Inspirations: 5 Things That Keep Me Rolling

So, after a serious, depressing post last week...


... I'm back with something a bit more light-hearted! I get asked a lot by my non-loli friends about what inspires me, what keeps me going in this fashion that I envelope myself in. And, when I share this, some people seem to be surprised.

1) Music - music is my everything (hence why I wish to be a music teacher). This band in particular, Versailles, is one of the few things in my life that keeps me sane. While most Asian "musicians" are groomed and marketed based on appearance, not sound, Versailles is different. Their take on symphonic-metal really moves me. Unlike most genres of metal, their music is more harmonic, their guitar lines are more melodic, and there's an essence of beauty in it. These elements are some of what saved me from offing myself (see my last post) and to them, I am eternally grateful. They continue to help me search for beauty and peace in myself as well as in the world.

2) Fans - in both the Western and Eastern world, hand-held fans are the epitome of ladyship. Dainty and precious, they veil ladies behind a thin sheet of silk, lace, or paper, enough to give an air of mystery about them (whilst being practical in cooling one down. Ladies' clothing back in the day was very heavy). Which is why I am so crazy for them. I sort of want to start a collection, starting with the one my father brought me from Japan when I was rather little. It is the only thing I own that is acceptably pink, and it is gorgeous. Dainty silk, with a butterfly and tree painted on it in white and rose. It reminds me if the aesthetic I wish to pursue.

3) Grell Sutcliffe - okay, this is the one that really throws people off. But yes, one of my biggest inspirations in life, not just lolita, is Grell Sutcliffe. Why the hell is it Grell? Because she is FANTASTIC. Why use the feminine pronoun? Because she is MTF transgendered. She identifies as a woman, and therefore I call her as a woman. In the series Kuroshitsuji / Black Butler (manga, anime, and musicals), she is treated like absolute crap. She serves as comic relief because she gets so much physical and emotional abuse. Her colleagues refer to her as "that thing" and tell her to her face that everyone would be happier if she retired. However, despite this, she still stands tall and believes fully in herself and in her beauty. Someone calls her horrendous, and she
will do anything to prove otherwise. Her self-confidence is one of the greatest inspirations to me.

4) Religion- This one is touchy, but bear with me - no matter how I phrase it, people are going to be miffed at me. Motifs drawn from the religious have been rampant in lolita (looking at you, MmM). Crosses churches, stained-glass, angels, cherubim, seraphim, gravestones... they ultimately all have some sort of religious backing. FOR EXAMPLE, Moi-Meme-Moitie recently released a print (pictured above) featuring Archangels. Archangels have religious significance for Christians, Jews, and Muslims, as they are the highest of Angels. Considering that this is a fashion based on Western clothing, I can see why they are such common motifs - they are beautiful in art. It may just be the fact that I am a girl in faith. I don't know. I find them to be beautiful in design (mostly... that print doesn't sit well with me, MmM.) and reminds me of where I come from.


5) Phantom of the Opera - In my opinion, this is the best gothic-lolita tale ever. Darkness, seduction, music, love, passion, mourning... this story has it all. Both the musical and the original book have my high praises ("Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again" is a song I would kill to perform wearing lolita). The mystery and darkness is beautiful, and the story reminds me of the simple fact that we are all human. We all have our stories, our emotions... we are all human. Some of us are skilled beyond belief, but we are all still human. It is a story that moves me, and the music is basically my life soundtrack. It is the "Alice in Wonderland" equivalent for the Gothic Lolita. I think we need to see some more Phatom-inspired pieces! (Alice and the Pirates already did this with their Masquerade Theater print... still my dream OP!)

So, my friends... what inspires you? In Lolita, or in Life? Please share!

Feel free to e-mail me at lune.x.noire@gmail.com!

*** all images found on GOOGLE.***