Blurred colors, glaring lights, stark white faces, bright candy pop colors - the ultimate simpering child-woman look. A Harajuku Girl look to be precise. In the movie Babel, the vivid, surreal world of Tokyo grabbed you, captured your imagination and spun you in a tizzy. And at the center of it was the Harajuku girl. But, until they didn’t make an appearance in Gwen Stefanie's 2004 album Love.Angel.Music.Baby, this fashion was exotica for most of us. Gwen's "Hollerback" video brought Harajuku girls center stage. salon.com has this to say about the phenomenon - "They're on the cover of the album, they appear behind her on the red carpet, she even dedicates a track, "Harajuku Girls," to them. In interviews, they silently vogue in the background like living props;…"
Harajuku became famous in the 1980s due to the large numbers of street performers and experimenting teens who gathered there on Sundays when Omotesando was closed to traffic. Today, the phenomenon of Harajuku Girls has been received with much gusto by the fashion world who are said to go down to Tokyo for "inspiration." But many others view the Harjuku style with an explanation that possibly cannot define sub-cultures. Feminists have spiraled into a tizzy about how this style reinforces Asian women stereotypes and a Japanese school girl in uniform is certainly a stereotype.
The style just happens to be an expression of some highly creative individuals that gather together in the Harajuku district of Tokyo. The edgy Harajuku style is all about layering and a look that's daring and bold. Not for the faint hearted. But then fashion isn’t for the faint hearted. Gwen Stefani's Harajuku Girls and her accessory brand Harajuku Lovers with items such wallets, totes and iPod cases ranging from $20 to $100 are a big hit with those who love fresh, self styled kooky looks. So, wanna create the Harajuku look…just look up some references on the net and some retail therapy will definitely remedy the non-availability of any Harajuku style brand in India as yet. But remember that this is purely about originality and creativity. In fact it's an irony that this look is even packaged and sold in stores.
There is no way that Harajuku style can be pin pointed. There is no way that fashion tips for this style can be crafted. This is original. So original, that it is difficult to trace the roots of this street fashion. It has not come about to protest the rise of commercialization, globalization or the end of ethnic identity. It was just a bunch of teens that incorporated a Japanese style of dressing into everyday dressing. The image that comes to mind is is theatrical and certain costumes, such as schoolgirl and maid costumes are popular. Wild accessories, whacky combinations, ethnic costumes mixed with other cultural influences, its definitely an eye grabber. If you believe in blending in, then this style will not be your cup of tea. It screams - "I dare you to look at me."
http://www.harajukulovers.com/
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