The mint chocolate color palette of this Lolita dress matched the mood of the Fairy tale exhibition to perfection today. From the very moment I stepped into the pavilion, it truly felt as though this little mint chocolate cupcake had tumbled straight into a storybook.
To break down the details of this ensemble: the overarching color palette weaves together pale powder blue, cream white, and rich chocolate brown. Generous cascades of ruffles and lace accent the collar and puffed sleeves, complemented by a delicate brown ribbon bow and corset-style lace-up detailing across the bodice. The tiered skirt cascades in three distinct layers, each featuring varied pleat textures and lace trims, with the bottom layer edged in contrasting brown for stunning kinetic movement while walking. Perched atop my head is a brown bear-themed bonnet that serves as the visual highlight of the entire outfit, rounded out by a vintage mini suitcase and a plush doll accessory. For footwear, considering the exhibition hall's vast, unforgiving hard floors, I specifically opted for brown platform shoes paired with white lace-trimmed calf socks; this ensured zero foot fatigue after a full day of roaming while gracefully flattering leg lines in full-body frames. Wearing layered Lolita during summer certainly demands commitment, so breathable foundation layers kept me cool while preserving the silhouette.
The set design across the exhibition was wonderfully diverse, with each zone calling for a distinct photography approach. The red-and-black striped wall offered the most striking visual punch, where suspended wooden chairs evoked an uncanny surrealism. While shooting, I reached up toward the floating chairs or leaned back to emulate falling or drifting midair; shooting from a slight low angle with a wide lens captured that enchanting spatial dislocation. The black-and-white checkerboard zone lent itself to playful, spirited poses beside the giant white rabbit, resting a hand gently against the prop or gesturing toward the lens to make the frame feel alive.
The zone themed around the cosmos and The Little Prince was my personal favorite. The celestial planets and soaring bird installations were utterly dreamlike. Since ambient light was quite dim here, careful facial fill lighting was essential. Perching upon the blue rock prop with chin resting in hand while the photographer traced my silhouette with side backlighting elevated the frame's atmospheric richness instantly. Tugging gently at the cords tethering the white birds during a turn, or utilizing the red fox statue as foreground interest, yielded wonderful narrative storytelling. The vintage library set introduced a contrasting mood: glass bookcases and piano key floor patterns invited quiet, reflective poses, where reaching for a volume under the bookcase top lighting showcased the garment's lace textures.
The oversized furniture area leveraged forced perspective to make ordinary wooden barstools and desks look colossal. Sitting atop the high stool with one foot dangling and the other braced against the crossbar created immense theatricality in low-angle framing. Meanwhile, the giant cracked egg nestled among dried reeds and grasses, bathed in warm hues, was perfect for leaning forward inquisitively or brushing fingertips along the shell's rim under soft lighting—a deeply comforting, therapeutic ambiance.
This exhibition journey was truly delightful. Despite the heavy crowds, all the sweet fashion enthusiasts lined up with immaculate courtesy, admiring one another's coordinates and exchanging camera angles and settings without any pushing or rushing. That harmonious energy made the photo session an absolute joy. For anyone fond of Lolita fashion and fairy tale showcases, this is an ideal summer sanctuary to visit and immerse oneself in alongside friends.