Hey folks! This week's newsletter shines a spotlight on Flores Astorum, a global J-fashion retailer that we're proud to have as a remote vendor at #RoyalVegasRetreat2021! Read on to learn more about this brand.
What is the story behind your store and brand logo? I had long wanted to do something and be an active part of the global J-fashion community even before moving to Japan.
I really enjoy being the bridge between the Japanese and overseas communities and I've been told that no one has yet to try and do what I'm doing, which gives me a lot of confidence and validation to continue doing this work. I personally really like stars and celestial themed items, as well as floral or botanical themes, so I decided to merge the two together and ended up with my current logo and concept.
How has your store evolved since its inception? I started with mainly accessories from designers that I personally knew and only selling online via my Storenvy. I was able to widen my network in these 6 months and I now carry apparel as well as magazines! Additionally, I was able to partner with Halley of The Black Ribbon as well as Emma of Lolita Collective to sell my products in person at various events in the US.
What kind of brands/products can people expect to find in your store? We carry apparel, accessories, legwear, and magazines! We strive to cater to a wider variety of audiences across multiple genres, and are working on becoming more inclusive!
How do you decide what brands to carry? At first, I relied on designers that I was already in contact with and am familiar with, and then they were able to introduce me to other designers as well! I also attend events around Tokyo so I can see each designers' work in person and speak with them directly about carrying their work. All designers that I contract with are people whom I trust to make quality work that is unique and enriches the global J-fashion community, and I try not to overlap anyone in order to avoid creating uncecessary competition.
How do you get brands to sell through you? I reach out to them and tell them what I do/show them the site, and see if they're interested and answer any questions. Then we talk about details of what our contract would be and then eventually sign the documents. They'll then send me some stock and pictures as well as descriptions for me to translate and list the items up!
What is the most unique brand that you carry? There are two that come to mind: MYK Work and Jingai Soushokusho.
MYK Work makes really intricate and extravagant designs on false eyelashes, which is something I'd never seen before I came across their brand, and I have not seen anyone do work as unique as theirs.
Jingai Soushokusho is another designer that I really think is different and their concept of blurring the lines between human and creature is very interesting to me. They also manage to do this without being tacky or costumey, which I think is very difficult to achieve.
Where can people find you online? You can find our online store on Storenvy at floresastorum.storenvy.com.
Please keep in mind that a large portion of our stock is currently traveling the US and will make a pit stop at RVR at the remote vendor booth!
We are also on twitter @FloresAstorum!
As always - here are our pertinent reminders and announcements about RVR 2021:
- Coord contest entries are open now! Sign up for our handmade or Lolita fashion coord contests by November 14. Please note that all contest entries must be recognizable as Lolita fashion, Lolita fashion-adjacent (Ouji, EGA, etc.), or a fusion of Lolita fashion with another J-fashion style. If you have any questions, reach out to us at info@prettyprincess.club.
- Reminder that if you're interested in selling at the swap meet, we need you to reserve a table on Eventbrite - please note that this is a different Eventbrite link than our main ticket sales! Table reservations cost $15, and we will sell tables up until the event or while supplies last. Thank you for your support, and please direct any questions to PPC staffer Ruthie!
- Do you have a talent? Do you love to sing or dance? Are you a stand-up comedian? Let us point you at our Open Mic Night! Open Mic Night will be held Friday night, November 19, at RVR. Don't worry about signing up in advance - we will have a sign-up sheet available at registration the day of. We can't wait to see you perform!
- If you no longer feel comfortable attending RVR 2021 and you bought a ticket, please email registration@prettyprincess.club for a refund. We are offering refunds, no questions asked, until November 17.
Call to action: help fund REBUILD: Help Me Find a Therapist Program which is currently seeking donations to connect over 5,000 formerly incarcerated and criminalized people of color to therapists of color.
As always, visit prettyprincess.club for more information on Royal Vegas Retreat 2021, or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. See you next week!