Volunteers Needed for Research Study on Lolita Fashion

[msm0923]

Hello, my name is Miranda Williams and I am a PhD student in the Department of Consumer, Apparel, and Retail Studies at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG), USA. I am studying how Lolitas use dress items to construct their identity. Primarily, I am researching what it is like to be a Lolita and how this impacts the everyday

Comments

[msm0923]

Thank you so much for your feedback. I'm happy to share more about my research! The message that I uploaded to the forum was a general one approved by the institutional review board (IRB), but I can certainly give more details about what I'm looking for, how much knowledge I have, etc.

I started researching the Lolita subculture this past summer as part of an independent study for my degree. My younger sister is part of the Lolita community (specifically the North Carolitas) and her passion for it really sparked my interest. By attending local events with her, I gained a working knowledge of the Lolita subculture and wanted to know more about how the group's feelings, beliefs, and values fit in with mainstream culture.

One thing that I noticed immediately is that the present day Lolita subculture (in the US) is vastly different from the 1980s Japanese Lolita subculture. When Lolitas first emerged in Japan, they used a deviant style of dress as a means of defying traditional adult roles. Now, that is not the case. Lolitas have evolved into a postmodern subculture of consumption that focuses on branding and inter-group relationships.

To date, I have conducted background research on the Lolita subculture and interviewed five participants. I am looking for a total of fifteen participants before I take the study to a Pop Culture conference (PCA/ACA) later this spring. Per the IRB application I submitted, all participants must be 18 years of age or older and have actively participated in the subculture for at least one year. Also, all of the participants must currently be living in the United States.

This study is completely voluntary and individuals who do participate remain anonymous. Their identity is protected through a "Consent to Act as a Human Participant" form. If at any time, during or after the study, a participant elects to withdraw, he/she is free to do so without penalty and the information he/she shared with me will be destroyed.

One last thing that I want to mention is that I'm happy to share approved research documents, interview questions, prior research, etc. with any interested parties. I'm not sure if/how I can upload documents to the egl forum, but I can certainly share them through email (mswilli8@uncg.edu).

Thanks again, so much, for your feedback and questions! If I can answer anything else, please let me know.

Have a great day,

Miranda

[cling123]

I agree that the sample is very, very small, even for qualitative research. Especially as you don't seem to have any other selection criteria than + 18, wearing lolita for at least a year and living in the US. Whilst living in the US and 18+ are criteria that cannot be discussed, wearing lolita is very vague. What do you consider lolita? And how many times should that type of clothing be worn to talk about wearing lolita? (f.e. does dressing up once every 2 months for a meeting means that person wears lolita?)
Not every lolita is part of a group.
I share carmidoll's fear for generalisation.

[msm0923]

I completely agree with both of you. It is a small sample to make generalizations and I am, by no means, trying to make everyone fit into a certain mold. I understand that every Lolita is different and it would take many interviews before a point of saturation could be reached. The fifteen participants that I mentioned is for a conference presentation and my goal with this presentation is to highlight the participants' voices.

In the introduction/lit review section of my paper, I mention the Gothic and Lolita Bible quite a bit....as a guideline for dress. With that said, I also state that each group has different rules/norms put in place. I know that Lolitas in North Carolina may have a different set of standards than Lolitas in California. That's why I want to expand my study outside of North Carolina. I want to show the diversification and not pigeon hole the subculture.

With the five interviews that have already been conducted, I have found some overlap in the responses. For example, the majority of Lolitas stated that the dress gave them confidence and made them feel nostalgic. While the styles and ways Lolitas consume may be different, some of the overarching ideas and feelings are the same.

I plan to continue this study (after the conference) and gather additional participants. It would be an absolute necessity before anything valid and reliable could be published. There is not a lot of academic research on the subculture and I would love the opportunity to show my respect and appreciation for it through my writing.

I want to personally thank both of you for the suggestions, constructive criticism, etc. that you have given me. It is extremely helpful and I know it's going to make me a better researcher.

[cling123]

Best of luck with your research!
It is always easy to criticise research questions & methods:)

[msm0923]

I agree...but it is always welcomed and greatly appreciated :)

[brunosty]

I think you are missing the sewing lolitas. There are a lot in western parts of the world, as in Japan.
It is not necessary to be an "authentic expensive brand dress", to be a lolita.

I have sewn myself things before buying, and when I could afford, I started buying "brand", however the feeling of doing your own dress is something that cannot be fullfilled with "branding".

It is admired by girls in the community to sew your own dresses, and also admired by external people.

I think is not only "branding", as you said there, but there is a very interesting commercial psychology there, such as market pressure (A given dress sold out, or just going to be bought. Desired pieces, not exactly worn, collectionism)

Im not from the US...

Good luck, and I wish I can see the results!