The Craze Starts

For awhile, from the ages of 15-20 or so, I was obsessed with the entire Gothic Lolita movement in Japan.

I bought all I could on it. Gothic & Lolita Bible, Kera Maniax, Gothic Lolita Punk Brand Book, you name it, I probably tried to locate a copy of it. I was taken with the whole thing---the over-the-top clothing, the adorable accessories, even the wigs and makeup.

Everything was so beautifully made and unique.

Though I did like the darker, punk styles....

My FAVORITE style was the sweet, doll-like Lolita look. I was especially drawn to Baby, The Stars Shine Bright, and Angelic Pretty. (The brand that remains my favorite to this day) The dresses are sweet, innocent, and beautiful, perhaps reminding me of my own childhood. Add things like matching hats, umbrellas, and purses, and I'm a puddle of goo. If I were a tiny Japanese girl, I have no doubt I would wear this stuff.

So cute.

Kitty! I want this. :(

However, after awhile, I noticed something:

Nails.

It was very common to have tutorials in these book-magazines (called mooks, FYI) to show readers how to accomplish the looks for themselves. You could have a matching wig, makeup, and even your manicure could be....

Wait a minute. Even your manicure? Really?
That got me to thinking. If this was a big thing, perhaps there were magazines in Japan focusing on just nail art?

On a whim, I typed a search into eBay.

Oh. Oh my. Oh yes, there were. There were a lot. Apparently it was a HUGE thing over there--many people credit Japanese nail artists with starting the new wave of nail popularity----and I was sitting here, oblivious. Well, no more. I looked at the listings. My pupils dilated, my heart sped up, my breath quickened.

I was in love. Who knew you could make such beautiful things for the tips of your fingers? This was a far cry from the tacky, airbrushed, five inch long talons I sometimes saw on the walls of salons.

Putting the Goth Loli on the backburner, since I didn't have enough funds for both, I proceeded to go even more crazy. I was a girl possessed. The only time it died down was briefly in 2008-2009 when money was extremely tight.

Thank you, Japan, for just one of many things you have introduced me to that I find exciting and can be passionate about. I never thought that a simple search back in 2006 would lead to years of following something like nails.