Where The Style Things Are

by Alexia Panakos

Tokyo's avenue of the avant-garde

Among the many exciting things that Japan has to offer, from advanced technology to amazing cuisine, you may have heard of something called "Harajuku fashion."

Japanese street fashion is known to be among the most colourful, expressive and unique styles in the world. Sandwiched between Shinjuku and Shibuya, Harajuku is Japan’s youth fashion hub, and with many different sub-styles on display here, you'll find a number of looks, from colourful and crazy to sweet and frilly.

I do find, however, that young people are now tending to gear toward neutral and lighter colours, wearing styles that may look more mature, soft and sweet, or even Korean style as the rising popularity of K-pop music and Korean fashion continues to influence some Japanese styles. Meanwhile, the funkier and more colourful fashions are actually more sought out by foreigners these days, and some brands are clearly reaching out to that market.

As founder of Ghost Girl Goods, I use my passions for music, dance and Japanese culture as inspirations for my brand and my garments. And during my recent travels through Japan—this was now my fourth trip!—I was able to get the inside scoop on various Harajuku spots and events as I ventured through its stylish Takeshita Street and similarly fashion-soaked backstreets.

My adventure first took me to the Laforet Museum, a sixth-floor gallery space on top of the Laforet Harajuku shopping mall. While I was there, the museum presented a number of special galleries marking the 40th anniversary of Laforet Harajuku, and I was interested in two in particular: “Angelic Pretty Museum” (Oct. 26–27, 2018) and “Vivienne Westwood: Get a Life!” (Nov. 2–18, 2018).

The former featured an archive of dress designs from the popular Angelic Pretty Lolita fashion brand. (For those unaware, Lolita fashion is inspired by the rococo era, and uses lace, ribbons and printed fabrics to create beautiful dresses with different themes like “gothic,” “sweet” and “classic.”) Founded in 1979, Angelic Pretty is one of the largest Lolita brands, and you can still see some people around Japan wearing Lolita fashion from time to time.

“Vivienne Westwood: Get a Life!” showcased the British designer's views on society and how she created collections reflecting her ideals. She’s credited with popularizing the modern punk and new wave looks of the ‘70s and ‘80s while promoting awareness of subjects like deforestation and climate change.

Next on my agenda was the 71st Harajuku Fashion Walk. On the last Sunday of every month, both Japanese and foreign fashion lovers gather in front of Takeshita Street dressed up in their most stylish outfits and set off on a mini-walk around Harajuku and the adjacent high street of Omotesando.

Located in a backstreet between Takeshita Street and Omotesando, 6%Dokidoki is one of my favourite brands due to its "sensational kawaii" concept. The shop staff all love the colours of Harajuku fashion, and are lucky enough to be able to wear their personal styles to work! It’s always a delight to visit!

Moving a few stations farther north, I also had a chance to visit Bunka Fashion College in Shinjuku. Begun as a dressmaking school in 1919, this renowned college has produced celebrated avantgarde designers from Yohji Yamamoto to Junya Watanabe. I got to attend the school festival and watch as the graduating students showcased their collections. Their work was absolutely stunning, and I felt like, in comparison to my personal experience in fashion college in Canada, the students’ skills were much more advanced after their studies, and students were offered even more avenues for creative freedom.

I feel that fashion can do so much for people. It can help someone feel stronger and more confident, build connections with people around the world, and help people express their views. My personal vision on fashion is that, as it evolves, we should never be afraid to wear what we want, no matter what’s trending. We should aspire to be strange and stand out from the crowd because that is what asserts our individuality. As the motto of my brand says: Be strange. Fear the norm.

Alexia Panakos

Alexia Panakos is a Toronto-based fashion designer, performer and founder of GHOST GiRL GOODS.