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The Lolita Complex: - Scholarly Commons Home

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Online Communities<br />

My involvement in the globalised <strong>Lolita</strong> movement and my actual position<br />

as an “insider” is explained in the conclusion to this thesis, “<strong>The</strong> Death of a<br />

Subculture?”. In regard to methods of research, however, I obtain my<br />

“insider” information from a membership which is largely achieved via the<br />

virtual world of global online communities, such as social networking sites<br />

and blogs. Although I have visited Tokyo and have experienced<br />

participation in the subculture in Japan, the UK, Sydney and New Zealand, I<br />

also apply “insider” knowledge gleaned from personal communications with<br />

likeminded Gothloli worldwide, in the real world and in virtual space.<br />

Masafumi Monden (2008) discusses the validity of this method in the<br />

article, “Transcultural Flow of Demure Aesthetics: Examining Cultural<br />

Globalisation through Gothic & <strong>Lolita</strong> Fashion”. While global Gothloli may<br />

be physically separated from Japan and the Japanese movement, it is<br />

through online communities that they are united. Via virtual space, Gothloli,<br />

worldwide, become educated in the rules and regulations pertaining to <strong>Lolita</strong><br />

subcultural style, manners, and behaviour, and can keep up with the latest<br />

developments, fashions, events, and practices. It is also a means of accessing<br />

the music that Gothloli listen to and even communicating with celebrity<br />

musicians, artists and designers associated with the phenomenon. This<br />

method of interaction is particularly pertinent for Gothloli who live outside<br />

major centres, whereby real-life participation and congregation is impossible.<br />

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