What I'm Excited for at The Great Lace

Somewhere amongst the pile of my super intensive crafting for The Great Lace event in Chicago sits a whole bunch of excitement. Not just for visiting the city of Chicago itself, though that’s a part of it too. Since booking my tickets all the way back in January 2024 (yeah, really), my anticipation has only grown. So to release some of that pent up excitement, here are three things that I am most looking forward to. 

Meeting RinRin Doll

Of the announced guests, RinRin is at the top of my list. Following her modelling work has been nothing short of visually inspirational and I adore how easily she moves between various fashion styles whilst still holding lolita dear to her heart. Her enthusiasm and passion for what she does is evident in every project, and there’s an ease in her social media presence, especially in videos, that makes her feel so much more connected to the Western EGL community. I’m not counting on her remembering that I was the one to host her virtual Q&A with Minori back at the virtual Hyper Japan in 2021, nonetheless I look forward to meeting her in person.

The moment she was announced as a guest my enthusiasm spiked!

Shopping the US indie brands

There’s no denying that lolita events are for shopping. And postage from North American countries is so extortionately high for me that I only bother with it in exceptional circumstances. But now I won’t have to! Whilst I would love to add a main piece from one of the US indie brands to my collection, counting on something comfortable and maybe on the more casual side, I have no doubts that I will fall victim to magpie brain and end up with lots of accessories. From the vendors list, I already feel in danger of Wax Poetic and Frilly Affair taking all my money. It will be worth it though, no doubts.

How dare you accuse me of checking out each of these vendors' wares ahead of the event!? You're right, but how dare you?

Comparing Notes

I know what European lolita events are like. And I have some idea of what they are like in the US thanks to YouTube and Instagram. But I am absolutely thrilled by the opportunity to actually experience how the US lolitas do big fancy events compared to us over in Europe. Some of what’s already been announced is giving me ideas, namely the scale being so much bigger (300 people for a tea party? Dream Masquerade Carnival was the biggest lolita event I attended was I think 200 at most). There is bound to be more and I cannot wait to find it out first hand. And duly report, of course.

The programme has already given me a pretty good idea of how the event will differ from the ones I've attended in Europe, but I'm still looking forward to actually experiencing that.

It will be interesting to compare afterwards how these expectations have stacked up against reality. Whatever happens, this will be one memorable trip and I look forward to meeting friends, making new ones… and flaunting that godsdamned cape that I spent hours sewing!