Lolita Fashion in Music
Recently I found myself going through an old folder on my computer labelled “lolita music”. I scrolled through, eyes lit up by so many sounds of the past. It put me through a kind of Lolita Music through the ages feeling. For those who are in the know and those that aren’t I present to you (a very unofficial list of) Lolita Musical Artists throughout history! Malice Mizer (1992)/ Moi Dix Mois (2002) / Mana
For the old school ladies, Mana is a staple in the mostly original “Gothic” side of the fashion. Back in the early 2000′s, if you tried to find a sample image of lolita style, the simple black and white silhouette with crunched up Little Annie curls were all the rage in this fashion. Mana “sama” was the front of this type of look in all of the magazines and promotional wear. Their music closely inspired and entertained the wearers of Gothic Lolitas everywhere.
Psycho Le Cemu (1999)
This band is known for their styling being troped with each band member portraying popular video game and anime characters in japan. However the bands’ guitarist and dancer, Aya, was a popular readers model in Gothic and Lolita Bibles of the past. As “The Girl” of the band, Aya was always adorned in very over the top lolita-esque styling. Moon Kana (2000)
Cover your ears for this one. No really. Moon Kana (aside from Mana) was my intro into lolita fashion. She was also another popular readers model for Gothic and Lolita Bible as well as one of the first lolita styled solo artists of the time. However she does look entirely adorable…her music is a little bit….eccentric. Nervous laughter. Why not find out for yourself? Nana Kitade (2003)
In her video for ”Kiss or Kiss” she rocks around in her own very interesting sub style of the fashion, “punk lolita”. Baby, the Stars Shine Bright took note of this and used her as a reader model in the earlier editions of the Gothic and Lolita Bible and Kera. “However, in 2009 after her hiatus due to illness, Kitade stopped wearing Lolita clothing.” She was very popular among western lolitas when it came to early punk lolita styling! Ali Project (1988 active / 2000′s lolita presence)
Ali Project’s aristocratic style transcends into her music. In fact their now transitional types of sounds it what attracted me to them in the first place. Her music can go from a whirlwind of harmonious strings to an intense guitar riff accompanied by electronic drum beats. (I especially love her earlier work!) It’s a lot of fun to listen to while you get ready for a meet. Kokusoyku Sumire (2004)
This duo Yuka, and Sachi are a blast from the past right? Originally they owned a cabaret in Tokyo here Tim Burton, yes Tim Burton, would visit! It has since closed down but they were most known for their classical twist style mixed French Chanson, and Japanese songs. They are very much still active as a new youtube channel that was updated recently in August 2018! Aural Vampire (2004)
Get your strobe lights ready for this artist. With dark and illustrative visuals, Aural Vampire is known for her infectious EDM beats and melancholic vocals. She has been seen repping gothic lolita brands in both Kera Magazine and the Gothic Lolita Bible. Yōsei Teikoku (1997 active / 2005 lolita presence)
Yeah, this band has been AROUND. They have always been strutting in very gothic inspired clothing but it wasn’t until the early 2000′s where they started to don a more lolita style for the vocalist. Versailles (2007)
Versailles isn’t entirely a lolita based band, however the band memeber Hizaki is known for wearing lolita, and lolita inspired outfits. His presence in the band landed him modeling opportunities for Alice and the pirates and Btssb, who they collborated with on and off with throughout the years. Lolita Komplex (2007)
Hey now, not all of the artists here have to be Japanese. Lolita Komplex is an Austrian group formed Gothic Heavy Metal band that has a female lead vocalist who wears lolita! The bandmates periodically range their clothing from gothic to boy-style at times too. Disacode (2007)
Super popular Kera and GLB model Akira formed this visual kei band in 2007! They seem to not be active at the moment but their music in the past has been quite good! Give them a listen if you’re really into V-kei music. Kanon Wakeshima (2008)
If you’re a weeb like me you may have first heard of this breakout artist’s song from Vampire Knight, however her talent on the cello shouldn’t be limited to anime ending OST’s. Mana from above personally sought to work with this artist to create her first album. Iruma Rioka (2008)
This artist blends classical, goth, and rock all in one in a very playful style. Her impressive vocal range dances around the melody in a way that really demands your attention. Schwarz stein /Femme Fatale/ Kaya (2001-present)
I feel like there’s so much to say about Kaya’s presence in the Lolita community that they deserve a post all to themselves really. I’ll leave you with the fun fact that they were invited to Ru Pauls Drag Con recently. Yeah! Haha Meltia Idol Project (2014)
This Idol group started off with a bang in the lolita community, as they danced in very popular Angelic Pretty pieces, they were the first of their kind, as an “all lolita” adorned group.
I hope I introduced you to some bands you listened to before, or that you will learn to love now! Please let me know what you thought of this list and if you think I missed anyone! Thank you again for reading and I hope you all enjoyed this history of lolita in the Music Industry!
Honorable Mentions:
Lolitina (Misako)
MC Melody
Kerli
Kalafina
Love Solfege
Chihaya Kosugiyama
Yukari Tamura
Lil Mama
Paramore
