Gothic Girl Wear

They may look like prim and proper Victorian schoolgirls - but don’t be fooled.

While thousands of people traded cards, played video games and imitated their favourite sci-fi characters at the Armageddon Pulp Culture Expo, some came dressed to the nines in “Lolita” fashion.

The style - outrageously quaint but with a twist - hails from Japan and has nothing to do with the famous Vladimir Nabokov novel of the same name, Bryony Kentfield, 19, of Palmerston North, said.

“It’s a very cute, innocent little-girl look. I like that, but it’s also a little bit twisted, so I’ll wear a cross with a Gothic outfit, for example.”

“Gothic Lolita” and “Sweet Lolita” are the two main styles, differentiated by the darker side in the Gothic variant, she said.

Lisa Bonanni, 26, of Palmerston North, said she liked the contrasts in the costumes.

“I like the contrast with an adult wearing a childish fashion, and also the colour of the sweet dress with the darker aspects of it.”

Felice Gazo, 17, of Lower Hutt, who is new to the fashion, said it was different to mainstream pop culture.

“It’s so beautiful and elegant. I love the frilly dresses.”

As for the expo bustling around them, Felice said it was brilliant.

“It’s a tradition for me - I go every year when I can.”

Organiser Adele Geradts said about 14,000 people had been through the doors over the two days.

“I think it’s been one of our best shows ever in Wellington. We’ve had a lot of people saying `what a wonderful line-up’.”
- Source: Little girl Goths, The Dominion Post, 23 April 2007l