Shades of Wonderland

Me at Leipzig book fair 2014
Picture: Mittelbayerische

Due to my work for the german lolita fashion community Dunkelsüß (founding member & admin since 2007) I was contacted by a publisher who was interested in doing a book about 'quirky' japanese fashion. I won't go into details about how it's like to work professionally on something that you are extremely passionate about with an investor who has a different view of the matter. But the book actually got published and I had the opportunity to introduce it on the biggest german book fair in Leipzig 2014. I guess that was also one of the main reasons why they did a german version first. An english version was planned but never got realised.


Shades of Wonderland is a very heavy and huge coffee table book filled with beautiful pictures by japanese designers, who shape the fashion, and western followers of japanese fashion. Next to an introduction into the different styles that derived from Japan, all of the designers and fashionista's share their personal story. The texts are surely a big plus, but even if you don't understand german it's a feast for the eyes. 


I am going to be shamelessly honest though: 2 different people worked on the layout and printing was rushed for the book fair. A few pictures turned out very dark (due to wrong colour profile) and a handfull are slightly pixeled. Never the less, it's an awesome deal for under 15 Euro! Only 3.000 copies were made of this book. I fought really hard for this cover picture, the title and drawings. It was extremely stressful but I wouldn't have wanted to miss the opportunity for any price and all the hardships were also rewarded. I am proud of the finished product and forever thankful to my partner in crime Miriam Loetz.

If you click the picture it will automatically send you to Amazon.de. Any purchase you make after following the link sponsors the german lolita community Dunkelsüß. Here's a peek at the inside:

Vierge Vampur in Shades of Wonderland

Collaborating designers:

With Ashizawa Yuko
(Atelier Pierrot) in London 2014

Alice Auaa
Angelic Pretty (RinRin Doll)
h.Naoto
Baby, the stars shine bright/Alice and the Pirates
Gloomth
Atelier Pierrot
Vierge Vampur
Takuya Angel
Innocent World
Juliette et Justine
Millefleurs
Linda Friessen
Ergi by Piratessan
Atelier P-i-n-k-y

Fashionista's:
Scarlet Sedusa

Miriam and me at work

Flokati
Red Tonic
Kari van der Voort
Fahr Sindram
Monologue de Chi
Deerstalker
Gina Wetzel
Quini
Katou Noir & Hide V
Kia Rose
Ina Doll
Joey Rottenmeier