The Lolita Complex: - Scholarly Commons Home

That men are largely not attracted to the Gothloli look is apparent not
only in Japan but elsewhere. “BeliaMadHatter”, age 23 from Stuttgart, thinks
that for her “the style can be sexy” but she says “I don’t think that many
men think a Lolita is sex [sic]…. My boyfriend for example and the most
other friends of me [sic] don’t like it”. *
The purpose behind the Gothloli look or its actual intention is also not,
as Naoto has stressed, about attracting men. What is of foremost
importance to Lolita is that they dress for themselves and for their
girlfriends and to compete with and impress other girls.
“Ashy”, a 19-year-old Auckland Gothloli, reiterates Naoto’s
observations, claiming that “women are entitled to choice of [sic] how they
portray themselves… [and Lolita] fashion isn’t held [up] as the media ideal
of beauty nor is it generally used to entice men. It’s completely for the
woman’s enjoyment”.
†
There is also a sense of girl power amongst Lolita communities.
Gothloli “Harcole” from Nordrhein-Westfalen says that what she likes most
about the subculture are the friendships she makes with like-minded girls.
She states: “We meet about two to three times a month and we visit
churches, castles (Germany has a lot), make fotos [sic], go to a café or a
* Personal communication between “Angelic Lolita” and “BeliaMadHatter” (Stuttgart, Germany)
on MySpace, www.myspace.com/botticelliangel_nz, 17 January, 2010.
† Personal communication between “Angelic Lolita” and “Ashy” (Auckland, New Zealand) on
MySpace, www.myspace.com/botticelliangel_nz, 17 January, 2010.
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