It was no surprise this season when Prada sent models out on the runway in garments folded like origami and shoes resembling Harijuku towering platforms and Japanese judo socks made of leather and bows. European and American designers have always drawn inspiration from the East. Think Dior haute couture Spring 2007, Proenza Schouler Fall 2012, or evenRodarte’s Mullevay sisters drawing a large amount of their inspiration from manga and anime horror films. Eastern inspiration can be found almost anywhere and everywhere right now but do we really know what the history behind it is?
Many are familiar with what a traditional kimono looks like but what they may not know is that it dates as far back as the 5th century. The design of the kimono was heavily influenced by the Han Chinese Clothing today known as hanfu. From the 8th century and forward the design of the kimono became increasingly stylized with half aprons layered on top of them, worn without trousers or divided skirts and tied together with an obi belt that over the years became wider and tied in very intricate knots. Also the length of the sleeves on kimonos became much longer depending on whether a woman was married or not. By the Edo period (1603-1867) the kimono reached its peak in design and has more or less remained unchanged since. Most kimonos were made of the finest silks and materials and considered great works of art.
When men and women weren’t wearing their specialty kimono’s they dressed down into casual summer kimono’s called yukata’s. Made from cotton or synthetic fabric and unlined these garments were sewn with straight seams and wide sleeves, much like the kimono. Men would generally have shorter sleeves than women. The yukata would be worn with a cotton undergarment (juban), an obi belt, sandals (geta), and a carrying bag (kinchaku). Younger people who wore yukata’s would have them in bright, vivid colors and bold patterns while older people would wear dark, muted colors and dull patterns. Since the 1990’s yukata’s have made a comeback in fashion and are a common sight in Japan. Although these traditional garments can still be found widespread in China and Japan they hardly represent the current fashions seen in these areas today.
TRADITIONAL KIMONO & YUKATA GALLERY
It was only a matter of time for Tokyo, Japan to be named one of the top 5 fashion capitals of the world. Shibuya, one of the 23 special wards of Tokyo, is home to Tokyo’s most famous shopping district and busiest railway stations. For the last 30 years Shibuya has been a haven for youth culture and contemporary fashion, which extends northward to Harajuku, another train station and fashion capital within the Shibuya ward of Tokyo. In Harajuku you can find a plethora of young people in unique street fashion that is seen in no other place in the world and is promoted in several publications such as Kera, Tune, Gothic & Lolita Bible, andFruits.
Several of the styles seen in Harajuku dawned by “Harajuku girls” include gothic, punk, ganguro, Lolita, kawaii, visual kei, and cosplay. Within the Lolita trend there are many sub-trends to it, including Sweet Lolita where girls are often seen wearing soft pastel colors, bow’s in their hair, white stockings, and anything frilly with cupcake prints or polka dots on it. Gothic Lolita is composed of only black and white as the color choices. There is a much more solemn and gloomy mood to this style although you will still find lots of bows on dresses and in girls’ hair.Guro Lolita is inspired by slasher and horror films with girls wearing bleach white dresses with blood splatters all over. There is a variety of this style that includes playing the victim or a hospital nurse with an eye patch and mouth covering. Often the blood splatter will also be on the face and hair of the wearers of this style. Then there is Country Lolita that is inspired by the American Western frontier. Girls wear dresses made of cotton and modest floral or checkered prints paired with white bonnets and wicker baskets as purses. Finally there isKuro and Shiro Lolita. Girls wear all black with corset ribbons on the front of their dresses, black lace and platform heels; or they take a completely opposite route and wear all white with a variety of white hats and bows in their hair and knee high stockings.
HARAJUKU STREET FASHION GALLERY
Kawaii fashion is a branch of the kawaii culture in Japan. Literally meaning “lovable” “cute” or “adorable” kawaii refers to a quality of cuteness in Japanese culture. Over the years kawaii has taken on new meanings such as cool, desirable, charming, or non-threatening. Within Japan women often try to act cute to attract men, and a cosmetic company quickly found that women in their 20’s and 30’s favored the “cute look” with a childish round face. Kawaiistarted as an underground movement with teenagers involving a way of speaking, writing, and dressing. Since its emergence in the 1980’s it has sparked the founding of Hello Kitty andPokemon and has begun influencing day-to-day mannerisms that emphasize helplessness and the innocence of young girls. Kawaii is one of the most popular sub-cultures in Asia and has now become a world-wide industry.
Several of the other sub-cultures seen in Harajuku include Cosplay, also known as costume play or role playing. Boys and girls wear costumes and accessories to represent a specific character or idea. Cosplayers often interact with each other in an effort to create a subculture based on role playing apart from the stage or cultural context. Visual kei is another movement seen among Japanese musicians. It is characterized by heavy make-up, elaborate hairstyles, and flamboyant costumes. It is related to a sub-genre of Japanese rock music that is similar to glam rock, punk rock, or heavy metal.
With all of these flamboyant trends roaming the streets of Tokyo it’s no surprise that some of the most successful and innovating designers come from this area. Companies such as A Bathing Ape and Billionaire Boy’s Club have gained much commercial success across the globe, particularly among the rap and R&B music culture. Within the high fashion world designers such as Kenzo, Issey Miyake, Yohji Yamamoto, and Rei Kawakubo for Comme des Garcons have changed the way the world see’s fashion today.
