Proof of Concept

Alexis Cornwell
Proposed Dissertation Enquiry
The focus of my dissertation is ‘Feminism within the Lolita Fashion movement.’ I wish to
explore the feminist idea’s and ideals that lie within the movement so as to assess whether
or not the movement would still be considered feminist as it is today.
To this end I would discuss the reasons and idea’s that founded the style within the context
of Japan before moving to the way these idea’s have shifted over time and with the
reception of the style in other cultures. I will explore the different cultural perceptions of
the style as there are differences in how the style is received across differing cultures. I
would also be exploring how and to what end the fashion enables the wearer to express
themselves and their identity. This would be through how much freedom the wearer has
over their interpretation of the style.
Ultimately my goal is to determine through the dissertation whether or not the style would
be considered feminist and whether that assessment would be true across multiple
cultures or not.
 Chapter 3 Case Study
In Chapter 3 I would be debating the degree to which Lolita fashion can be considered feminist
within different cultures. For this I would explore:
- How much freedom it affords the wearer.
- The perceptions it has in society.
- The idea’s behind the movement.
- The reasons people wear the fashion.
 Books
'Is fashion a woman's right?', Beckingham, Carolyn. Brighton: Sussex Academic Press, 2005
- Explores feminism within fashion. Will be useful when looking at the feminism of Lolita.
'Fresh lipstick : redressing fashion and feminism', Scott, Linda M., New York; Basingstoke: Palgrave
Macmillan, 2005.
- A look at fashion as a form of feminism as well as fashion as an expression of identity. May be
useful when discussing the feminist and expression within Lolita.
'Japanese street style', Lyttle, Pat., London : A. & C. Black, 2012.
- Shows many Japanese fashion subcultures. I think it may be useful for image references as well as
for comparisons between Lolita and other fashions.
'Fashioning Japanese subcultures', Kawamura, Yuniya,, London; New York: Berg Publishers, 2012.
- Looks at the evolution of subcultures in Japan, particularly those that deviated from using fashion
brought over from the western world and marketed to them. I think this will be useful as Lolita is a
subculture that evolved alongside many others in this book.
 Cont.
‘Japanese fashion cultures [electronic resource] : dress and gender in contemporary
Japan', Monden, Masafumi., London; New York: Bloomsbury Academic, 2015.
- This book looks at a more contemporary view of fashion within Japan. I think it will help with
looking at the way Lolita is seen in japan in current times.
'Japan fashion now', Steele, Valerie., New Haven, [Conn.]; London: Yale University Press, 2010.
- This book explores the evolution of Japanese fashion beginning in the 1980’s. I think it may be
useful when looking at the differences between Lolita and the norm and how Lolita tries to be
different.
‘Fashion as communication.’, Barnard, Malcolm, London : Routledge, 1996
- This book looks at fashion and the ways fashion is used to challenge idea’s such as those of gender
and social identities. I think it will be useful while discussing the messages Lolita portrays as well as
the ideas and messages the style wishes to portray.
Journals
‘Frills and Thrills: Lolita fashion explained’
https://www.academia.edu/12302374/Frills_and_Thrills_Lolita_fashion_explained
- This explores Lolita fashion from its roots through to its spread across cultures. I think it
will be useful when exploring the way Lolita grew in popularity as well as the fashions
origins.
Websites
‘Lolita Style: The hidden femininism of fairytale fashion fantasies’, Found At:
http://www.cityweekend.com.cn/beijing/article/lolita-style
- Explores the Lolita fashion within China. Useful for looking at Lolita through cultures.
Documentary
Lolitas Of Amsterdam | Style Out There | Refinery29
http://www.refinery29.com/amsterdam-lolita
- The documentary explores the Lolita community in The Netherlands through interviews
with members of that community. I think it will be useful in exploring the way Lolita
fashion has spread across culture as well as the perceptions of Lolita in other cultures.
Key Images

Figure 1, Sweet Lolita Fashion in stores Figure 2, Sweet Lolita store

Figure 3, Various Lolita fashion stores
Bibliography
• Beckingham, C, (2005) 'Is fashion a woman's right?', Brighton: Sussex Academic Press
• Scott, L, (2005) 'Fresh lipstick : redressing fashion and feminism', New York; Basingstoke:
Palgrave Macmillan
• Lyttle, P, (2012) 'Japanese street style', London : A. & C. Black
• Kawamura, Y, (2012) 'Fashioning Japanese subcultures', Kawamura, Yuniya,, London; New
York: Berg Publishers
• Monden, M, (2015) ‘Japanese fashion cultures [electronic resource] : dress and gender in
contemporary Japan', London; New York: Bloomsbury Academic
• Steele, V (2010) 'Japan fashion now', New Haven, [Conn.]; London: Yale University Press
• Barnard, M, (1996), ‘Fashion as communication.’, London : Routledge
• Lolitas Of Amsterdam | Style Out There | Refinery29, Found At:
http://www.refinery29.com/amsterdam-lolita
Image List
• Figure 1, https://savvytokyo.com/a-beginners-guide-to-harajukus-
lolita-fashion/
• Figure 2, http://www.lacarmina.com/blog/2010/09/sweet-lolita-
shopping-in-tokyo-japan-laforet-harajuku-angelic-pretty-putumayo-
nile-perch-atelier-pierrot/
• Figure 3, http://www.lacarmina.com/blog/2010/09/sweet-lolita-
shopping-in-tokyo-japan-laforet-harajuku-angelic-pretty-putumayo-
nile-perch-atelier-pierrot/