Gothic Lolita Terms A-Z by Mihara Mitsukazu

From the article "Mihara Mitsukazu presents Gothic Lolita Life", EGL Bible vol. 3, pg. 85-89, January 10, 2002.

(Note prefacing the article from the author: How are you guys? It's Mihara Mitsukazu, the manga artist. On these pages, not only should your clothing and rooms be Gothic, but also your spirits! This a Gothic Lolita version of the "Life Notebook" dedicated to you. Please read it carefully! I chose my favorite Gothic & Lolita keywords with prejudice and dogmatically. In addition, I will explain them how I please. )
A - Angel

The first word is angel. This is a perfect Gothic Lolita image. An angel has two sides. They have lovely faces, but they can also be “fallen angels”, making them more than a cute face. I think it shares the same feeling as Gothic Lolita. Spiritually, it’s an essential element of Gothic Lolita.

B - Bustier

Originally, it meant "long bra without shoulder straps" in French. In design, many are cut horizontally on the bust line. This is a perfect item for Gothic Lolitas to make beautiful silhouettes. I personally like Victorian Maiden bustiers.

C - Corset

A type of women's underwear for adjusting the body shape from below the chest to the waist. It is an indispensable item for lovers of the Gothic and Gothic Lolita. When the corset is tightening the body, isn’t it also tightening the mind? An item with an “uncomfortable aesthetic” rooted in the Gothic spirit. I think it shows the connection between fashion and spirit.

D - Drawers

Impressive underwear with a relaxed medieval-styled silhouette. A comfortable item.

Isn't it an item that is indispensable to Lolita, but also a "symbol" for the fashion? Personally, I like them with “ladder lace”. The lace peeking from under the skirt is a fundamental.

E - Edward Gorey

This is my favorite picture book writer. The themes of his drawings are grave, but they are shown in a humorous way. However, precisely because he understands the essence of the serious themes, he is able to make them humorous. I guess this feeling goes with Gothic Lolita. What don't you study an "adult" sort of fun through his work?

G - Gothic

Gothic is a decadent and sexual image for me, unlike Lolita. In the fashion, you can emphasize the body line and the show off some skin. Also, through the fashion, you are isolating yourself from normal society. It's always feeling like a "minority". In addition, it's often persecuted or hunted and there's a strength to it's exclusiveness and solidarity. A spiritual world.

H - Headdress

A general term for headwear. By the way, headdresses have diversified. When I saw a round headdress I thought "dohya!!" (A sound and look of shock.) Now that there are many different colors and types, I'm glad that they can be changed to suit your outfit. Personally, I like the "antique-type", firm types. (Versus soft type headdresses?)

L - Lolita

No matter what anyone says, Lolitas want to be ascetic. Even if you are greedy, don't show it on your surface. The image I visualize is a "grown and distant ice girl". It has a fairy-tale manner, but it's also cruel. This is the essence of children. I feel the unique strength of a child's ego from Lolita. Also, unlike Gothic, Lolitas have the image of being lonely. They enjoy playing alone.

P - Panie (Pannier)

An underskirt to expand or inflate the skirt. At one point Chiaki (Chiaki Fujimoto) wore them and there was a trend. Functionally, it's based on the crinoline (a 19th century undergarment used to inflate skirts), but it's cuter. An excellent item that accents the hips, makes the waist look thinner, and emphasizes good fashion.

S - Skull A skeleton, not just a skull, but all bones. The other day I had the opportunity to handle real bones. Real bones are very beautiful. I imagined it would be a sad experience, but it was completely different than what I expected. Somehow, there is no lies or hesitations in bones. Conversely, the flesh around the bones is pained and yearns for earthly desires. To me, bones are not an item of horror, but an item of meditation.

T - Tim Burton He's a Gothic film director whose works focus on the serious world surrounding death and near-death experiences, but he is able to laugh at these serious themes, which is a rarity. In his works, inhibitions and complexes are always a theme. In this, I feel sympathy. His wife Lisa Marie, an actress who is also Gothic, is very lovely.

V - Vampire
Vampires are irresistible without being influenced by time or trends. They are well-know in the origins of Gothic. A commonality between Goths and Vampires is persecution and thus, they are closely united. The makeup is pale, the lips ruddy, and there's an air of authority. It is a symbol of the hunted.

W - Witch

I want to be a witch! Since I don't have to be neutral or middle-of-the road within Lolita, I suddenly want to be a witch. (laughs) I wonder why there are so many witches and children drawn in works like movies and books? Is the common point between the two their separation from sexual desire and earthly wants?

Y - You
To you reading this magazine. I especially like Gothic Lolitas. It's because no matter who does Gothic Lolita, isn't it a subculture that is easily abused? Nevertheless, I love the spirit of "jumping in a battlefield and daring to survive". From now on, no matter what is said, please walk without hesitation.

Z - Zougo (Coined terms)
The word "Gothic Lolita" is a coined term. "Gothic", "Lolita", and "Gothic Lolita" are three different things. "Goth" and "Gothic Lolita" are different and "Lolita" and "Gothic Lolita" are completely different. It's difficult to define. Once before, Mana-sama has said they are "Lolita girls living in the world of the Gothic and a Gothic"-I think this is Gothic Lolita, also. Because it's a new genre, I look forward to future growth! I want to keep watching it!

Mihara Mitsukazu
Born in Hiroshima and lives in Tokyo.
A comic artist who loves Gothic Lolita. Many fans are drawn to Mihara's unique world and characters.
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