{"id":35,"date":"2025-01-10T21:24:51","date_gmt":"2025-01-10T21:24:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lolitafashionhistory.com\/?post_type=timeline&p=35"},"modified":"2025-01-28T14:31:43","modified_gmt":"2025-01-28T14:31:43","slug":"2000s","status":"publish","type":"timeline","link":"https:\/\/lolitafashionhistory.com\/ja\/Timeline\/2000s\/","title":{"rendered":"2000’s"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The 2000s marked Lolita fashion\u2019s expansion beyond Japan, fueled by the internet and cultural exports like anime and visual kei. Two waves of Western interest can be identified during this decade. The first wave, spanning 2000\u20132005, was heavily tied to Japanese rock and visual kei. Early Western blogs and forums referred to the fashion as \u201cElegant Gothic Lolita\u201d (EGL), popularized by Mana-sama and associated with the visual kei subculture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During this time, Western fans relied on proxy buyers or Japanese friends to acquire Lolita clothing, as Japanese brands did not yet ship overseas. Some entrepreneurial fans even started their own Lolita-inspired accessory lines to make the fashion more accessible in the West.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The second wave, beginning in the mid-2000s, coincided with the overseas availability of the Gothic & Lolita Bible<\/em> and the release of Kamikaze Girls<\/em>. These cultural artifacts allowed newcomers to appreciate Lolita fashion as a standalone aesthetic, separate from its musical origins. By the late 2000s, major brands like Baby, the Stars Shine Bright began offering international shipping, further cementing Lolita\u2019s global reach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Japan, the rise of online forums allowed Lolitas from rural areas to participate in discussions and build communities. This decade also saw a subtle rebranding within the fashion. To distance themselves from Vladimir Nabokov\u2019s novel, Japanese Lolitas began writing \u201cLolita\u201d as \u201c\u30ed\u30ea\u30a3\u30bf\u201d rather than \u201c\u30ed\u30ea\u30fc\u30bf.\u201d While the pronunciation remained the same, the new spelling signified a conscious effort to redefine the term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lolita fashion also shifted towards more opulent designs, with brands like Baby, the Stars Shine Bright focusing on \u201coff-duty princess\u201d looks. This move may have been a deliberate attempt to differentiate Lolita from other girly styles, such as gyaru.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2009, the Japanese government launched the Kawaii Ambassador program to promote Japanese pop culture abroad. Misako Aoki, one of the first ambassadors, played a significant role in introducing Lolita fashion to international audiences.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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TIMELINE<\/h2>\n\n\n
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Baby, The Stars Shine Bright<\/strong> (\u30d9\u30a4\u30d3\u30fc\u30fb\u30b6\u30fb\u30b9\u30bf\u30fc\u30ba\u30fb\u30b7\u30e3\u30a4\u30f3\u30fb\u30d6\u30e9\u30a4\u30c8) 2000:
Expanded by opening its first independent store in Daikanyama, Tokyo.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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Closet child launches their online storefront, contributing the ease of purchasing lolita fashion<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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kerouac becomes kera magazine in march 2000.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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h.NAOTO (\u30a8\u30a4\u30c1\u30fb\u30ca\u30aa\u30c8) 2000: A Japanese fashion brand founded by designer Naoto Hirooka under the company Think, known for its diverse offerings spanning punk, goth-lolita, cosplay, biker, and military styles. Hirooka, a graduate of the Bunka Fashion College, joined Think in 1999 and launched h.NAOTO in January 2000.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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in 2000, Takemoto novala releases his debut novel mishin<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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The Gothic & Lolita Bible begins publication in 2001 as a spin off to Kera<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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The Livejournal EGL group is created December 30th 2001<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\n\t20<\/span>\n\t01<\/span>\n\n\t
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Juliette et Justine<\/strong> (\u30b8\u30e5\u30ea\u30a8\u30c3\u30c8\u30fb\u30a8\u30fb\u30b8\u30e5\u30b9\u30c6\u30a3\u30fc\u30cc) 2001: Founded in Amagasaki, Hyogo, Juliette et Justine focuses on Gothic Lolita fashion with a classical and elegant design. Known for its mature aesthetics, the brand\u2019s flagship store is the only direct-operated store, and customers must make a reservation to visit. The brand\u2019s name is derived from the sisters in the works of Marquis de Sade. It was created by Mari Nakamura, who had previously been the designer for Victorian Maiden but left to create Juliette et Justine after a falling-out with the brand\u2019s owner.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\n\t20<\/span>\n\t01<\/span>\n\n\t
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Jesus Diamante<\/strong> (\u30b8\u30fc\u30b6\u30b9\u30c7\u30a3\u30a2\u30de\u30f3\u30c6) 2001: A popular \u201cHime Lolita\u201d (Princess Lolita) brand, known for its opulent designs. Often classified under Lolita fashion, the brand is recognized for its extravagant princess-like aesthetics.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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In 2001 Pretty rebranded as Angelic Pretty, becoming an independent brand and acting as a select shop.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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Triple Fortune is founded in 2001<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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KiKi\u2019s Closet<\/strong> (\u5371\u6a5f\u88f8\u88f8\u5546\u5e97) 2002: Established in 2002 by designer KiKi, this Gothic brand specializes in one-of-a-kind corsets and hats, often inspired by the fictional \u201cKikirara Island.\u201d The brand is unique for incorporating unusual patterns like checkered, motorcycle, and tomato motifs. KiKi\u2019s Closet<\/strong> also provides costumes for artists like faith<\/em>, Poitrine<\/em>, and ALI PROJECT<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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Shimotsuma Monogatari is published in 2002<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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in 2002, metamorphose was the first lolita brand to create an english website. this made lolita fshion more accessible to oversea customers.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\n\t20<\/span>\n\t03<\/span>\n\n\t
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Mary Magdalene (\u30e1\u30a2\u30ea\u30fc\u30fb\u30de\u30b0\u30c0\u30ec\u30f3) 2003: Founded by Rieko Tanaka, a former designer at Victorian Maiden. The brand doesn\u2019t have a flagship store but is sold through select shops like KERA! SHOP and ATELIER-PIERROT. The brand\u2019s name derives from Mary Magdalene in the Bible, symbolizing the duality of innocence and sensuality in women.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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in 2003, KAWAIKO (\u304b\u308f\u3044\u3053), became the first French brand inspired by Gothic Lolita fashion. Designer Corinne Proust founded it in 2003. In 2007, the first store opened in Paris. The brand is known for its Gothic Lolita style with a French twist, inspired by Japanese Harajuku fashion. It also integrates anime aesthetics, with character designs created by Japanese female artists. this cements lolita fashion as a truly \u201cglobal fashion\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\n\t20<\/span>\n\t04<\/span>\n\n\t
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Shimotsuma monogatari theatrical release in japan<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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in 2004, The film \u201cpeep \u2018tv\u2019 show\u201d was released featuring a gothic lolita navigating a post 9\/11 surveillance state. this film was played in international film festivals, bringing awareness of lolita fashion to the general public. western publications, such as the new york post, wrote articles about this film spreading the term \u201cgothloli\u201d (or gosuloli) to america.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\n\t20<\/span>\n\t04<\/span>\n\n\t
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ALICE and the PIRATES 2004: Founded as a new punk inspired line under Baby, The Stars Shine Bright.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\n\t20<\/span>\n\t05<\/span>\n\n\t
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The EGL Livejournal community create \u2018Loliday\u2019 or international lolita day in 2005. It is the first Saturday of June & December each year.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\n\t20<\/span>\n\t07<\/span>\n\n\t
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Japan expo is held is 2007, showcasing a plethora of lolita brands like angelic pretty, baby, fairy wish, and black piece now. this helped lolita fashion continue to gain international recognition.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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The american indie brand sweet rococo launched in 2008, letting customers design their own lolita dresses.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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Lumiebre<\/strong> (\u30eb\u30df\u30a8\u30fc\u30d6\u30eb) 2008: A gothic and Gothic Lolita brand founded by Ake Handkerchief Co. in 2008 as a parasol brand. It later expanded to include other items. The brand officially ended product releases in the spring of 2021 but continued selling remaining stock.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\n\t20<\/span>\n\t09<\/span>\n\n\t
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Model Misako Aoki is appointed Japan\u2019s official Kawaii Ambassador in 2009<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\n\t20<\/span>\n\t09<\/span>\n\n\t
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in 2009, Lolita brands continue to expand overseas with baby opening a store in san francisco and angelic pretty opening a store in paris.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The 2000s marked Lolita fashion\u2019s expansion beyond Japan, fueled by the internet and cultural exports like anime and visual kei. Two waves of Western interest can be identified during this decade. The first wave, spanning 2000\u20132005, was heavily tied to Japanese rock and visual kei. Early Western blogs and forums referred to the fashion as \u201cElegant Gothic Lolita\u201d (EGL), popularized by Mana-sama and associated with the visual kei subculture. During this time, Western fans relied on proxy buyers or Japanese friends to acquire Lolita clothing, as Japanese brands did not yet ship overseas. Some entrepreneurial fans even started their own Lolita-inspired accessory lines to make the fashion more accessible in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":36,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"timeline","class_list":["post-35","timeline","type-timeline","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lolitafashionhistory.com\/ja\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/timeline\/35","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lolitafashionhistory.com\/ja\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/timeline"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lolitafashionhistory.com\/ja\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/timeline"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lolitafashionhistory.com\/ja\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lolitafashionhistory.com\/ja\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=35"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lolitafashionhistory.com\/ja\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/36"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lolitafashionhistory.com\/ja\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=35"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}