The Magazine
It began serialization around late 2012, with former Ageha editor Haruna Nakagori (中郡暖菜) as it's Editor.
The name of the magazine comes from the French word "Larme", literally meaning "tears".
In Japanese it is pronounced as Ra-Ru-Mu (ラルム).
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| Editor Haruna Nakagori (Credit: http://news.biglobe.ne.jp/) |
The magazine's main style is the "sweet girly", but since the magazine is so popular and the one who brought this style to attention, it is commonly referred to as just Larme-kei.
With a target demographic of young women (age 18 to 25), it puts it focus on looking cute yet mature. Someone who like to look cute and wear sweet clothes, but also likes to be cultured, interesting and intelligent.
Unlike other fashion focused magazines, Larme has put on a more of an "art-book" feel, with elaborate photo-shots and spreads, usually carefully planned with a theme and locations.
The magazine's themes and overall feel is usually somewhat dark, featuring theme's like Nabokov's "Lolita", "The Virgin Suicide", and more.
Larme started as a quarterly magazine, but quickly became a bi-monthly release due to popular demand. The first two issues of the magazine had to be re-printed twice due to the demand.
The Style
Larme has no distinct rules of styling. It is more about the overall feel of the outfit, completed with hair and make-up to become Larme, rather than the clothes by themselves.The magazine features many trends from other fashion styles, and interprets them with the mature, girly vibe and aesthetics.
Even though there are quite a few sub-styles to Larme fashion, most of them can be created by using the following:
Simple, yet classy silhouettes. A-line skirts and dresses are common.
Interesting, unique fabrics. Sheer, Lace, Fur, Denim, Velvet and patterned fabrics are common in all Larme styles and are used to create complicated looks with mature feel to them.
Most colours are muted down, and there are no "bright" neon colours in larme. You will never see bright orange outfits in Larme, but might see dark red, blue and military green.
The tops are often cropped and well-fitted, and the bottoms are either high-waist trousers or skirts. Skirts are usually A-lined, but can be pencil, or even peplum at times. Pants are usually flared, palazzo-style, or skinny.
Shoes and socks are never the main focus of the outfit, and are only used to enhance the main feel of the look, and will usually be one colour without patterns to them.
Accessories are also used only to enhance to outfit, and will never be the main focus. Ribbons are often used to decorate the hair, and badges, brooches, and rosettes are often used as well. Hats are sometimes sighted too.
The make-up style is usually on the more natural side. Circle lenses are used but are not a must, and natural looking lashes are often seen too. The lips will have a soft dreamy look to them. Blush is often used to create a somewhat sickly look to the face. The hair is often natural looking, creating the feel that it is not over-done yet still right on spot.
The Sub-Styles:
Larme has many different sub-styles that cater to different feels and vibes of looks, from mature sexy looking outfits to the more "old school" vintage feel. All sub styles can be called Larme regardless of how popular they are within the magazines or with the models themselves.
is easily the most popular of the styles. It uses motifs from the world of lingerie, like lace, sheer fabrics and classic yet sexy silhouettes to create a mature sexy look. Leather and fur are seen in this style often too.
Common colours for this style are black, pink, pale blue, white and red.
Animal like patterns like leopard are very popular and are seen often. Shoes are often heeled, like classic platforms and pumps. Fishnets are worn with this look quite often.
Basic French
This style is all about that tourist from Paris feel. Like you just landed from Paris, the most fashionable city in the world and are ready to go sightseeing while looking flawless.
Colours are very muted and toned down in this style, like browns, pale blue, white, beige and neutral colours. Pants are seen more within this style, usually high waist and flared, or midi-length skirts. Shoes are often flats, sneakers of oxfords and can be worn without socks. Fabrics are often more sturdy looking, like linen and knits. Berets are a big yes in this style, as well as all-time classic accessories like leather bags.
Romantic Girly
I feel like this one is the most tricky to nail down since it is so close to hime-kaji.
The colours are more bright, with muted naturals, blues, purples and reds, but still using brighter colours to accent the look, like yellows and pinks.
Chiffon is a big friend to this style and is seen in almost all outfits, alongside knits and flared out pants. Skirts are often not A-line and are more puffy and bell-shaped. The Hair is usually seen with small ribbons and hair-ties. Small, cute prints on the clothes are often seen too.
Loose Grunge
Somewhat darker than the other styles, this style reminds you of a girl who can take care of herself. Denim, Fur, and fringes are a common sight for this look, with mostly brown, olive green, white, black and earthy colours used. Hats are seen often with this look, as well as sneakers. Anything to give you that cool, city-girl vibe.
Pin Up Dolly
Another popular style, Pin Up Dolly is all about the classic pin-up looks. A-line skirts and dresses, as well as knits, jeans and brighter colours are used. Sweet motifs like cherries, ruffles and Polka dot prints are common too. Shoes are often heels with pointed toes. Colours are usually brighter and more happy, like red, blue, white, pink, and black.
Tomboy
This style will usually includes pants or shorts over skirts and dresses, alongside other darker, more bold colours like black, red, jean-blue, white and brown.
Sneakers and converse are the most common choice of shoes, and accessories will include "boyish" vibes, like suspenders and baseball caps. Hair will often be worn down in an effortless way.
Dream Casual
Dream Casual are the soft, flow-y style that makes you feel like you're walking in a dream. Cuts are often loose and oversized, using big knits of any kind, usually fuzzy ones to create the cozy look. Long cardigans are used often in this style too. Colours are natural browns and whites, with soft, pastel-like reds, pinks and blues. Shoes are often comfortable sneakers and flats, and converse are seen often.
Dark Lolita
Not to be confused with lolita fashion, this sub style of larme draws inspiration from vintage children's toys, and Nabokov's book "Lolita". Fabrics are often Silk, knits and satin. Colours are usually black, pink and red, and the style can go either looking dark and melancholic or stay sweet. Tops are often cropped and go off-shoulder, and socks are over the knees.
There are many other sub styles to Larme-kei, less popular and known. Larme is a very wide and broad fashion with many interpretations. All things listed above are only suggestions as seen commonly in the magazine and on the models, but are definitely not rules that must be followed. Unlike Lolita fashion, Larme fashion draws heavily from current trends and therefore is always changing to fit with the trends. The most important things to Larme-kei are the overall feel of the outfit, that needs to be cute yet mature, and the make-up and hair that needs to look sweet and dreamy.
Larme Shops
Most shops listed here are stores who's items get featured in the Larme magazine often and seen worn by the models. Not all shops are strictly larme, or cater only to this style, but at least carry larme-able items of the correct feel and looks that works for the style.
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