Japanese Fashion
by Ashley Paterson
Japanese fashion has become extremely popular in North America especially over the last few years ranging from Gwen Stefanie's Harajuku girls to Gap's clothing lines directed at bringing back Asian style. The Harajuku styles have been referenced in a number of prominent media outlets, from television shows to music which describes the off-the-cuff trend-setting styles.
The Harajuku clothing style originated around Harajuku Station in Tokyo, an area where individuals are able to express themselves and be free from the requirements of traditional Japanese style and conduct. Although the Harajuku style is a combination of influences determined by the individual, the methods and combinations of clothing, hair, and make-up have become copied by a large number of North American designers. Although the clothing trends of those in the Harajuku station are more extreme than those being represented here, we are able to see visual similarities and purchasing trends.
Every weekend, swarms of teens flood the narrow street surrounding the Harajuku Station, to parade their personal style-- from Goth to preppy, clean to clownishly rainbow. Wearing fake blood and bandages, dark outfits are often combined with traditional Japanese clothing such as Kimonos and fans as well as modern symbols of every-day Japan such as Hello Kitty, cell phones, and photo stickers. The gathering is often called costume play or cosplay among those who participate, and often the idea is to emulate and act as your favorite video game and anime character.
Lining the streets of the Harajuku station are stores that cater to teens seeking to make the next trendy outfit. Accessory and trinket stores mingle major brands such as Chanel, Dior and Fendi, with all the boutiques available within the strip malls that surround the local area. These cater to the desires of individuals trying to express their inner selves with every accessory they own.
Harajuku Station has become a major destination for those traveling to Japan wishing to experience the pop cultural symbols as well as learning about the deeper meaning behind the fashion. Women in Japanese society are often thought of as traditional beings representing the spiritual aspects of the community, and the visual narrative created from their costumes allow them to express their bodies, selves, and sexuality in new ways.
Sources
MookyChick. http://www.mookychick.co.uk
No-Doubt.net. http://www.no-doubt.net