Getting to Know: Mary Moos and the Lolita Fashion Part 5

Please read Part 4 of the interview before reading Part 5

In a Metamorphose dress with her fellow Philly lolitas,
including her sister Gini

Perspectives continuation

To all those who may want to try out the fashion, whether as every day wear or for special occasions/events, Moos has some advice for you to keep in mind. “The first, and most important thing, is that although there are guidelines to lolita fashion, it's ultimately an aesthetic choice you are making to please yourself, not your friends, your romantic partner, or the internet.” I agree with Moos on this one. Fashion is an expression of oneself. You should be wearing the style that makes you happy. Even if the style is not common or may not be likable to others, it is your fashion choice, not others. However, Moos did point out that, “you have to have the cupcake silhouette and other thematic necessities to call it ‘lolita’…remember that you're still allowed to maintain your personal sense of style.” To assist one in their research in the lolita fashion characteristics, Moos suggests that “before spending a single penny on anything lolita-related, read the Lolita Handbook. Then read it again. Look at scans and look at outfits that the girls wear on the Daily Lolita community. Observe the criticisms girls get because they'll probably be the same obstacles you face.” Once you have familiarize yourself with the fashion, Moos also suggests that “in more practical terms, when you feel you really have a handle on the style, start with foundation pieces: a white blouse, a petticoat, and bloomers. These are elements pretty much every lolita can use and coordinate with. From there, work your way up to skirts of jumper skirts or one piece dresses, but don't do anything till you have a petticoat!” In addition to Moos’s input, mine is to remember to make sure you have enough money and check the creditability of the seller, such as communication skills to outfit quality, before purchasing and to avoid being scammed.

Because of the growing interest of the lolita fashion in the United States, from designers to Tokyopop’s English version of the Gothic and Lolita Bible, I wanted to know what is Moos’s opinion on the future of the lolita fashion in the US market. What would she like to see happen? “Lolita is attracting more awareness in the United States with the opening of the Baby the Stars Shine Bright store in San Francisco, the opening of the Tokyo Rebel store in New York, and the visits from Angelic Pretty designers to some west coast conventions. I think it's probably seeing a peak in popularity that no one could have anticipated, and that's great. Now that we have attention from the Japanese designers, I'd like to see people invest more in homegrown designers over here. I'd like to see a really original American outgrowth of lolita that can diverge a little from just replication of Japanese designers.”

Afterwards

We are reaching the conclusion of the interview and article. Even though Moos is a lover of lolita fashion, there is something else that she is interested in. “Well, if lolita were second to anything in my life, it'd be music. But fortunately they're not mutually exclusive! Stylistically I'd be wearing an odd mix of 60s mod, 50s rockabilly, and hideous day-glo/metallic/leopard print stuff because that's already what I wear outside of, or sometimes in combination with, lolita.”

The lolita fashion population is growing outside of Japan and evolving through different interpretations of styles, Moos feels that she has accomplished what she wanted in the lolita fashion. “All I wanted to accomplish was to wear the clothes, and I've gotten to do way more than that. I've been so fortunate to become brave enough to wear the clothes I've wanted to wear, model for a few small lolita fashion shows and to speak on a few panels. The most important thing that I'm unbelievably thankful for are the friends that I've made as a result of the lolita fashion community. Even if I grow out of the clothing, I'll always be grateful for them.”
© 2010 Linda Thai

Thank you Mary Moos for the photograph! Thank you Mary Moos for participating in the interview! Thank you for checking out Mary Moos and Lolita Fashion!