All Hail Harajuku

Harajuku District, Tokyo is the birthplace of all Japanese fashion. It’s popular for its youth style and fashion.

“Harajuku is known as a place where locals come together and express their talents as individuals through their clothes,” said Japanese teacher Mrs. Natalia Higashide.

According to Mrs. Higashide, on days like Saturday and Sunday, Tokyo locals go to the district to hang out to show off their outfits that most would call unusual and weird. These Tokyo youth let loose by wearing avant garde clothing and make up, inspired by many different things, from anime characters to valley girls from California.

“I enjoy watching these teens. It’s fun because it is like watching a fairytale story,” said Mrs. Higashide.

There are many styles that people consider as Harajuku style. According to blog.starcostumes.com, one style that is very common is called Cosplay. It is when people dress up like characters from books, movies, comics, television shows and also as members of popular bands.

“Some of them wear very interesting clothes. Like in Harajuku, this one guy had on a white skin tight body suit that even covered his entire face. And sunglasses on top of that. There is some crazy stuff there,” said junior Glenn Kugelman, who traveled to Japan with the school last April.

Another style of Harajuku is called gothic Lolita. It is a look that is very popular in Japanese fashion and also has a growing influence in the West as well.

Japanese designers like Kawakubo Rei have brought gothic Lolita to high fashion with her use of dark colors, unusual silhouettes, and draping fabrics. It is a way to look dark, but at the same time maintain a certain amount of innocence and cuteness, which is a very popular idea among Japanese girls.

According to lolitafashion.org, the inspiration for gothic Lolita clothing comes from Rococo styles as well as Victorian and Edwardian era clothing.

The clothing worn by those who follow the gothic Lolita fashion includes petticoats, long socks, Mary Jane type shoes, usually platform heels, head dresses and knee length dresses. Those who follow this style tend to wear mostly black with religious symbols such as crosses as accessories as well as little bat or coffin shaped bags.

Many Japanese students dress in the Harajuku style because they feel the need to express themselves after wearing a uniform during all the other days of the week. Although many adults are critical of the Harajuku look, they still accept and understand it.

“They are just expressing themselves. It’s a way of being different, but within your own social circle,” said Mrs. Higashide.

So from Tokyo to New York, Harajuku is becoming popular. Japanese style also affects Western trends. Although more subtle, the use of ruffles and bows can now be seen on teenage girls in the United States.

In Harajuku fashion, the use of mix-matching colors and patterns helps influence such intricate styles and trends. Popular ingredients for a Harajuku outfit are mostly layering, wild accessories and do it yourself styles to add a unique touch.

“I love fashion because it’s awesome. It doesn’t necessarily define you, but it definitely gives people a good image and first look when they see you,” said senior Wingsum Cheung.

Yet, Harajuku style doesn’t stop there. The help of bold makeup and hairstyles takes Harajuku fashion to a new level.

But the ultimate key is to be confident in expressing your sense of individuality, something seen often in Tokyo fashion.

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