Swan's Feathers is an upcoming release from Alice and the Pirates. It's a non-print release which has gotten very popular! In fact, the initial reservation sold out on the first day. AatP designer Tomomi Nakamura is a big fan of ballet, so it's no surprise that this series is based off of the Swan Lake story.

First, we have the lolita side of the release. Odette and Odile are often played by the same ballerina in two opposite outfits, so each piece comes in two colorways: offwhite for Odette and black for Odile.

The eye-catcher of this series is the Swan's Feather Clip which is a unique combination of a collar and feather epaulettes. Extra details are brought forth with the combination of different textures of chiffon, jacquard, lace, and feathers. I'd love to see a pair of lolitas twinning both colors together.

Next, not one, but two boystyle sets were also announced! The first is the Siegfried ouji set. Prince Siegfried is the protagonist of Swan Lake and falls in love Odette.

The cut of this vest is a more opulent re-do of the Pharis Vest. The white lace gives a nice impression of swan feathers without using actual feathers. The pants have the same cut as the El Dorando Pants, but the lace is shorter, so it will be easier to pull off.  The separate pieces aren't really versatile, but they do look amazing paired together. I partly wish that it was a salopette instead of two pieces. The only complaint I have about this set is the hat is a very awkward size; it's too small to be worn as a full-sized hat, but too big to be a mini hat. I do like the detachable veil (it's a buttcape for hats), but with the lack of gold details, I don't like this hat with the vest and pants. 

Lastly, there is the Rothbart aristocrat set. The antagonistic sorcerer Von Rothbart gets khaki green and black colorways. Khaki is a popular color for brands this S/S 2015. Brands are slowly catching onto the demand for boystyle in more colors, so I predict we'll see more colors in the near future.

The Rothbart Vest is a leveled up version of the Granny Smith Vest. The cut is extremely flattering and can be used in both youthful and mature coordinates. The pants have a 2-way zipper which is a small detail that AatP doesn't include very often, but it adds a nice 2-way feature for the hem.The blouse also comes in three different colors. Its tiered jabot and sleeves add a uniform detail to any vest or sleeveless jacket. I wouldn't think of a sorcerer when I look at the entirety, but it's nice nonetheless.

Overall, I call this series best release of 2015 for Pirates so far. The lolita set is gorgeous and the boystyle sets look good as well. Alice and the Pirates has been re-releasing older cuts from its early days lately, but seeing this release utilize more modern cuts and looking good is refreshing. What are your thoughts? Is Alice and the Pirates finally starting to get out of the slump?

Nigthfall Introduction by Deerstalker Pictures

Deerstalker Pictures made a short video about Nightfall! They can't wait to see everyone!

Palace of Princes Presents Nightfall

Good evening! My apologies for the lack of updates, but I have been extremely busy with school and dedicating my free time to what I'm about to tell you. On April 2, 2015, one month from now, Palace of Princes will debut our first major event Nightfall! Our team has been working very hard (and still going) for the last 6 months to make this possible!

What is Nightfall?

Nightfall is a one-day event aiming to promote all styles of Japanese street fashion with a specialty on boystyle fashion which includes ouji and aristocrat. It's a party to celebrate the international fashion community and individual expression. Attendees will be able to meet new and old friends, check out the latest styles, and be entertained by our programming.

When is Nightfall?

Date: Thursday, April 2, 2015
Time: General Admission Hours: 5 PM to 10 PM  &  VIP Hours: 4:30 PM to 11 PM

Where is Nightfall?

The Crystal Ballroom
909 Texas Street Suite 106F
Houston, TX 77002

The Crystal Ballroom is a beautiful venue with historic elegance! It has the perfect atmosphere to match Gothic and lolita styles.

Who's coming to Nightfall?

Since lolita and other fashion styles is such a global community, our goal was to bring together many countries under one roof. These guests provide the highest quality of work in their fields and you'll probably recognize them. We are very happy to be able to work with them and invite everyone to get to know them!

Top: Technotropism of Deerstalker Pictures, Aerynsys, Linda Tea, Buttcape (me!), Aetherlund
Bottom: Lillith Gray, I Do Declare, Rachel and Michelle of Belladonna, Moss Marchen

Even though some designers can't make it to Houston, we've brought their amazing work for you to see in person!

Top: Belladonna, Haenuli, I Do Declare, Ozone Socks, Sweet Mildred
Bottom: Moss Marchen, Aetherlund, R-Series, Rouge Aerie Designs, Peppermint Fox

Our list is still growing, so keep your eyes out for upcoming announcements!

Want to support Nightfall?

Official website: www.palaceofprinces.com
Purchase tickets: popnightfall.eventbrite.com
Facebook event: Palace of Princes Nightfall

If you can't make it to Houston, you can still show your support for our event!

Buy merchandise: palaceofprinces.storenvy.com
Made a donation: www.palaceofprinces.com/donations
Sponsor us: www.palaceofprinces.com/sponsors

Check out our cool merch!

I still don't know what I'm going to wear, but I'll figure that out a little later. I hope to meet some of you there!