Japanese street fashion or you can call it the Harajuku style has existed since around the early 1980s and street fashion is still prominent in Tokyo today, so punky wild hip young adults can often be found wearing subculture attire in urban fashion districts. It, however, became popular outside Japan later on, in the 2000s. Though the styles have changed over the years, the Harajuku style brand derives its name from Tokyo’s famous Harajuku Station.
The first- ever Harajuku style was formed by mixing traditional Japanese attire and Western clothing. These are the kinds of fashions the local young generation wears daily in stylistic fashion on the streets. Just like these youngsters popularize the Harajuku style, the Harajuku Japan wanted to pass on a message that the youngsters can dress-up in any style that they want.
Harajuku fashion style is actually a strong movement designed against the strict dressing code and the pressure to align with the normal pace. Now, Harajuku style remains among the most trendy fashion styles, regardless of emerging fashion in Japan.
Interestingly, anyone can wear this style. Harajuku is actually a blend of some well-known styles, including Gothic, Gyaru, Sweet, Lolita, Cosplay, and other popular mixes of traditional and western clothing fashions.
Further, many traditional Japanese clothes, like Kimonos and Japanese sandals, have recently been remade with the Harajuku style incorporated. Kimonos can also be paired with a variety of high-flat style shoes, together with cute ribbon as accessory. It can also be paired with some custom-made hair wig or color. Indeed, custom- made and self-made products are retro and vintage clothes and can well be included in the ranks of the Harajuku style.
While trying the Harajuku, the catchword is ‘more is more’. This means the more layers or style, the more fun the wear gets. You will enjoy this as long as you are ready to be creative in wearing whatever you choose. Yes, let your imagination spring to life and become a reality. You may pair the Harajuku with some colorful backpacks, or, alternatively, some baggy-styles of the 80s or 90s era. This works quite well as an accessory of the Harajuku. The Harajuku can also pair well with the neon bright, pastel or hair- color or wigs.
One of the most important components of the Harajuku style are Eye contacts. You are free to choose from either red or green colors, with pretty unique eye contact designs. You can also add some make-up on taste, depending on your unique, chosen Harajuku theme. Some popular subsets of Harajuku include Gyaru style.
What is Gyaru? Gyaru is a unique, girly-style colored-hair that is worn with cute nails. The design was made to be quite peculiar as Gyaru for girls. It was meant to rebel against the ordinary, expressionless, perfect, doll-like look of the Geisha. The next brand is the Visual Kei, styled as a punk, rocky, metal. It was inspired by the Western rock musicians.
Lolita style is another popular design worn by the Japanese. It is borrowed from the Victorian era designs characterized by the wearing of a corset, long skirt, and wig. A typical Lolita fashion is also characterized by the wearing of ballerina gowns and a tutu skirt. Lolita style has many subsets nowadays. This makes the design somehow controversial when a few celebrities wear it.
Fairy Kei is a style which is more inclined towards the pastel and ethereal. It draws its inspiration from the Strawberry Shortcake and My Little Pony. The Decora Kei style is derived from the word ‘decoration'. It is composed of some bright neon colors and other accessories, ranging from stickers, hair, fake tattoos, bandaids , stuffed animals and cute purses. Cosplay may also be considered as a form of Harajuku style. It is worn by dressing up in the manner of some favorite anime characters like Luffy, and Naruto.
Some highly popular Japanese artists, including Kyary Pamyu, J-pop Princess and Gwen Stefani, who love Harajuku style, have made this style to become well-known in the entire world. Kyary Pamyu, for instance, wears the Harajuku style in several music videos in which her own style, brand and keen imagination comes to life.
Harajuku style is quite popular and a style that anyone might try, especially when travelling around Japan. The aim and objective of the Harajuku style is that it serves to express what a person feels by making her wear what she loves. It features some striking mix –and- match colors, makeup dependent on theme, layering, your vision, purpose and passion based on the style you wish to portray.