In September of last year I started planning a little event for our local Lolitas: Bouquet Parfait's Tour and Tea Meet at Meir Palace. When I say local, I actually mean Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and even beyond, because I sent an invite to Lolitas in all of Europe through the Facebook group EGL events Europe. Even though my post in this group only reached one extra attendee I was very happy with it. Most of the attendees I found through the Dutch Lolita server on Discord, the Belgian Lolita Facebook group and by messaging my mutuals on Instagram (whilst being very afraid that I was being a nuisance). Luckily they confirmed they were very happy to be here and that they would be more than happy to join the next event like it. The event itself was amazing and every attendee went home with beautiful memories. I was delighted to have every single one of them with me on that day. Everybody's coords looked meticulously put together and they all looked stunning. I think it's very obvious that I enjoyed this first event a lot and that I'm looking forward to planning another one like it soon.
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| A lovely group pictures in the main hall (2025) |
The day started off with a bit of stress on my side because I was worried about not catching my train in time. To make sure I did, I skipped the blowout I was planning on doing and left my hair a bit more natural. Once on the train I felt some stress being replaced with excitement: I couldn't wait to meet everyone and see their creative coords. However, Belgium's train system decided to let me down by causing me and some other attendants that happened to be on that same train a massive delay. We reached the palace just in time. Unfortunately some others had the same issue and didn't arrive in time causing them to miss nearly half the tour. Our tour guide was happy to see we all looked like we fit right in with the palace which was both Empire and Rococo style. This is why I decided that wearing my Robe à la Française OP by Baby, the Stars Shine Bright was the perfect thing to do. If I had maybe styled my hair a bit better I think I would've fit in a bit better. Unfortunately I don't have a picture of most of my coord because I mainly took pictures with all my outerwear off. I also lent one of my safety pins from my petticoat to another attendee because a button broke off her blouse which caused my petticoat to start peaking a bit (most embarrassing behavior).
Coord rundown:
- Headdress: Baby, the Stars Shine Bright
- Earrings: Vivienne Westwood
- Necklace: Vivienne Westwood
- OP: Baby, the Stars Shine Bright
- Cape: Baby, the Stars Shine Bright
- Gloves: Off-brand
- Bloomers: Off-brand
- Tights: Wolford
- Shoes: Vivienne Westwood
- Umbrella: Baby, the Stars Shine Bright
- Bag: Vivienne Westwood
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| This was a great spot for coord pictures (2025) |
The tour started with this amazingly ravishing salon inspired by the Palace of Versailles. The room was lavishly decorated with golden details and chandeliers that shimmered and sparkled. Of course, we couldn't help ourselves and took many (coord) pictures in this fascinating salon. I think we can all agree that the salon was the highlight of our visit combined with our guide doling out coins to those who answered his questions correctly: "At the end of this tour you might be able to buy this palace." Many coins were obtained by everyone. Yet someone got most of them during a fun fan language game of charades. With this little game we got taught how to say "go away", "I'm in love" and "I think you're ugly" with a fan (isn't this something every Lolita should consider learning?). Qiann was the one acting out all of these movements with a lacey fan and I think they did an amazing job. Not only did the tour guide test our knowledge on art, design and body language, but he also tested our knowledge on our own countries by giving us coins based on how many provinces we could link to their coat of arms. Unfortunately I couldn't guess the one of my provinces; I'm a terrible Limburgian and Brabantian.
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| Napoleon's bed chamber that he never got to use (2025) |
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| I call this the cigar room (2025) |
Once we had guessed why Princess Charlotte Augusta of Wales chose Leopold I over William II (the answer is because she'd fallen in love with Leopold I), we headed to the dining hall. This is where I got a chance to show my napkin folding skills that were basically nonexistent since we had to do it in one minute. How am I supposed to fold a napkin teddy bear in less than one minute? This is where Qiann showed us they weren't only a skilled mime but also a skilled napkin folder. In the last salon I really showed how smart I can be: I mistakenly called Winston Churchill Alfred Hitchcock (yes, I still feel stupid today). Once the tour concluded we enjoyed a lovely afternoon tea at the inhouse restaurant Café Louise. There everybody thanked me again for hosting this lovely afternoon. I even got some chocolate from my dear Lisa that said "Thank you, Nesrine" (yes, I almost started crying). Of course, organizing an event like this isn't easy but it' so worth the hassle (I even created a nonprofit organization named Bouquet Parfait for it). I had such a fun afternoon with Lolitas from all over Belgium, the Netherlands and even Germany. I'm looking forward to hosting another one of these events.
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| The dining hall before we showed everyone our napkin folding skills (2025) |
Thank you, and take care.
What a great organisation!
ReplyDeleteWithout you, we wouldn't have been able to spend this incredible day, discover beautiful places and above all: meet super Lolita from our country and elsewhere! 🥰
I loved this day so much 🩷 I can't wait for your next events! (My camera is ready 🎉)
Oh Laura, your words are too kind! I'm looking forward to organizing another event like it! 🎀
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