Fashion Profile: Alice and the Pirates
Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland is a huge inspiration for Lolita fashion. The Gothic and Lolita Bible frequently features collections and photoshoots with a Wonderland theme. Alice, in her baby blue dress and white pinafore, serves as a style icon for Sweet Lolitas in particular. The influence, however, is the most straightforward yet original in the line, Alice and the Pirates.
Brand: Baby, the Stars Shine Bright
Line: Alice and the Pirates
Founders: Akinori Isobe and Fuyomi Isobe
Year Established: 2004
Website: http://www.babyssb.co.jp/shopping/pirates/index.html
A/P Alice Set from their current collection
Every Lolita knows and loves the brand Baby, the Stars Shine Bright. Its edgy, sophisticated counterpart, Alice and the Pirates, is quickly making a name for itself. In 2006, a store devoted to just Alice and the Pirates opened up in LaForet Harajuku. Helping spread the line overseas, the Baby stores in Paris and San Francisco carry the clothes too.
Alice and the Pirates is a little bit punk and gothic Lolita, a little bit boystyle, and definitely Alice in Wonderland and pirates. In fact, one of Baby’s designers, Kumiko Uehara, describes the premise as “what if [Alice] happened to find her way into a pirate world and gets to hang out with really cool pirates” (Umi).
Although the designs of Alice and the Pirates are reminiscent of the Western pirate punk and aristocratic goth styles, they remain close to Lolita and boystyle silhouettes. There are still knee-length dresses, cropped pants, and miniature hats. Vibrant jewel tones and rich blues mix with black and white, creating a more mature color palette. Although the ruffles and bows are still present, the ornamentation doesn’t overwhelm the dresses and jumpers. Adding to the elegance are the jewel embellishments and rose and stained glass motifs.
What really sets apart is the inclusion of masculine pieces: pants, vests, and ties. The cut of some of the blouses and jackets work for an androgynous style, and buttons and pinstripes replace the bows and roses. There’s even a variation on the high top sneaker. Alice and the Pirates is a truly versatile line (even my non-Lolita friends wants some of the clothes).
Left: Gathers Chiffon jumper skirt, which also comes in mauve, from current collection (official website). Right: J-pop/rock artist Nana Kitade models an ouji ensemble (from soujiokita at Minitokyo).
Resources
- “Avant Garde Japanese Street Fashion Labels Open Boutiques at New People in San Francisco This Summer.” Viz Pictures, Inc. 9 Jun. 2009. Web. 16 Apr. 2010.
- Umi. “Q&A with Kumiko Uehara, BTSSB Designer”. Carousel of Crowns. Wordpress, 22 Aug. 2009. Web. 16 Apr. 2010.
EDIT: Check out this compilation of prints and designs from Alice and the Pirates: community.livejournal.com/egl/15566083.html - posted by lingozero