The Tea Party Club Presents: Revelry

On the weekend of the 20th and 21st September 2014, the British lolita community The Tea Party Club celebrated its 7th anniversary in typically lavish style. The venue for this year’s joyous occasion was The Honourable Society of Gray's Inn, which has been home to lawyers since the 14th century. Some of the building's stained glass windows date back to 1462 and its wood panelling incorporates a screen which, legend has it, was built from the flagship of the Andalusian Squadron of the Spanish Armada, which attempted to invade England in 1588.

Into this traditional setting, they welcomed a number of guests, including Taira, the designer of Metamorphose temps de fille, one of the oldest and most successful lolita brands who was participating at an event outside Japan for the first time. Also in attendance were: Hitomi Nomura, designer of indie brand Grimoire; Ayumi and her indie brand Syrup; Toshie Mihashi, new editor of the Lolita scene’s flagship publication, the Gothic & Lolita Bible; and Ai Akizuki, lolita model and founder of Gothic & Lolita & Punk no Kai, the Japanese twin community of The Tea Party Club.

The day started at 10am for guests who had purchased VIP tickets. They received a goodie bag and other gifts, such as Metamorphose postcards, a cute pin of their choice and a raffle ticket. They were also the first to be able to shop to their heart’s content at the many stalls that had been set up around the venue. Upstairs, Metamorphose, whose goods sold out within the first hour, Grimoire with its tights and Syrup with its cute and quirky accessories rubbed shoulders with Western indie brands such as Roxie Sweetheart, Fantastic Grim, Sweet & Tiny and Li-Paro. Meanwhile, the J Fashion Bring & Buy, where lolitas were able to sell pieces from their personal wardrobe, took place in a side room downstairs.

General admission opened at 11am, and soon the huge hall was buzzing with many different languages as lolitas from the UK, Australia, Austria, Canada, Belgium, France, Germany, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Singapore and Spain mingled, chatted and posed for photos with each other. Perhaps unsurprisingly, many had chosen to wear Metamorphose garments in honour of the event's main guest. However, as has been the trend in recent years, there was a wide variety of styles, from pastel-coloured rococo to vampiric black widow's weeds to brightly-patterned architecture or nature-themed outfits, often incorporating fantastical elements like deer antlers and birds’ nests.

After a brief welcome speech by organisers Kyra and Michaela from The Tea Party Club, dressed in matching Metamorphose outfits, the guests from Japan took their seats for the first Q&A of the day.[1] For just over half an hour, they answered questions from the audience about Japanese lolitas, fashion design and the future plans of the Gothic & Lolita Bible.

At noon, the crowd broke for lunch with optional treasure hunt and reassembled at 1.30pm for the fashion show, which kicked off with the white version of Grimoire's brand new and much coveted Celestial Map Dress, followed by the dark blue version. The understated elegance of the design drew the viewer's attention to the mysterious print, which combined astrological symbols and a starry night sky. The models, who were selected by the designers ahead of the event, strutted their stuff to classical piano music under the stern gaze of famous historical personalities such as Queen Elizabeth I, Francis Walsingham and Winston Churchill, whose portraits adorned the hall’s walls.

Next it was Metamorphose's turn to show off its latest designs, starting with Night Carnival, a violet jumper skirt with matching head bow depicting a colourful funfair from which heart-shaped balloons flew up into the sky. As the model paused and turned to let the audience get a good look at the outfit, the background music was briefly interrupted by Taira, who revealed this was the first time the design had been presented to the public.

The pink version of Night Carnival with matching bonnet followed, and then the Raschel Lace Shirring Pinafore Dress in white. Taira pointed out the beautiful lace as typical of Metamorphose, and explained that the dress was inspired by the innocence and purity of an angel. The next design, the Raschel Lace Flared Sleeve Tiered Dress, a dream of mauve lace with matching bonnet from the same series, was even more glamorous.

Now Taira presented another world premiere, Magical Starry Sky, a print composed of astrological symbols that came in two different versions. The first was a black and gold jumper skirt with an asymmetrical hemline that was longer at the back, topped off with golden birds and bows. The red and white one-piece version, featuring an asymmetric ruffle skirt with a silver pentagram dangling from its waist and a matching head bow, concluded the fashion show.

At 3pm, Ai Akizuki gave a talk about becoming a lolita model, her life as a lolita in Japan, the activities of her community Gothic & Lolita & Punk no Kai and her lectures about lolita fashion at universities and non-profit organisations.[1] Unfortunately, the slide show that accompanied her talk was beset by technical problems, but the presenter was so sincere and full of enthusiasm and charm that this was easily forgiven.

After another Q&A with Ai Akizuki, it was time for the much anticipated raffle. As always, the prices were generous: the top price was a stunning black dress, embroidered with delicate white candlesticks, but everybody received a little something, be it accessories, a poster or makeup. Finally all the guests - designers, organisers and lolitas - gathered in the middle of the hall for a group photo.

The celebrations continued the next day with a tea party at the exclusive members-only Army and Navy Club on Pall Mall, where the guests found more brand postcards, a pack of Revelry mini fridge magnets produced in cooperation with Metamorphose and Syrup. There were also new raffle tickets on their placemats. While waiters served traditional sandwiches, cake, scones, tea and coffee, the designers sold the last of their goods and the day ended with another raffle. This time, the top prize was a handbag from Metamorphose. To close proceedings, The Tea Party Club announced the guest for their 8th anniversary: Innocent World!

Then it was time to say goodbye, but the really hardcore revellers continued on to The Roadhouse in Covent Garden where they partied into the early hours.

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[1] A transcript of the Q&As can be found here.