Saturday, September 17, 2016

Liz Lisa Coordinate Olympics コーデリンピック 2016

On August 26, 2016, Liz Lisa announced they would be launching an Instagram campaign called "Liz Lisa  コーデリンピック 2016"!
To enter, post on Instagram and #リズコーデリンピック and tag @lizlisa_official_japan during Sept 5 to Sept 19. Anyone with a public Instagram account was eligible to join using their own original coordinate including international Liz Lisa fans! The items used could be from any season/year (not just the current season) and it was okay to mix with non-Liz Lisa items as well. The items should be worn and easily seen.
  • 1 First place winner would win 50,000yen of Liz Lisa goods. 
  • 1 Second place winner would win 30,000yen of Liz Lisa goods.
  • 1 Third place winner would win 10,000yen of Liz Lisa goods.
  • There is also a LL Siennes pick that would win 1 OP. 
I was excited to know that overseas customers would be eligible as well. I remembered that Liz Lisa had a previous Instagram/Twitter campaign (#lizlisa困り顔選手権) with clothing prizes but I didn't recall how it turned out. This seemed much bigger and would likely include a lot more entries, especially with how they are promoting it!

I immediately started thinking about outfit ideas, but I have to admit I was a little stumped. This happens to me every once in a while. I know I have a ton of pieces, but sometimes because himekaji is just so casual, some outfits just don't feel "special" to me. In addition to just creating a coordinate that I was happy with aesthetically/staying true to my personal style, there were also a few other personal guidelines that I wanted to consider like:
  • items should be from a mix of years (such as 2013 with 2015 and 2016 and not all just 2015)
  • one coordinate option should be an "atypical" (probably not the best word but OK) Liz Lisa coordinate such as a jumpsuit, pants, fitted skirt or even roomwear or a swimsuit
  • possibly using a limited item? (such as the Hep Five limited OP from 2014 or collab item)
  • do not use an established set up or items repeatedly promoted together in shop staff photos
  • outfit should be "iconic" or "timeless" (in terms of Liz Lisa)
  • utilize layering/outer piece if possible
  • have an SS coordinate option and an AW coordinate option
  • hat?
These are just kind of things that I wrote down when brainstorming so I could look back at them while actually trying out combinations, but not exactly "rules" for myself.
I started forming outfits in my head and then tried to go through past outfit/coordinate posts to see if there was anything that stood out to me. Here are some from my IG that really felt like "good coordinates" to me:
From there, I tried to capture that same feeling/what I liked in those in what I was creating going forward. I didn't want to copy something I had already done item for event, so I tried my best to see what other combinations I could come up with. 

My first draft of outfits looked like this -
https://www.instagram.com/p/BJ-lQWejHqD/?taken-by=_emiii_chanhttps://www.instagram.com/p/BJ-lQWejHqD/?taken-by=_emiii_chan
https://www.instagram.com/p/BJ-lQWejHqD/?taken-by=_emiii_chan
"Classic himekaji" - Liz Lisa floral jumperskirt, Liz Lisa sailor blouse, Liz Lisa x Yui Kanno rose drop cardigan, Liz Lisa rose clips, Liz Lisa butterfly necklace, Liz Lisa 3D flower pumps, Liz Lisa 14th anniversary bow watch, Liz Lisa thin ribbon boston bag, Liz Lisa champouf w/flower charm & off brand pom pom charm

"Otona kawaii" - Liz Lisa cambric puff sleeve blouse, Liz Lisa flocked cardigan, Liz Lisa lace border flower skirt, Liz Lisa ribbon shoulder bag, Liz Lisa ribbon pumps, Liz Lisa many flower earrings & off brand pearl headband

"Cool" - Liz Lisa x My Melody 6th collab blouse, Liz Lisa floral jumpsuit, Liz Lisa wide brim fedora, Liz Lisa thin ribbon boston bag, Liz Lisa pearl flower necklace, Liz Lisa 3D flower pumps, Michael Kors watch

I wanted to have options from three slightly different genres that I felt like Liz Lisa encompassed while still maintaining an uniquely "Liz Lisa look" and including florals.

After I had more time to think about it and the new Q&As were added to the FAQ (multiple entries were allowed and "likes" would factor into picking the winner), these outfits didn't really speak to me. 2/3 just felt really "forced" because I was trying to achieve too many things that didn't even matter. I went back in some of my recent coordinate-related blog posts this time (instead of just IG) and picked through what I had come up with and see if any of those particularly stuck out to me and how I could improve on those if at all. From those, I picked (and recreated) these -
https://www.instagram.com/p/BKOMRmZjvJA/?taken-by=_emiii_chanhttps://www.instagram.com/p/BKOMRmZjvJA/?taken-by=_emiii_chan
https://www.instagram.com/p/BKOMRmZjvJA/?taken-by=_emiii_chan
"Girly lame" - Liz Lisa cotton lace frill ribbed top, Liz Lisa monochrome flower skirt, Liz Lisa beret, Liz Lisa pom pom earrings, Liz Lisa flower pearl necklace, Liz Lisa heart suede pumps and Samantha Thavasa handbag with E charm 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BKDyeUSDRAb/?taken-by=_emiii_chanhttps://www.instagram.com/p/BKDyeUSDRAb/?taken-by=_emiii_chan
https://www.instagram.com/p/BKDyeUSDRAb/?taken-by=_emiii_chan
"Summer himekaji" - Liz Lisa cotton lace frill top, Liz Lisa cotton lace frill shorts, Liz Lisa paper can can hat, Liz Lisa butterfly necklace, Liz Lisa knot wedge sandals, Liz Lisa seashell pouchette

"Fruit water w/red" - Liz Lisa fruits water jumperskirt (removable bows used as hair accessories), Liz Lisa flare sleeve blouse, Liz Lisa heart suede pumps

https://www.instagram.com/p/BKQ0P2lDhyR/?taken-by=_emiii_chanhttps://www.instagram.com/p/BKQ0P2lDhyR/?taken-by=_emiii_chan
https://www.instagram.com/p/BKQ0P2lDhyR/?taken-by=_emiii_chan
"Girly carriage bows" - Liz Lisa plain browsing top, Liz Lisa wagon skirt, Liz Lisa lace-up back flower wedge sandals, Liz Lisa rose quilted purse with Liz Lisa Champouf charm, Liz Lisa 14th anniversary watch, Liz Lisa flower pearl necklace, ribbon barrette from Daiso

"Neutrals in autumn" - Liz Lisa opal flower OP, Liz Lisa scoop neck cardigan, Liz Lisa ankle boots, Liz Lisa OP cup Team C bag, ribbon barrette from Daiso

https://www.instagram.com/p/BKYbN9wjJRc/?taken-by=_emiii_chanhttps://www.instagram.com/p/BKYbN9wjJRc/?taken-by=_emiii_chan
https://www.instagram.com/p/BKYbN9wjJRc/?taken-by=_emiii_chan
"Travel" - Liz Lisa bib long sleeve top, Liz Lisa floral overalls jumper skirt, Liz Lisa riders jacket, Liz Lisa OTK boots, Liz Lisa x My Melody 2016 fukubukuro tote, Liz Lisa 2015 web-limited ribbon rose embossed trunk

And since I wanted to include items from the current AW16 season as possible, I definitely wanted to work in my newer bordeaux items (blog post coming soon!) which arrived just in time for this -
https://www.instagram.com/p/BKI8ENCjj3J/?taken-by=_emiii_chanhttps://www.instagram.com/p/BKI8ENCjj3J/?taken-by=_emiii_chan
https://www.instagram.com/p/BKI8ENCjj3J/?taken-by=_emiii_chan
"Otona autumn" - Liz Lisa pleats OP, Liz Lisa 3D flower cut cardigan, Liz Lisa bijou necklace, Liz Lisa glitter pumps, Liz Lisa x Yui Kanno ribbon barrette, off brand rosette pouch

https://www.instagram.com/p/BKV0A_3DIXO/?taken-by=_emiii_chanhttps://www.instagram.com/p/BKV0A_3DIXO/?taken-by=_emiii_chan
https://www.instagram.com/p/BKV0A_3DIXO/?taken-by=_emiii_chan
"Bordeaux check set up" - Liz Lisa check top, Liz Lisa check skirt, Liz Lisa cameo necklace, Liz Lisa x Yui Kanno rose barrette, Samantha Thavasa purse (with Liz Lisa camisole chain), Liz Lisa 3D flower pumps 

 
"Autumn himekaji" - Liz Lisa cut cardigan, Liz Lisa corset tutu sukapan, Liz Lisa flower pearl necklace, Liz Lisa beret, Liz Lisa picnic rabbit shoulder bag, Liz Lisa lace up pom pom pumps 

Obviously I flip flopped a bit as to what direction I wanted to go in for the coordinates for this event, but once they announced that you could enter multiple outfits, I was able to relax a little, and it was a lot of fun! Honestly, I think I would have had a hard time trying to pick just one outfit that really represented me + Liz Lisa. There's so many slightly different sides to the brand that I love to explore and create different type of coordinates with! I didn't end up posting all of these to Instagram but wanted to share them with you on the blog because I feel like the outfits created here really represent some of my favorite Liz Lisa looks at the current time.

If you like any of these outfits, I would love your support on Instagram @_emiii_chan! #shamelessplug
https://www.instagram.com/_emiii_chan/


Update! The winners themselves were contacted directly beforehand but Liz Lisa officially announced on October 14, 2016 at lizlisa.com. There was a domestic and overseas winner for each place (1st) (2nd) (3rd) and three LL Siennes picks!

12 comments:

  1. All of the outfits are so cute! 😊

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  2. It's great that there are so many of us outside of Japan (or foreign girls within Japan) entering the competition. I hope Liz Lisa realises how they have created a fanbase outside of Japan and know they have their support!

    I love pretty much all your coordinates :)

    Good luck!! xx

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    Replies
    1. I think it was very interesting for them to choose IG as the platform and certainly a smart move to extend eligibility considering the enormity of foreign fan base on IG in particular. I hope the amount of participation encourages them to do a similar event every year or so!

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  3. I love that you put so much effort and thought into your outfits. Good luck and I really hope you place~

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    Replies
    1. Haha I think too much thinking might stifle more spontaneous creativity but we'll see how it goes!~

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  4. This contest was so fun, I found so many wonderful creative instagram girls through it who are into similar things as me and really rocked their Liz Lisa coordinates. This event was a great way to find new people to share and connect with over a common fashion interest. Great source of inspiration bringing some fresh ideas into my modest but growing Liz Lisa wardrobe.

    There were many beautiful entries from many lovely girls, but I can honestly say I'd be shocked if you didn't make it to the top three, girl. ^^ So many great options you provided and so much thought and effort you put into them, as usual. I liked all of your entries, but of course the wagon skirt one and the three bordeaux-incorporating ones especially caught my eye. I also adore the first one using the light purple floral JSK- I have the same item, but sometimes struggle with how to coordinate it.

    Ganbatte / Good luck! <3

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    Replies
    1. Haha I have a feeling I may not have hit the exact target for what they were looking for given the examples they posted from the LL SIENNES and "likes" being a factor, but that being said, I personally like what I chose to post and given my personal resources, I'm not disappointed. It's times like this that I wish I had a friend or family member who is at least something close to a photographer because I don't have the balls to go out in public and try and set up a tripod after getting all dressed up lol. But regardless, I'm happy for the opportunity and hope they were pleased with the response to the campaign!

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  5. Sending you all the good luck! All of these outfits are truly perfect and you're very talented!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Ruth! I like to think the clothes kind of style themselves, but I do have fun coming up with slightly different combinations with different items as my wardrobe continues to grow. I know there's always a way to continue to innovate and be creative :)

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