Harajuku?!
 

Hi everyone

Im facinated with Harajuku style, I'm even doing a college paper on it! I'd love to get as much info on it as i can but only from people who are well informed on it !:confused: What I really what is to get a very brief interview with people who do the whole Harajuku thing?! :)

Thanks I would really appreciate help :) :) :)
KeywiiKate

Harajuku is a place in Japan where teens go and hang out. They are usually the outcasts of society [the equivilent of Goth and Punk in the UK and America] that gather together in groups, to socialise, and some also pose for tourist photos. There isn't really a generic Harajuku style - there are many different styles in Harajuku, such as Decora, Ganguro, Lolita and Visual Kei to name a few. Look in books called 'Fruits' and 'Fresh Fruits' which have a lot of images of styles in Harajuku.

That's how I'd put it, anyway ^-^ I picked freedom of expression because Harajuku isn't really a style.

If you want to interview me, I dress Gothic Lolita quite often, and I know quite a bit about it. That would be fine by me ^_^ I am not from Japan though, I am from the UK.

Harajuku?!
 

Please only post in one place! This one will get deleted now >.<

Fashion. No more, no less. To me, anyway.

Some Harajuku styles run deeper than just the clothes they wear. For example, Gothic Lolita highlights modesty, etiquette and being polite to one another.

Some types of fashion are just fashion, such as what's in this season etc. But some types of fashion have been around for years and have a history and attitude that runs deeper than just what's on the outside. Normally fashion is physical representation of your beliefs and interests, too.

Sure some of them have actual beliefs, but those ain't the ones you see in the street overly dressed with way too much makeup on. In my opinion, these kids just seek a little attention, they enjoy the whole "Oh-look-at-me-I-am-such-a-transgressive-teenager-Feel-my-wrath!- thing. I hardly ever see them having much of an attitude; they are far more concerned about how hardcore they look. I do have beliefs and interests too, but I do not need to show the world what these are, I don't wanna be defined by a piece of cloth; if they do that's just fine by me, just don't ask me to see it as something other than a fashion, a passing one.

Nobody wants to be defined by a piece of clothing, but unfortuneatly that's how society is. I dress differently from other people, not for attention, but just because I simply like something else. Sure, some people dye their hair neon pink for attention, but others may just like it, and if they're anything like me, don't give a damn whether people look at them or not. And trust me if I could avoid all the NEGATIVE attention which I get, I would, however I won't supress how I dress for others. Just today I had people shouting at me, saying 'get a fashion sense.' I'd rather avoid attention and just be accepted for being me. Most people I know don't dress differently to be 'Oh-look-at-me-I-am-such-a-transgressive-teenager-Feel-my-wrath!' as you put it. They just like different things to other people. You could describe common fashion as, 'OMG-I-need-to-look-like-everyone-else-or-I'll get-beaten-up' thing. The point in having opinions is to express them, be it through words, or even clothing sometimes.

How do you justify the way you look? Do you pick clothes because you like them? That's an expression of what you like. Do you pick clothes just to look like everyone else? That's an expression of conformity. Do you pick clothes because you want to stand out? That's an expression that your opinion wants to be heard. Whether you like it or not, you are judged by what you wear, and personally, I'd rather make it a reflection of myself.

I dress the way I do because I like how it looks on me, not because I want people to judge me on the clothes I wear. What I look like is not a reflection of my thoughts, my words and my actions are. This is who I am and what I stand for. Behavior, not looks.

I'm not saying that everyone who dresses differently from the "straight crowd" do so in order to catch everyone's eye; but most of them have no interest other than being original, guess it makes them feel special; but I bet if you actually walk up to these people and ask them why they dress that way, they won't have any genuine reasons to. How many people who wear an Anarchy symbol on their shirt know what Anarchy actually is?

You know, maybe I just don't need to express my opinions everytime I decide to go for a walk. If wearing clothes that let people know what I'm like means they'll just take me for granted, then I don't want to give them the satisfaction of thinking they have gotten to know me by taking a look at my style.

Now hey, that's just my view on it; take no offence ^^' It differs from yours but I think that's something I can manage to live with xD! So let's be cool about it.

Yeah I agree with that, there are a lot of people at my school who just basically go around in a big gang copying each other xD I should probably ask them why they dress that way, and like you said they wouldn't be able to tell me! The annoy me though, gah -_-=

Anyways, before I start ranting about them :D Primarily I want my words and actions to represent who I am, and they do. I don't care what randomers on the street think of me, or need them to know what I think. I just wear clothes that look good, suit me, and yeah I dress regarding things I like so I suppose it is a reflection of myself. You said you pick clothes because you bascially like them, so your clothes are your personal taste, and you can't escape that. Dressing a certain way doesn't mean they instantly know everything about you, it's never like that >.< But no matter what you do, people WILL and DO judge you on your looks. Personally, I don't conform to that, and obviously you don't either, but some people do. I wasn't talking about me personally too much, just trying to figure out reasons why a person might dress in that way in Harajuku, because I can't imagine it's all just for attention.

I cannot begin to guess how many times I have argued both sides of this issue. You are both right, depending on the person and circumstance.

What I have experienced is that those who truly express an inner nature by their apparel truly appreciate that those who dress similarly help define the look to outsiders, whether they have any thought behind their choices beyond "ooh, neat!" or not. By the same token they have every right to resent those who are dressing that way simply because they want to either fit in or contrast themselves to others, because it dilutes the message - sometimes even perverting the original message of the fashion.

But there is always a meaning behind how one chooses to be seen in public. There is still intent, regardless of whether its to call attention to a philosophy or simply to demonstrate that you don't care beyond comfort issues.

For instance, when I see someone wearing a leather collar or heavy neck chain I have a simultaneous, if somewhat schizophrenic reaction. You see, at one point in my life a leather collar was something my partner earned from me. It was a symbol of loyalty and service, not a trinket that was fashionable or that you purchased for yourself. When I see one around a neck in public, part of me appreciates that it could move from its history in with those of us in an even deeper subculture to something worn by another generation in defiance of the norm, part of me is amused because often I can sense the wearer has no clue what it means in that other world, and part of me wants to challenge the person to defend their right to wear it because it degrades that history.

I think "outcasts" might be too strong a word. Mostly I think they dress that way because the fashion appeals to them. They are not spat on or sworn at. Often people ask those dressed up at Harujuku (or in Tennoji in Osaka) to pose with them for pictures, and they are usually happy to oblige.

Ah, I see, thankyou for that information. What I was trying to get across is that not every Japanese person dresses that way, and that they are a minority, which I presume is correct?

Calling them a minority would be generous. A minority of a minority of a minority is more like it.

I think some people have a somewhat misguided view of Harajuku... if you go there on any day besides Saturday or Sunday, there's very very few people dressed up there. The only time you really see a lot of people dressed up is on a nice Sunday afternoon. Even then, most the people there are just regular folks. Most see it as a hobby, not a lifestyle. A lot of the people you see dressed up there on a Sunday will be dressed up in normal clothes any other day of the week, on their way to work or school or whatever.

Harajuku is a type of visual kei, I said a freedom of expression. Because in a way when people do dress up like that they want to be different and not the same like everyone else. That's how I see it at least. I think it's quite a pretty style and like in Japan I don't do it everyday, only when I've got time to apply all the makeup which is usually on the weekends. The reason I do it is because I like to be different than everyone else. I refuse to follow the 'cool' fashions at my school or have a 'normal' type of hairstyle-after all, right now I have my hair cut like one of Miyavi's old hairstyles (I think I found the pic and I liked it), but it pretty much is pretty short and shaved on both sides, it's kind of like a mohawk in a way but I just mess it up I don't do the whole spiking thing.

I see, that is what I sort of anticipated. A lot of people seem to think Japan is full of J-rockers, Lolitas, and Visual Kei -_-=

Yeah, I agree, that's a pretty good way to sum it all up :D

:D



Thanks an interview would be really helpful :D

Basically its just a few very short questions::confused: :)
1) what made you choose goth-loli as opposed to other versions of harajuku? (besides self-expression, was there any other reason?)
2) How often would you dress in Harajuku clothes?
3) What do you think of the other Harajuku styles, Kawaii, Gyaru, etc? do you hate one or the other etc?
4) Do many of your friends/ any boys dress in Harajuku stuff?
5) When you're in public what reaction do you get from others? positive/negative in regards to your outfits?


once again thanks a million :)

Okies, I'll PM you with the answers :)

harajuku?
 

Thanks! i replied to the post yesterday with questions and cant seem to find it! so if you get this twice disregard, im new to this forum and im still a little lost. :o

1. why did you pick goth-loli, were there any other reasons besides ur personal self-expression?

2. do ur friends or any guys dress in harajuku?

3. is there any other harajuku variation that u hate/think is stupid/love/etc.?

4. what reaction do you get when you dress goth-loli in public negative/postitve?

5.

i cant remember my fifth question, but i really appreciate all your help. there are few harajuku girls in ireland from what i can see, so its hard to get good sources of info.
thanks :D

Yeah I already replied to you in a Personal Message. Go to your User CP at the top left hand side, click it, and you'll see you've got a message from me ^_^

All the answers are in that PM I sent you.

I swear Harajuku fashion started because Gwen Stefani's back-up dancers, Love Angel Music & Baby, are originally from Hrajuku and their sense of dress inspired others to follow it. There were soon known as the Harajuku Girls... etc etc:vsign:

You think Harajuku fashion started because of Gwen Stefani's backup dancers? Umm..:rolleyes:

lol. o.o

i dunnoo... i think because of them more people around the world started to know about it

A new teenage subculture

what is ur opinion??
 

What do u tink about Gyaru and do u prefer them or Geisha??

of course I prefer Geisha! And I don't like gyaru at all ><
(but I have some gyaru (girls and boys) friends)

Fair enuff... i dont need to make my skin dark anywayzz:mtongue:

Noo :O Gwen Stefani's back-up dances are inspired by the Harajuku lifestyle - there is no way they started it. The Harajuku style is way older than they are.

I chose freedom of expression.
I think some of it is really cool.

Harajuku isn't a fashion style or trend. Harajuku is a district in Tokyo where young fashionable Japanese teens go to flaunt their unique style. But I'm pretty sure everyone knows that by now. lol

I choose Freedom of Expression from the poll. To me, Japanese Fashion is all about being unique and showing your individuality. Stand out from the crowd and be wild with it! That's why Japan is my fashion capital! Japanese Fashion is so creative and colorful and different from the fashion styles and trends I'm used to seeing over here in the U.S. Especially all the Hollywood styles. I much perfer Japanese Fashion to Hollywood Fashion.

Also, I really don't think anyone in the U.S., expect maybe Anime fans, would publicly flaunt their wild and crazy style. It might come off as weird. lol. But in Japan you can be as unique as you want to be!

...
 

well i just now started getting into harajuku and stuff and i personaly think its as much a freedom of expression as any clothing style evr invented. the way you dress is only the way to express and show everyone who and what you truly are. and if you only dress like that for shock value than i suggest stopping because that makes you a poser and noone i repeat noone likes posers. well thats all i have to say. XD

Freedom of expression XD

I would think it's the opposite. Doesn't Japanese society encourage people not to stand out too much, like the nail that sticks out gets hammered down? And there are plenty of Americans with crazy styles, just not so many who wear harajuku- type stuff.

I'm just getting into doing the Harajuku, Visual Kei type thing myself. I have to say Meeting and seeing people on this site helped me expand my mind to reach a much wider veiw of things.

I haven't gone out in public or done much with Visual Kei but when I started to really look at the style and how it works and how you do it. It facinates me, the level of expressions and things you can say with that style. If you're really into it, your paticular look will be different from anyone elses. You might be lumped together with similarities but when you really get down to those that really like the style for the right reasons you find that it moves and changes with them. And that kind of freedom is amazing, and is something I don't think should be taken lightly.

I wouldn't define them as "outcasts", if you look at them on any day but Sunday, they dress and look like anyone else. At the end of the day they change their clothes and pack their costumes in the little suitcases which they all wheel around. Dressing up and going to Harajuku is a social thing, whereas Goth/Punk are rather anti-social self-outcasts.

And they are not entirely teenagers, you'll find people there of all ages, even some in their 50's, men and women.

This is why i like all of the Japanese fashions and subcultures because people get to be what they want and dress and act how they want. It's like a breath of fresh air cuz usually every1 conforms to the norm so the freedom's nice. I really wanna visit Japan 1 day!