This is part 1 of 4 in our POC photoshoot in cooperation with @haenuli . In one day we shot 16 looks with 4 models. It was crazy!

More photos from part 1, and all 4 sets, can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/LEMillerPhoto/

Why did we do it? This is what the models had to say:

@loliville : I felt frustrated at the lack of representation, but also that someone was telling these girls and guys that they couldn’t wear lolita because of something as petty as melanin distribution. Who does that?

@taratiki17 : I have been into lolita for a few years now and even though I really love it there was always that feeling that I could never really do it justice because of my skin tone or race. After a while, when I began to take more photos and share them with others, I started getting a lot of positive feedback from many people, but mainly African American women saying how inspired they were to see a representation of themselves in the lolita community. There’s something about seeing someone who has similar characteristics as yourself being featured in something you love that gives you a boost of confidence to say “I can do it too”! I’ve felt that feeling myself and will always try to give that same inspiration to others who really need it! 

Britney: This shoot was done in response to the lack of representation of darker skinned people within the lolita community. We would like to challenge the perception that Lolitas all fit one “mold” and hope to open the door for others in the community to come out and show our diversity.

@kawaiilifetv: All of these beautiful photos came as the result of hearing that women of color “can not wear lolita”. That women of color were too afraid to wear this obscure yet beautiful fashion because of the hate that they could possibly get from the color of their skin. Well here we are breaking the mold, and I hope we inspire everyone else who are second guessing themselves to break it too.