Lolita Dreams is a visual sociological research on the Lolita fashion subculture community in China.
Lolita fashion is a subculture that originated in Japan and is primarily inspired by the clothing and general aesthetics of the Rococo and Victorian periods. At first, it was a niche subculture where enthusiasts used this type of clothing to express their individuality and explore their identity. In the process of localisation, the subculture has merged with other mainstream cultures and subcultures, giving rise to numerous categories. Among young people, this culture is becoming increasingly popular. Gradually, lolita subculture has developed into an industry, generating economic benefits and getting a lot of fans on the internet.
As a foreign subculture, lolita fashion has inevitably had its ups and downs with the government-led mainstream culture and public opinion in the course of its development. Through interviews and portraits with Lolita enthusiasts of various ages, styles, physical appearances and genders, I investigate the phenomenon of de-Westerncentrism in the localization process of the Lolita subculture and the influence of Lolita fashion on their individuality, identity perception, lifestyle choices and consumption habits.
