J-NEWS #2: JAPAN FASHION POP CULTURE AMBASSADORS, FRUITS MAGAZINE BOUTIQUE OPENS IN SHINJUKU.
C-Scout Japan is an excellent source for news about “Cool Japan”, which is increasingly tied to Gothic Lolita Punk fashion. According to the site, FRUiTs has moved beyond the magazine to open a new retail space, FRUiTs MiX, in MaruiOne Shinjuku. Above are some photos from the recent re-opening of the seminal department store. C-Scout reports: “A number of locally influential Harajuku boutiques (like Faline and Dog) and vintage shops (Berberjin) are involved in the project. Street savvy designer Nozomi Ishiguro has also been tapped to create a limited edition line, Nozomi Ishiguro FRUiTS PUNCH, for the select shop.”
Whenever I visit MaruiOne, I’m only interested in floors 5 to 8 (which you can see in this post). Now that FRUiTS is part of the mix, I can’t wait to check out the second floor. How about you?
C-Scout also blogs that Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has named three kawaii models to be Pop Culture Ambassadors. These girls (Misako Aoki, Yu Kimura, and Shizuka Fujioka) will represent three style tribes (Lolita, gyaru, schoolgirl); they’ll travel the world promoting J-pop culture. “First stop: The upcoming Japan Fest in Bangkok, followed by a summertime stint at the Japan Expo in Paris.”
You may recognize Misako (far left) and Yu from the pages of Kera Magazine. Does this campaign seem forced, much like the Hangry & Angry girl group? Or will it promote a positive image of Japanese street fashion? Strange to think that the indie Nagomu Girls – precursors to today’s Lolitas – would one day be sponsored by the government…
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23 Comments
I love this idea , maybe a little strange considering its the government sponsoring them but ohwell
I want to go to japan so bad! I love ur posts and ur blogs ^.<
I love this idea , maybe a little strange considering its the government sponsoring them but ohwell
I want to go to japan so bad! I love ur posts and ur blogs ^.<
Thanks! <3 I hope you'll get a chance to visit soon.
Yu Kimura is promoting gyaru?
Interesting…
Yu Kimura is promoting gyaru?
Interesting…
Gothiloli's rock!utsukushi! Kawaii.
gyaru? ive seen that model in Kera and such, shes not gyaru…..thats weird.
Right? I don't know too much about these models, but I'm guessing that they're models and don't necessarily identify with any of these subculture styles in real life…
Gothiloli’s rock!utsukushi! Kawaii.
gyaru? ive seen that model in Kera and such, shes not gyaru…..thats weird.
Right? I don’t know too much about these models, but I’m guessing that they’re models and don’t necessarily identify with any of these subculture styles in real life…
Kimura is definitely not representing gyaru, that's what the website you quote as a source made out of it. The newspaper articles i read about it (http://mainichi.jp/select/wadai/news/20090227k0… for example) mention Aoki as Lolita, Fujioka as a schoolgirl with fashion sense (or something) and Kimura representing 'Harajuku's remade fashion'.
Seeing gyaru chosen by the government would seem really weird, anyway – i don't think they'd see anything special about their styling, as for old-fashioned people they still are delinquents from back in the 90's or simply trying to copy western styles. They feature a normal school uniform as something fashionable here…there's nothing that screams 'gyaru do not want' louder than this.
I can't decide yet if it seems forced, that will depend on how they showcase themselves at actual events. Kimura and Aoki could do pretty well, but I doubt the sailor fuku girl will do much except attracting some otaku.
Does anybody know how long the FRUiTS mix boutique will stay open? I'd love to check it, but can't do so until summer.
Kimura is definitely not representing gyaru, that’s what the website you quote as a source made out of it. The newspaper articles i read about it (http://mainichi.jp/select/wadai/news/20090227k0000m040056000c.html for example) mention Aoki as Lolita, Fujioka as a schoolgirl with fashion sense (or something) and Kimura representing ‘Harajuku’s remade fashion’.
Seeing gyaru chosen by the government would seem really weird, anyway – i don’t think they’d see anything special about their styling, as for old-fashioned people they still are delinquents from back in the 90’s or simply trying to copy western styles. They feature a normal school uniform as something fashionable here…there’s nothing that screams ‘gyaru do not want’ louder than this.
I can’t decide yet if it seems forced, that will depend on how they showcase themselves at actual events. Kimura and Aoki could do pretty well, but I doubt the sailor fuku girl will do much except attracting some otaku.
Does anybody know how long the FRUiTS mix boutique will stay open? I’d love to check it, but can’t do so until summer.
Ahh I see – thanks for the clarification. At the announcement, Kimura appears to be wearing… I don’t even know how to describe it. It looks a bit like the Avril Lavigne collection with Harajuku accessories, haha.
I think the Fruits Mix boutique is open indefinitely. ^__^
Ahh I see – thanks for the clarification. At the announcement, Kimura appears to be wearing… I don't even know how to describe it. It looks a bit like the Avril Lavigne collection with Harajuku accessories, haha.
I think the Fruits Mix boutique is open indefinitely. ^__^
Thanks! <3 I hope you'll get a chance to visit soon.
That really *is* strange that the Japanese government would want to deliberately push street style into the outside world… but, eh, it's Japan, what are you going to do? ^^; Thanks for the blog reccomendation… I'll have to check it out! ^^
That really *is* strange that the Japanese government would want to deliberately push street style into the outside world… but, eh, it’s Japan, what are you going to do? ^^; Thanks for the blog reccomendation… I’ll have to check it out! ^^
I really like Misako Aoki, hope they will go to Sweden aswell^^ Would be awsome to see her IRL
I really like Misako Aoki, hope they will go to Sweden aswell^^ Would be awsome to see her IRL
i reelly like your clothes!!! very cool..! Sweet_666 (aRgEnTiNa.)
i reelly like your clothes!!! very cool..! Sweet_666 (aRgEnTiNa.)
i reelly like your clothes!!! very cool..! Sweet_666 (aRgEnTiNa.)