Harajuku Heaven

Always a fan of anything extravagant, it's no surprise that I am a bit of a harajuku groupie. My own accessories collection is full of unnecessarily big bows and loud patterned tights and leggings. Some call it tacky. I call it art.

In the early 1980s, independant shops began to spring up in the Harajuku district of Tokyo and the area became popular for students and young people. Today it is one of the most vibrant representations of youth culture in the world.

Could I get those shorts delivered to my wardrobe asap?
(Tokyo Girls Collection)

Japanese street style is full of fun, harajuku girls are fearless, there's no such thing as clashing, only experimentation and for that I salute them.

Here are pictures from a recent Tokyo Girls Collection show:

http://tokyofashion.com/tokyo-girls-collection-pictures-2011-fashion-brands/

Celebs like Lady Gaga, everyone's favourite 'harajuku barbie' Miss Minaj take inspiration from these crazy girls, for example ...

The Bow

Below is Gaga, in her tamer days, with the infamous hair bow; these days she just puts any old thing on her head, cute or not. Below that is Nicki Minaj with just one of her many hair colours. Conventional hair colours appear to be frowned upon in the Minaj/Harajuku world. Any 'normal' hair colours will need to be supplemented with over-sized hair accessories or an extra extravagant outfit.





                                                                                                                                                                                                              

  

Gwen Steffani used to carry round little troups of Harajuku girls and paid homage to them in videos like Hollaback Girl. The group, who actually call themselves the Harajuku Girls were originally hired as back up dancers but then became like a mini entourage, accompanying her everywhere she went. Note to Gwen: they may be small and fashionable but they are people not accessories.

Gwen and her Harajuku Girls

I'm such a fan of this style because it is innocent and fun rather than in your face sex appeal or try-hard sophistication. Childlike aspects are mixed with crazy quirks to create totally original looks with every outfit. They definitely do not dress for men, or fit in to the pretentious Western fashion industry: they dress for the love of fun and the love of fashion; two things that mix beautifully.