Atelier Pierrot (stylized: ATELIER PIERROT) is a gothic lolita fashion brand from Tokyo, Japan. Started in 1969, it is one of the original pioneer Japanese lolita fashion brands. Their head shop is located inside LaForet Harajuku.
History
In September 1969, the brand started under the name “Pierrot” making casual clothes. It was based at Yoyogi-Hachiman and mostly did wholesale. The representative was Masamichi Yamada.
In September 1975, Pierrot opened an original shop at the Harajuku Central Apartment Plaza (which is now Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku).
In October 1978, LaForet Harajuku opened. Pierrot opened their new Harajuku shop on the LaForet opening day, October 28, 1978. The representative at the time was Kimiko Harajuku.
In April 1993, Keiko Ohashi was appointed as the new company representative at the select shop. At this time, their clothes are all black. The original casual concept disappeared and shifted towards mode design. Mode was mainstream during this era. The brand name changed from Pierrot to Atelier Pierrot. Ohashi started the original brand Atelier Pierrot in 1999.
In 2006, Yuko Ashizawa joined Atelier Pierrot as a manager and designer. In June 2013, she became the representative director for the brand.
In 2019, they started a sub-label named Vallée Lys. In 2022, they started releasing extended sizing for select pieces.
Style
Atelier Pierrot’s items fall under gothic, gothic lolita, and classic lolita styles. Their signature pieces are known to have corset bodices and bustle skirts. Most of their pieces use solid fabrics utilizing shantung, satin, chiffon, and custom laces. Their items can also fit a variety of sizes since many blouses and dresses have generous amounts of elastic shirring.
Atelier Pierrot also runs a select shop featuring many smaller brands from across the world. Select brands include: Sheglit, Na+H, Moi-meme-Moitie, uF, Pina Sweet Collection, Marble, Physical Drop, Triple Fortune, Estrellas, and many more.
Alternate Names
- アトリエピエロ
- AtePie
Staff
Designers
- Yuko Ashizawa – CEO/Designer (since 2006)
- Keiko Ohashi – Former owner/designer
Shop Staff
- Chie – Harajuku shop staff
- Sasaki – Harajuku shop staff
- Minami – Harajuku shop staff
- Rika – Osaka shop staff
- Jack – Shinjuku shop staff
- Satsuki – Yokohama shop staff
- Connie – International brand manager
Home Page
Where to Buy Atelier Pierrot
Online
- Online shop
- Old online shop (archived, 2020-2024)
- Old online shop (archived, 2009-2025)
In-store
- LaForet Harajuku shop
1 Chome−11−6 LaForet Harajuku Floor B1.5, Jingumae, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0001, Japan - Shinjuku shop
3 Chome-1-26 Shinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0022, Japan - Yokohama shop
2 Chome−15番13号 3F, Minamisaiwai, Nishi Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 220-0005, Japan - Osaka shop
Shinsaibashi Residence, 201, 1 Chome-15-9 Nishishinsaibashi, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0086, Japan - Harajuku Hearts (USA)
- Trip in the Dream (France)
Trivia
Atelier Pierrot is one of the oldest lolita fashion brands. They pioneered lolita fashion in Tokyo.
The term “gothic lolita” may have been coined by Atelier Pierrot in the 90’s.
Atelier Pierrot used to share a shop with Atelier Boz. Atelier Pierrot convinced Atelier Boz to start making lolita designs.
Atelier Pierrot and Angelic Pretty opened a joint venture called Carina e Arlequin in Utsunomiya in 2003.
Atelier Pierrot has a good relationship with Sheglit. Pierrot often sells exclusive colorways of Sheglit items at events.
Atelier Pierrot has several unofficial brand mascots:
- Kumappe is a teddy bear that lives inside the Harajuku shop. He is a top host in Kabukicho who lives in a glittering penthouse in Shibuya, but he spends all his money on Atelier Pierrot items and his apartment is now so crammed full of gothic lolita that he just lives in a cardboard box on the street.
- Black cat Noir and white cat Lily appear on a lot of novelty items.
Most pieces are made in Japan. They’ve worked with some manufacturers for over 10 years.
Ohashi’s design style was to design as she goes. In contrast, Yuko’s design style is the opposite where she has to plan the design before making it.
Posts featuring Atelier Pierrot
The Great Lace was a J-fashion event that took place March 29-30, 2025 in Chicago, IL. I first took notice of The Great Lace’s advertising in 2023 because I was…
Harajuku has become a globally recognized epicenter of youth culture and fashion. The streets of Harajuku are known for being the birth place of many eccentric trends and styles. Harajuku…
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…
![The Great Lace Tea Party [Event Report]](https://stephano.me/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/thegreatlace_teaparty_thumb-1200x1200.jpg)
The Great Lace held their official tea party on Sunday March 30, 2025 in Chicago’s own Palmer House Hotel’s Grand Ballroom. Per the room name, the ballroom was indeed grand…
Happy Valentine’s Day! I actually wore this all red outfit for Lunar New Year for auspicious reasons. Red is the color of good luck! I need to maximize my luck…
Publisher Details Title Gothic & Lolita Bible Vol. 4ゴシック＆ロリータ バイバルVol.4 ISBN-10 4860480392 ISBN-13 978-4860480394 Price 1300 yen + tax Publisher Nouvelle GooPublisher: Tomoji KishimotoEditor: Mariko Suzuki Publish date June 10,…
For the first day of Tokyo X 2023, I decided to wear OTT black and white gothic lolita. With this outfit I wanted to utilize some of the items I…
Atelier Pierrot A/W ’23 Fashion Show @ Anime Weekend Atlanta
Anime Weekend Atlanta, abbreviated AWA, is the largest anime convention in the southeastern United States. It took place on October 26-October 29, 2023 at the Renaissance Waverly Hotel & Cobb…
Atelier Pierrot held their annual brand party on November 23, 2023. The party occurred at the St. George’s Bar inside the Hilton Tokyo hotel. During the party, Chie, a long…
Plus Size Lolita Fashion Manufacturing from a Japanese Brand’s Perspective
As an overseas lolita, it’s difficult to understand how or why Japanese lolita brands make certain decisions. One question asked frequently since the inception of the EGL community is “why…
