"

on the Latest Tokyo Style Trends

La Carmina is the go to blog for fans of trendy, Harajuku Japanese fashion. In the past years, this young Gothic sweet lady made the leap from blogging to TV hosting. Remy: What are the fashion trends of 2013 in Japan?

La Carmina: It's difficult to speak about Japanese fashion trends in general, since there are so many ""style tribes,"" such as gyaru and Gothic Lolita, each with distinctive themes for 2013. However, Harajuku street style is especially in the spotlight this year, thanks to the international success of kawaii singer Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, and the growing popularity of Tokyo street style stars on Tumblr. These current looks include artful pattered tights, tall creeper shoes, layered studded/punk clothing, and pastel hairstyles. In addition, the ""Black Diamond gal unit"" is now making a big push to expand overseas, via English language blog posts and Facebook page interaction. This unit consists of 100 ""ganguro"" gals; their style is characterized by tanned skin, dramatic false eyelashes, fuzzy leg covers, animal prints, and big teased hair.

La Carmina: Unfortunately, the Western media often misrepresents rare phenomena as ""Japanese trends,"" leading to a false impression of the fashion scene. For example, last fall, the media went crazy over ""bagelheads,"" or forehead saline inflation. Some articles suggested that teenagers were walking around Tokyo with permanent bulges on their foreheads! In fact, bagelheads are temporary, and only a handful of procedures are performed among the most hardcore body modders. My production company, La Carmina The Pirates works closely with Tokyo's bagelhead community and arranged four TV shows about this body mod to date. You can learn more about it in my bagelhead article.

Similarly, shippo tails and yaeba teeth procedures are not as widespread as some might believe. I wouldn't characterize them as trends, if we define a fashion trend as something most Japanese people are aware of, and that is widely seen in magazines and boutiques.

Intricate pattern and tattoo tights, however, could be considered a trend; these stocking designs are seen all over Harajuku, yet the brands are not available in Western stores, and most Europeans are not familiar with the look. In addition, not all Europeans know about Japanese street styles, such as Gothic Lolita, dolly kei, and gyaru. Burberry face mask.

La Carmina: At the moment, I don't think international high end brands are particularly influenced by cutesy/decora Harajuku style. However, there are definitely Japanese design elements in 2013 collections, cheap jerseys online china such as Prada's tabi shoes, kimono draping, and floral motifs.

Remy: If you could tell me a little bit about what you cheap jerseys online wholesale think of the cute/kawaii culture/obsession of Japan?

La Carmina: In Japan, cuteness (or ""kawaii"") is a big influence in fashion and design. The word ""kawaii"" first became prominent in the 1970s along with childlike fashion, a cutesy handwriting style called burikko ji, and Hello Kitty. Cute character design now permeates every aspect of Japanese culture, from clothing to cooking. (I even wrote a book, Cute Yummy Time, about how to decorate your meals to look like cute characters.

Some people claim that kawaii infantilizes women, but I think this is over analysis and misses the mark. Every culture has distinct design elements, and in Japan, kawaii characters are part of this consciousness. You'll see it frequently in clothing; for example, my striped Listen Flavor sweater with a cat face, or my cheap jerseys online free shipping white dress that

looks like a happy ghost.

Remy: How important is fashion for young Japanese women? The power of Gyaru Mamas.

La Carmina: There's a strong fashion consciousness in Japan, and plentiful magazines, stores, and meet ups to satisfy the hunger. Style tribes create a sense of identity, which women can carry through the years. For example, ""I Love Mama"" is a surprisingly successful magazine, catering to young gyaru women who have children. No reason to give up the flashy clothes and dyed hair, even if they have a baby!

Remy: How much money do women spend on fashion? What do they like to spend money on?

La Carmina: Not all Japanese women spend large amounts on clothing; Forever 21 and H have been popular with Tokyo shoppers in recent years. However, some women can spend thousands of Euros on a single garment. In particular, the ""hime kei"" style tribe is all about being a princess: fluttery eyelashes, bouffant hair, diamond studded nail art, and pink Jesus Diamante gowns with hefty price tags. Ginza remains a center of luxury international fashion the equivalent of New York's Madison Avenue, with brands from Armani to Zegna. Many Japanese women are fond of intricate nail art, and salon hair straightening or curling.

Remy: How do Japanese fashion/designers/fashion bloggers influence the world of fashion? For example Prada's 2013 line with tabi socks and flower motifs.

La Carmina: Japanese aesthetics have inspired Western designers for centuries, cheap jerseys online shop such as the influence of wood block prints on Art Nouveau. I think we'll continue to see Japanese design motifs and materials appear in worldwide fashion collections. This year, Japanese tailoring (traditional cuts and kimono draping) are particularly visible on the runways. Today, thanks to the Internet, the fashion world can immediately track trends as they emerge from the streets of Tokyo and Osaka.

Remy: Who do you think the most influential Japanese designers/bloggers are at the moment?

La Carmina: A few Harajuku girls have been making waves on Tumblr and in street snap websites. Lisa 13 and Juria Nakagawa are colorful haired high school students known for their studded, Goth punk layering and patterned stockings (Juria works at Avantgarde in Harajuku, which sells these tights). Designer Sebastian Masuda of 6%DOKIDOKI made a worldwide impact in his works with Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, and I think we'll continue to see his influence abroad.

Remy: What do you think of exporting culture via 'Cool Japan'?

La Carmina: The government has embraced the idea of using ""Cool Japan"" to encourage interest and tourism. They even have three ""kawaii ambassadors,"" each representing a different style tribe, to promote Japanese culture overseas. Many young Westerners grow cheap jerseys online up watching anime and reading manga, and develop a passion for Jpop. I think this can be a positive ""gateway""; I hope more people will come to Japan and discover the inspiring, fascinating fashion and culture for themselves.

For more about La Carmina, visit her website, Facebook and Twitter.

Published by Remy G

Fan of Anime, Japan, Cosplay. And with all of the drama and slightly scripted storylines comes a fat paycheck for the people who star in them.

"
Established in the beginning of the new millennium, year 2000, IPLO Logistic Services Sdn. Bhd. aims to provide excellent service for local and international logistic needs. In the course of its service, IPLO Logistics Services Sdn. Bhd. had acquired a total of 15 vehicles, two of them being side loaders. IPLO Logistics Services Sdn. Bhd. was the pioneer company to offer such services throughout the whole northern region of Malaysia. With a dynamic work force of 18 professionally-trained personnels, IPLO Logistics Services Sdn. Bhd. ensures that every aspect of its customers needs is met.

Formerly known as Ipoh Lorry Transport Agency Sdn. Bhd., used to be the transport company that responsible to transport the post used by TNB Malaysia and Telekom Malaysia from Pengkalan Ipoh to nationwide. IPLO Transport Sdn. Bhd. is customer-focused transport provider. With dedicated people ¨C in the office and on the road ¨C we are a highly respected core partner and preferred carrier for a wide range of Fortune...
  • A number of timber jinker lorries to provide transport service.
  • Local Haulier ¨C We transport container from port to customer depot and vice versa.
  • Short Haul and Long Haul Transport Services.