Japanese Pop Culture Surfaces in San Francisco

New People brings loads of style from across the Pacific

Japantown, San Francisco: A new building with a three-story glass façade sits on Post Street between Webster and Buchanan. Welcome to New People, an entire 20,000 square feet dedicated to Japanese pop culture. The complex features shopping, a gallery and VIZ Cinema, the nation’s first movie theatre devoted exclusively to Japanese film and anime.

Inside there are a variety of stores including Baby, the Stars Shine Bright, San Francisco’s spot for trendy Lolita fashion. Japanese Lolita fashion consists of many sub-trends, from Sweet Lolita – all pink and white frills with teddy bears and parasols -- to Gothic Lolita –black and white and innocence with a hint of macabre -- and many in between. Be careful to note, however, that Japanese Lolita styles take their inspiration from the Victorian Era dolls; this fashion movement has nothing to do with Nabokov’s scandalous novel.

Here are a few tips for Lolita Style:

Makeup:  Keep it youthful, natural and fresh.  Don't do whiteface or blue or black lipstick.

Skirt:  Let hems hover around the knee- no minis allowed.

Petticoats:  A definite do, though do not let it show through the fabric or below the hemline of your skirt.

Hair Style: Big sausage curls are a definite do.

Footwear: Don’t wear socks over tights.

Neatness counts:  Clothes should fit properly and they should be pressed.

Marybeth La Motte writes for RedCarpetSF.com

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