On any given day, international Japanese students Atsumi and Candy will dress up in loud colorful garments with equally expressive accessories, such as head clips, rings and animal shaped bags. This head turning and visually expressive style originates from Japan and is known as Harajuku fashion.
Harajuku fashion started in Japan and includes many categories such as Lolita, decora, and cyber. This eye-catching fashion style is a popular fashion norm in Japan, but not everyone will dress in this way and will only choose to do so on occasion.
“Harajuku fashion is empowering in that it allows us to express ourselves and escape from a harsh reality.” admits Atsumi the graduate UBC student researching harajuku fashion from Japan.
Atsumi and Candy demonstrated putting on decora make up. The make-up process was definitely elaborate, it took nearly 30 min to put on “kawaii goods” stickers, and glitter for both Atsumi and Candy. (check out the video with interview below) Click HERE to view the video on mobile.
Similar to all unique fashion statements not everyone will appreciate or accept the fashion. Atsumi and Candy share that some individuals dressed in Harajuku fashion are victims of harassment in Japan. A Japanese event known as the Harajuku Fashion Walk brings awareness to the issue. Participants and supporters of the fashion, can come together and connect, building a community over their similar experiences. It is for this reason that Atsumi and Candy want to bring the event to Vancouver.
Atsumi and Candy’s Kawaii goods
Atsumi in Harajuku fashion decora
On Saturday February 20th 2016, Vancouver will hold its first Harajuku Fashion Walk, organized by Atsumi and Candy. The walk will start at 2 pm in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery and continue along Granville Street, and ending at the Olympic Cauldron. This inaugural event will allow cosplayers to participate, which does not happen in Japan’s Harajuku Fashion Walk.
Stay tuned and check back for video and highlights from Vancouver’s first Harajuku Fashion Walk event. See you at the walk!
Go HERE to find out more about the Vancouver Harajuku Fashion Walk event!
Filed under: Ultra Nerdy Tagged: anime, cyber, decora, Harajuku, japan, Japanese, loita, nerdy
