Lolita Dreams

  • Dates
    2021 - Ongoing
  • Author
  • Topics Editorial, Fine Art, Portrait
  • Location China, China

Lolita Dreams is a visual sociological research on the Lolita fashion subculture community in China. This exploration aims to delve into the influence of Lolita Fashion on their individuality, identity perception, lifestyle choices and consumption habits.

Lolita Dreams is a visual sociological research on the Lolita fashion subculture community in China. Lolita fashion is a subculture that originated in Japan and is primarily inspired by the clothing and general aesthetics of the Rococo and Victorian periods.

At first, it was a niche subculture where enthusiasts used this type of clothing to express their individuality and explore their identity. In the process of localisation, the subculture has merged with other mainstream cultures and subcultures, giving rise to numerous categories. At the same time, the phenomenon of de-Westerncentrism arose. Among young people, this culture is becoming increasingly popular. Gradually, lolita subculture has developed into an industry, generating economic benefits and getting a lot of fans on the internet.

As a foreign subculture, lolita fashion has inevitably had its ups and downs with the government-led mainstream culture and public opinion in the course of its development. I conduct interviews and portraits with Lolita enthusiasts of various ages, styles, physical appearances and genders. This exploration aims to delve into the influence of Lolita Fashion on their individuality, identity perception, lifestyle choices and consumption habits.

© Tianhu Yuan - Image from the Lolita Dreams photography project
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Wan Rui is now a Lolita model and an independent photographer. She usually sets up her camera on a tripod, takes self-portrait using a mobile app and then shares her Lolita photos on social media platforms.

© Tianhu Yuan - Image from the Lolita Dreams photography project
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After graduating from university, Jing zhi moved back to a small town near Chengdu, but still maintains close ties with the Chengdu Lolita community. Lolita has made her confident and cheerful, and has gained her a lot of attention.

© Tianhu Yuan - Image from the Lolita Dreams photography project
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Fu Yang is a first year university student and a fan of Lolita culture. She also gets paid to do make-up for cosplayers and Lolita fans who attend Anime Expo. For her, this kind of subculture is both a hobby and part of her leisure income.

© Tianhu Yuan - Image from the Lolita Dreams photography project
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Xiao Nan is the organiser of the Lolita Tea Party in Chengdu. In 2023, She organised a huge tea party that attracted over 150 Lolita enthusiasts. she took off her wig and I took this photo of her looking a little tired.

© Tianhu Yuan - Image from the Lolita Dreams photography project
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Lin Er is a male Lolita enthusiast known as Brolita. Men have always been a niche presence in the Lolita community. They are often seen as an anomaly both inside and outside the community.

© Tianhu Yuan - Image from the Lolita Dreams photography project
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Le Le is a Lolita costume and hanbok enthusiast who is preparing to study art in Japan this year. Before studying abroad, she spends her free time doing make-up for other enthusiasts.

© Tianhu Yuan - Image from the Lolita Dreams photography project
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La Pi works as an original illustrator at a gaming company. Influenced by a female classmate in college, she found Lolita fashion captivating and gradually developed a fondness for it. Nowadays, she occasionally wears Lolita outfits to work.

© Tianhu Yuan - Image from the Lolita Dreams photography project
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Lancy is a student who has loved Lolita for six years. At first she liked Lolita because it looked pretty, then she gradually adopted it as her everyday dressing style. She is independent and has made many friends with the Lolita community.

© Tianhu Yuan - Image from the Lolita Dreams photography project
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Xiao Fu began embracing Lolita fashion around 2016 and currently works as a teacher. Lolita has seamlessly integrated into her life, and she enjoys experimenting with various accessories to complement her outfits.

© Tianhu Yuan - Image from the Lolita Dreams photography project
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Mo Su developed an interest in Lolita fashion around 2018, enjoying both Gothic and Classic styles. Often on Fridays, she wears Lolita attire to the office. As she closes the office door at the end of the day, she feels liberated.

© Tianhu Yuan - Image from the Lolita Dreams photography project
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Cha You is currently in her third year of high school. She prefers dresses that have a narrative design, where the patterns resonate with her inner self, symbolizing how different traits construct a complete version of herself.

© Tianhu Yuan - Image from the Lolita Dreams photography project
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Xiao Sheng finished high school. I met her at a Lolita party. She had bought two new dresses during the summer holidays. She asked me to take some pictures of her wearing her new dress.

© Tianhu Yuan - Image from the Lolita Dreams photography project
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Fan Qie and Xiong Xiaomi were high school friends. It appears to be the first time they have been photographed together. They chose a twins Lolita dress with black and white. It is a style from ACG-related maid dress.

© Tianhu Yuan - Image from the Lolita Dreams photography project
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Cindy began following Lolita fashion around 2022 and is currently a sophomore in college. She mentioned that Lolita has made her feel more refined and confident, also instilling in her a sense of being uniquely independent and cool in her own way.

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