The Anime Blog is proud to introduce a new member to our writing staff; Codi! Codi will be covering Gothic Lolita Fashion and will be happy to fill us all in on the clothing and the lifestyle.
I had a chat with Codi concerning her lolita fashion background and here’s what she had to say:
Rachel: What got you interested in the Loli lifestyle?
Codi: I am a big fan of Plastic Tree, a j-rock band. I was at my very first convention and saw a book with him on it…so without thinking I bought it. It ended up being volume 1 of the Gothic & Lolita Bible. 
Rachel: How long have you been doing this?
Codi: I have been a lolita since 2002, so over 4 years now!
Rachel: Do you really go out in public dressed like a loli on a regular basis?
Codi: More like whenever I am capable of doing so. I am mostly tied to my sewing machine, so I am not permitted to go outside much.
Rachel: What’s your fave part about being a lolita?
Codi: Feeling like a princess! I feel absolutely gorgeous in lolita clothes, something I don’t receive when I wear my ‘civilian’ clothes as I call them.
Rachel: Do you like other aspects of Japanese culture besides this street fashion? If you do can you tell us what they are?
Codi: I am fond of the geisha world! I am also a fan of Japanese history, more specifically anything related to the Shinsengumi and the Meiji restoration.
Rachel: If you dig anime, what’s your fave anime?
Codi: Rurouni Kenshin, playing up to the love of Shinsengumi and Meiji era!
Was also one of my very firsts.
Rachel: Ditto for manga.
Codi: D. Gray-man! Very gothic and addictive.
Rachel: What’s your favorite brand of lolita clothing?
Codi: Although I don’t own much from them, my favourite is Innocent World. They never disappoint. I mostly patron to Metamorphose temps de fille, however.
Rachel: Do you sew and if you do, do you prefer your designs over some of the brands?
Codi: Oh goodness no *laughs* I’ve been sewing for 4 years now as well, but my designs cannot compare to the brands (even if they repeat them every year).
Rachel: What do you say to people who question your fashion sense?
Codi: I don’t question your hobby, so don’t question mine!
Rachel: Ever get heckled for being a loli in public places and what do you do if you do?
Codi: I have been heckled quite a lot in my time, but I don’t let it bother me at all. I’ve always thought that laughing at others shows the insecurities of one’s self.
Rachel: What’s your family think of the loli lifestyle?
Codi: My mother is absolutely fond of it, however the rest of my family…not so much. I tend not to care what they think of me.
Rachel: Can you tell us how you feel people can make this style individualized?
Codi: I think not living so cookie-cutter to the Bibles. Many brands actually offer more outrageous and individualized coordinates! I think experimentation with mixing brands, colours, and accessories is a good way to start.
Rachel: What advice can you offer lolis first starting out?
Codi: Don’t feel like you have to go out and try to learn to sew overnight or think that all lolitas are rich or have rich parents. Start small, and work your way up. My closet may have a bit, but I’ve also worked for 4 years on it. Don’t feel like you have to own everything at once! Build up!
Rachel: What’s your view of the controversial group of elitist lolis the “Lolita Fucks”?
Codi: I wouldn’t really call them elitist, just out to prove a point. Most of the time though, people cannot take to criticism, regardless of its degree of harshness. Kind of like, “What Not to Wear” but with much more edge.
Along with living la vive Lolita for four years, Codi is a moderator at Metamorphique, a Live Journal Gothic Lolita site and is a mod for louisville_loli, also a Lolita Live Journal site, but one that caters to lolis in the Louisville, Kentucky area. Along with moderating two forums, Codi is also a fashion editor/fashion podcaster for a j-scene project called gomorning. She’s organized an Otakon-official event for lolis in 2004 to boot. That’s one busy lolita!
Codi will be helping us out here at The Anime Blog by keeping us up to date on the latest hits and misses in the loli fashion world, what’s coming up and who’s going out, and even giving us a lil’ DYI loli-style. She’ll also be answering your questions in our new column “Ask a Lolita” where all readers are encouraged to ask Codi questions concerning the loli lifestyle, the fashion, or anything in general! So please submit your questions here or by e-mailing them to me personally.
Welcome aboard, Codi!
Thank you thank you ^^ I really like it here!