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 (stores.jp)
- Online shop (shop.pro.jp)
- Wunderwelt Fleur (Japan)
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
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…
Atelier Pierrot on Business, International Marketing, and Plus Size Lolita Clothing [Interview]
![Atelier Pierrot on Business, International Marketing, and Plus Size Lolita Clothing [Interview]](https://stephano.me/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/atelier_pierrot_interview.jpg)
Atelier Pierrot is one of the original gothic lolita brands of Japan. Their flagship store is located inside the famous LaForet department store located in the heart of Harajuku. Atelier…
Atelier Pierrot, a gothic lolita fashion brand from Japan, showed their spring and summer 2023 collection at A-Kon 32. This year’s fashion show collection featured elegant and luxurious pieces from…
Welcome to my wardrobe post: 2021 edition! This is the most complete wardrobe posts I’ve ever made. Usually, I procrastinate and run out of time before January ends, so I…
Y’know it sucks when it’s November and I still can’t wear a jacket outside! Thus is the Houston life. If you live in a tropical or humid climate, then you…
During Japan’s quarantine, Atelier Pierrot was one of the many brands creating hashtags to promote staying home during the pandemic. The shop staff created a new Twitter account (@PierrotStaff) to…
Arisu Lolita & J-Fashion Market was held on June 15, 2019 at the C-140 located in downtown Houston. Arisu is a Houston-based biannual market. These are my snaps from their…
ATELIER PIERROT’s CEO and designer Ashizawa Yuko recently announced the launch of a new sister brand Vallée lys, The name is faux French for “lily of the valley.” Besides the…
