Colourful and wild hairstyles, loud and eye-catching outfits, unique and matching accessories… As they walk around the streets, it is inevitable that everyone will stop to stare.
Taken during 6th Harajuku Fashion Walk. Credits: Reeves Photography
So who are these people dressed in a style that we don’t see everyday? They are simply normal people like you and me who adores Harajuku Street Fashion!
These street fashions originated from Japan and it started when teens decide to mix traditional Japanese attire with the more Western and modernised attires. Through this, it bred numerous subculture fashions, a few common ones are Lolita, Gyaru, Fairy Kei and Visual Kei. It is to not be confused with cosplay as cosplay is more of expressing a certain character whereas Harajuku Street Fashion is more expressing one’s inner self through fashion.
Taken during 6th Harajuku Fashion Walk. Credits: Reeves Photography
Outside of Japan, such fashion styles are generally frowned upon on. It may be described as ‘bizarre’ or ‘rebellious’.
Despite that, in Singapore, a bi-monthly Harajuku Fashion Walk Singapore (HFWSG), founded by Noriaki Tsuchiya and his fellow buddies, is set up to allow people who are interested or into Harajuku Street Fashion to wear their favourite outfits, walk around the streets of Singapore together with people of similar interest and to make new friends. While HFWSG started off small, it has been gradually gaining popularity, even making it on television!
Mihiko Jon, a cosplayer and photographer who loves Harajuku Street Fashion has attended a couple of such walks by HFW. When asked about his thoughts about HFWSG, he replied.
“I feel that it was a great opportunity to get to see all the wonderful participants donned in their beautiful & unique harajuku fashion. Being a roving photogtapher for the 4th Harajuku Fashion Walk Singapore, I get to meet new friends & grab some cool shots from them.“
Mihiko first got to know about Hrajuku Street Fashion when it started getting popular many years ago through the internet and media, such as YouTube and NHK World. His favourite style is Lolita, and he loves how Lolita Fashion incorporates the classic Rococo and Victorian Era fashion to bring about the beauty and cuteness in today’s harajuku fashion.
Taken during 3rd Harajuku Fashion Walk. Credits: Mihiko Jon
Another Harajuku Street Fashion lover, Chouko Tsukino, got into the fashion when she mistook Lolita for cosplay. Lolita interests her the most as she believes it has princess elements and long lost modest elegance that has been lost during the early century.
With regards to HFWSG, she says,
“Harajuku Fashion walk is filled with laughter, fun, friendly and interesting people who loves Harajuku fashion. The people around me always came up with different styles on every walk and there will never be anyone who have identical clothes. They may have identical pieces but styled in a different way which never creases to amaze me at how creative they can be in taking clothing to an extend to express themselves.“
She describe Harajuku Fashion as loud and eye-catching, As such, while it the younger generations might be a little more accepting towards such different and extravagant styles, there is still a search and fight for acceptance to dress like this on a daily basis without getting judges or harassed.
Taken during 4th Harajuku Fashion Walk. Credits: Mihiko Jon
Nevertheless, Harajuku Street Fashion is a good avenue for the young and old to go into to find out more about the Japanese subculture. You never know if you might just find the fashion style just for you. Of course, it is tough to make the first step out into the streets with such eye-catching outfits and being constantly aware that others are staring at you. However, Chouko Tsukino has a little advice for you:
“Seriously, just try it out because you only live once right? Just follow your heart and do what you love, does sound cliche but it really does widen your comfort zone and if you keep wearing it, you become more confident in your own skin and you might just inspire someone else.“
All in all, HFWSG has indeed bring together like-minded people who share the same love for the unique street fashion while spreading awareness to as many people as possible.
Do check out https://www.facebook.com/HarajukuFW.SG to be updated about the next coming walk!
Talking about Harajuku Fashion, have you heard of the Moshi Moshi Nippon? With a center situated in the middle of Harajuku with the aim of bringing Harajuku fashion and Japanese culture overseas, with support for overseas fans like money changer, shipping service, maps, free pc and power and more!
And this year they will be embarking on a world tour to bring the fashion style overseas to cities including Bangkok, Singapore, Taipei and more!!
Do stay tune to AFA Channel and we will bring you more information!
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