“Licca ~ Symbol of Kawaii” Exhibition Coming to Paris: Licca-chan Helps Japanese-French Cultural Exchange!

To celebrate the 50th birthday of the popular dress-up doll and kawaii representative Licca-chan, the Japan Toy Culture Foundation is organizing an exhibition titled “Licca ~ Symbol of Kawaii” to be held at the Japanese Culture House of Paris from Dec. 6-17.

■ What Is “Licca ~ Symbol of Kawaii”?
Licca-chan has been around for 50 years as a representative of the Japanese kawaii aesthetic. This exhibition showcases the unique beauty, dreams, and future of 100 dolls as well as the changing of aspirations and dreams over the last 50 years. It aims to deepen the friendship between Japan and France through Japanese traditional and popular culture, and who could be better for such a role than Licca-chan, the daughter of a Japanese fashion designer Orie and a French musician named Pierre? The exhibition is divided into four areas: Prologue, French Dream in Japan, Japanese Pop Culture, and Traditional Japanese Culture with different Licca-chan waiting in every area.

“Licca-chan is nearing her 50th birthday, and it is our pleasure to show her world to all the people who love both France, the birthplace of Licca-chan’s father, and Japanese culture through this special event. We hope this exhibition can serve as a bridge for deepening cultural exchange between our countries,” commented Toyohiko Sato, board chairman of the Japan Toy Culture Foundation.

■ Exhibition Info
Name: Licca ~ Symbol of Kawaii
Venue: Japanese Culture House of Paris, ground floor information area
Address: 101 Bis Quai Branly, 75015 Paris, France
Tel: +33 1 44 37 95 01
Duration: Dec. 6 (Tue.) ~ 17 (Sat.), 2016
Open Hours: 12 noon ~ 8:00 p.m.
No rest days, the exhibition will only be closed for the private viewing held on the evening of Dec. 6.
Admittance: free
Sponsor: Japan Toy Culture Foundation
In Collaboration With: Bunka Fashion College, Pierre Hermé Paris, Mellerio dits Meller, Todan Co., Ltd.
Support: Japanese Embassy (pending)

■ Exhibition Areas
**I. Prologue**
This area introduces Licca-chan’s profile and how she has changed since her birth in 1967 along with a brief lesson in Japanese history.

II. French Dream in Japan
This area features two pieces symbolizing French-Japanese relations and the admiration toward France in Licca-chan’s world.

Mellerio dits Meller Licca-chan

Macaron Licca-chan

During the exhibition, Pierre Hermé Paris is celebrating Licca-chan’s 50th birthday with a special cake!

III. Japanese Pop Culture: Kawaii
The largest part of the exhibition, this area features about 80 collaboration dolls representing Japan’s kawaii culture including popular characters, idols in school uniforms, regional fashion, gothic lolita, and more.

Kumamon x Licca-chan

Hello Kitty Fan Licca-chan

Hatsune Miku Licca-chan

Licca-chan Fashion Show from the Works of Young Creators
In collaboration with the exhibition, students of the Bunka Fashion College were tasked with designing a dress in the theme of “futuristic kawaii.” The seven best entries will be recreated and worn by Licca-chan at the exhibition, and there will also be a popularity contest aiding the debut of these aspiring designers.

IV. Japanese Traditional Culture
This area features Licca-chan dolls dressed in clothes symbolizing certain parts of traditional Japanese culture, such as tea and cherry blossoms.

Sakura-matsuri Licca-chan

Licca-chan dolls picking tea leaves

Source: @Press