The Great Lace 2025 was a Japanese fashion event held at the historic Palmer House Hotel in Chicago. On Saturday, the fashion show took place as one of the main events of the weekend. The first half of the show featured Atelier Pierrot and their sister brand Vallรฉe Lys followed by the Harajuku Hearts segment that featured brands Enchantlic Enchantilly, Hoshibako Works, Melody BasKet, Emily Temple Cute, Axes Femme Kawaii, and Axes-X.
Atelier Pierrot is one Harajuku’s foundational gothic lolita brands, with a history reaching back to 1969. Their designs focus on gothic themes, dramatic silhouettes, and corsets. The Palmer House was the most beautiful venue yet, matching Atelier Pierrot’s grand aesthetic. Instead of a typical audio system, the show utilized a live string quartet!
Atelier Pierrot Fashion Show Looks
Atelier Pierrot featured a diverse model casting, making sure to showcase their current and upcoming plus size releases. For this fashion show, Atelier Pierrot partnered up with American indie brand Neant Glass for the jewelry for each model.
Model 1 opened the show with a timeless black and white long gothic lolita featuring some of Atelier Pierrot’s signature items such as the Long Bustle JSK and Shirring Princess Sleeve Blouse with a Neant Glass rosary.
Model 2 wore a serene, almost all white shiro lolita coordinate. This outfit consisted of the Irregular Vest, Calmato Blouse, Four-Tiered Ruffle Chiffon Skirt, Gothic Lattices Headdress, and Neant Glass bolo tie.
Model 3 wore a black and white gothic lolita coordinate with an old school vampire aura to it. The outfit pieces were Shirring Princess Sleeve Blouse, Frill Short Corset, Irregular Skirt, Cross Lace Choker, and Neant Glass rosary.
Model 4 continued with the dark elegance in an all black kuro gothic aristocratic coordinate. Lace Up Long Corset, Midnight Cascade Long Skirt, and Neant Glass necklace.
Long pieces were the hot commodity for this fashion show. Model 5 wore a black and navy gothic aristocrat outfit with the Shirring Princess Sleeve Blouse, Ladder Lace Choker, Frill Short Corset, Rose Lace Headband, Short Length Lace Gloves, and Long Bustle Skirt.
Debuting some of the new plus size gothic lolita items! Model 6 wore this white and navy outfit that contrasted with the previous black and navy outfit. The pieces included Rose Lace Headband, Shirring Princess Sleeve Blouse, Ladder Lace Choker, Fairy Lace Corset Skirt, and Neant Glass rosary.
Model 7 wore the first Vallee Lys, Atelier Pierrot’s sub-line, piece in the lineup. The model wore a black and red gothic lolita outfit using the Gothic Lattices Headdress, Midi Length Jacquard Coquelicot OP, Frill Short Corset, Short Length Thimble Lace Gloves, and a Neant Glass necklace.
Model 8 wore a similar outfit in the opposite color and length. This outfit used the Mini Length Jacquard Coquelicot OP in green, Lace-Up Frill Headdress, Short Length Thimble Lace Gloves, and a Neant Glass necklace. Both versions of the Coquelicot OP give such a princess feel with those large dramatic sleeves.
Model 9 wore an gothic ero lolita outfit that was an Atelier Pierrot signature. This outfit consisted of their signature Mini Corset OP in purple (popular color with international customers), Shirring Princess Sleeve Blouse in black, and Neant Glass Claudia Choker.
Model 10 was also wearing some of the new plus size pieces. This model wore the Shirring Princess Sleeve Blouse, Mini Corset Skirt in plus size, Flora Wrist Cuffs, and a Neant Glass Claudia Choker.
Model 11 was Iris herself from Iris Garden x Haenuli donning their collaboration dress with Atelier Pierrot! The Secret Chamber Corset JSK featured a vampire themed print drawn by Haenuli displayed on an iconic Atelier Pierrot dress.
Lastly, finishing off this segment of the fashion show was Connie as model 12. He wore the Shirring Princess Sleeve Blouse, Diamond Circus Corset, Diamond Circus Skirt, and Antique Gold Frame Pumps.
He also wore one of the new Neant Glass Dearly Departed Corsages. These corsages debuted earlier that morning at The Great Lace and instantly sold out!
Extra Shots
After the fashion show, I photographed extra model shots for Atelier Pierrot. We took advantage of the opulent balcony and chandeliers to enhance the beauty of each outfit!
Finishing off with the group photo.
Each of the models and outfits were stunning! This runway collection featured both new and returning Atelier Pierrot pieces.
It’s not over yet though. This was only the first part of the fashion show! The second part of the fashion show featured 20 more looks for Harajuku Hearts including a guest appearance from RinRin Doll. Make sure to keep reading to see the rest of the show!
Thank you to The Great Lace for allowing me to photograph the show! Lighting provided by Memetic Boutique Productions.
