Ryuko Magazine

INSIDE THE STREETS OF

TAKESHITA DORI

E XCLUSIVE

INTERVIEW

of shinori artist

MINORI

NOVEMBER 2013 VOL. 2 ISSUE 3

and many more!

RYUKO 1

MODERN JAPANESE FASHION, ART & CULTURE NOVEMBER 2013 | RYUKO.COM

new Harajuku Lovers fragrance collection from Gwen Stefani

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The concept revolves around the eclectic street style of the Shibuya, Tokyo area of Harajuku and the four Harajuku Girls, Stefani’s Japanese backing dancers.

For more info: http://www.sephora.com/harajuku-lovers

NOVEMBER 2013

VOL. 2 ISSUE 3

CONTENTs

about ryuko

Ryuko is a new Japanese Fashion and

Culture Magazine focused on showcasing up and coming as well as established brands and creatives. Our goal is to bring our readers innovative and distinctive style in Tokyo fashion, art, photography and culture. We hope to discover, promote and inspire new talent. Ryuko takes pride in only choosing high quality editorials, interesting interviews and exciting local artwork. Ryuko is published every month.

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PUBLISHERS NOTE

features

Where to find inspiration

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STYLES & FASHION

Overview of Tokyo Fashion

Cornerstone Brands Japanese Street Fashion High End and Eccentric Fringe Tokyo Styles

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MODERN GEISHA

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THE CRAZY DREAMER

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INSIDE TAKESHITA DORI Harajuku’s Fashion Street Snaps Vendors and Stores in Takeshita Dori

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SEXY DYNAMITE VS. M*ARS

Showcases the brands used by the Harajuku models Suuchama and Rumanjyu.

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Features a well-known Shinori artist Minori and her interview.

Featuring one of Harajuku’s cutest Fashion Blogger, Rainbowholic, and how she was able to pursue her dream in Japan.

art & culture POP UP STUDIO

Sneak peek inside JAPANESE STREETS Pop Up Studio in Harajuku this week at the Design Festa Gallery

ANIME IN REAL LIFE

Check out the streets of Harajuku filled with real life anime characters, wearing harajuku themed fashion clothing.

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NOTE

publishers 4

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fashion. art. culture.

WHERE TO FIND INSPIRATION

W

elcome to Ryuko. We are pleased to launch the beginning of a new japanese fashion and art magazine.

Our premiere issue begins with the hard decision of choosing the cover, you go through countless photos until you find the only one that’s “IT”. Our cover features Harajuku’s famous models, Suuchama and Ryumanju.

Their bold combination of edginess but cute look captures the flair of Ryuko.

If you’re looking for a fresh mix of unique styling, checkout our editorial “Takeshita Dori”. It showcases the dif ferent shops found in Harajuku. The cute souvenirs from Yasumasa “Yone” Yonehar’s shop, Moshi Moshi Kawaii is definitely a must see. Another creative that has caught our attention is Minori, a japanese shinori artist, whom we had the privilege of interviewing.

Her interview opens the view of what it’s liek to become a fashion designer and a

fine artist. Her avant-garde garments are breathtaking with naturalistic structure and beautiful fabric. She is definitely one of Japan’s modern shinori ar tists.

We are also excited to feature Rainbowholic, a Japanese fashion designer who came all the way from the Philippines. We are going to share her experience from how she started as a dreamer, to a very successful internet-famous fashion designer.

Fashion and art is what drives Ryuko. Our purpose is to inspire all artists, fashion designers, and people who like to dress up to look good. Our hope is to become a successful platform for showcasing all forms of fashion design and art in Japan.

We hope you will enjoy our premier issue!

Gladzy, Editor

CAPITAL

FASHION

fashion. art. culture.

OVERVIEW OF TOKYO FASHION

K AWAKUBO

KATIE HOLMES IN REI KAWAKUBO’S CORPSE BRIDE COLLECTION FOR COMME DES GARÇONS

J

apan has long been one of the cornerstones of the fashion industry, presenting to the world some of the most unique and cutting edge styles and new trends, many times years before they catch on in the rest of the world. For that reason, there are a number of popular brands on the market today and many more coming up through the ranks regularly.

CORNERSTONE BRANDS In the 1980s, Japan’s fashion scene burst on to the international scene thanks in part to the work of a small handful of designers and their cornerstone brands. The likes of Rei Kawabuko’s Comme des Garcons, Issey Misake’s Misake Design Studios, and Yohji Yamamoto’s self named clothing line all presenting something starkly different to the world than what the 1980s were developing.

To date, Misake, Kawabuko, and Yamamoto remain three of the most influential names in Japanese fashion, presenting new lines each year and now presenting their protégés and in Yamamoto’s case, their children to the world as the next generation of designers.

While these three brands cannot be categorized directly together in how they make clothing, their staunch refusal in the 1980s and early 1990s to change from single colors and clean lines as well as the development of a wide array of new styles in the 1990s such as Misake’s A-POC and Kawabuko’s Lumps and Bumps collections that have remained in the market place for years.

JAPANESE STREET FASHION The advent of the Tokyo Street style can be in part sourced to the rise of certain fashion brands from companies like Onitsuka Tiger that have been around since the 1950s designing new styles for shoes or A Bathing Ape, a brand that rose quickly through the ranks thanks to its popularity among hip hop stars from around the world. Other brands have grown in conjunction with the popularity of Nigo’s A Bathing Ape brand including Billionaire Boys Club – a joint venture between Nigo and Pharrell Williams, the American hip hop artists and producer.

Subsets of street style fashion including screen print t-shirts have grown as well with companies like Graniph becoming world famous for their constantly rotating supply of t-shirt designs.

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Courtesy of Tokyo Fashion.com

NOVEMBER 2013 | RYUKO.COM

CAPITAL

FASHION

fashion. art. culture TAKESHITA DORI

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he symbol of Harajuku and birthplace of many of Japan’s fashion trends, Takeshita Dori (Takeshita Street) is a narrow, roughly 400 meter long street lined by shops, boutiques, cafes and fast food outlets targeting Tokyo’s teenagers. Because of the street’s popularity, it becomes extremely busy and crowded on the weekends. Interesting shops & restaurants can also be found along some of the side streets.

TAKESHITA DORI AT NIGHT

THIS STREET IS MOSTLY FILLED WITH TEENAGE HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS. IT’S A CLASSIC HANGOUT AFTER CLASS.

Harajuku refers to the area around Tokyo’s Harajuku Station, which is between Shinjuku and Shibuya on the Yamanote Line. It is the center of Japan’s most ex treme teenage cultures and fashion styles, but also offers shopping for adults and some historic sights.

The focal point of Harajuku’s teenage culture is Takeshita Dori (Takeshita Street) and its side streets, which are lined aby many trendy shops, fashion boutiques, used clothes stores, crepe stands and fast food outlets geared towards the fashion and trend conscious teens.

MY HAPPY ROOM

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MY HAPPY ROOM IS ONE OF HARAJUKU’S TRENDY SHOPS FOR TEENAGE GIRLS WHO LOVE TO LOO PRETTY AND DRESS UP FOR FUN.

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In order to experience the teenage culture at its most extreme, visit Harajuku on a Sunday, when many young people gather around Harajuku Station and engage in cosplay (“costume play”), dressed up in excentric costumes to resemble anime characters... continued on page 7

PINK L AT TE (LEF T)

IT’S ONE OF HARAJUKU’S TOP SHOPS FOR TEEN GIRLS WHO ARE SENSITIVE TO FAS H I O N A N D T R EN DS. T H E SHOP HAS A WIDE RANGE OF ITEMS, INCLUDING COSMETICS, STATIONERY, CLOTHES, AND INNERWEAR. AT THE CENTER OF THE STORE, THERE IS A REPLICA OF A WHITE JET, CONTRASTING THE SHOP’S HOT PINK INTERIOR.

TUTUANNA* (BOT TOM)

TUTUANNA* IS A PL ACE TO SATISF Y ALL YOUR LEGWE AR NEEDS. IT HAS A L ARGE COLLECTION OF TRENDY LEGGINGS, STOCKINGS, AND SOCKS. THE Y COME IN A WIDE R ANGE OF COLORS AND PAT TERNS. THE STORE HAS A PINK FRONT AND A T WO -STORY WINDOW DISPL AY.

continued from page 6 punk musicians, etc. Just south of Takeshita Dori and over twice its length is Omotesando, a broad, tree lined avenue sometimes referred to as Tokyo’s ChampsElysees. Here you can find famous brand name shops, cafes and restaurants for a more adult clientele. The stylish Omotesando Hills complex was opened in 2006 and targets fashion conscious urbanites in their 30s and 40s, while Kiddy Land has hundreds of unique toys for kids

of all ages. Harajuku is not only about teenage culture and shopping. Meiji Jingu, one of Tokyo’s major shrines, is located just west of the railway tracks in a large green oasis shared with the spacious Yoyogi Park.

Beautiful ukiyo-e paintings are exhibited in the small Ota Memorial Museum of Art, and the Nezu Museum has an impressive collection of various Asian art as well as a traditional Japanese garden.

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SNEAK PEEK

CHECK OUT ALL OF OUR MOSHI MOSHI K AWAII HAR AJUKU PICTURES ABOVE A N D B ELOW! D O N’T FO RG E T TO TO STOP IN A CHECK OUT THE SHOP (AND SAY HELLO TO YONE) THE NE X T TIME YOU’RE IN HAR AJUKU!

MOSHI MOSHI KAWAII

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asumasa “Yone” Yonehara is one of the most well-known fashion photographers in all of Japan.

Over the last two decades, he has also served as the editor for several influential Japanese fashion magazines. Recently, Yone added a new title to his already-impressive resume – “Shop Owner”. Yone’s new “Moshi Moshi Kawaii Harajuku” is located just off the famous Takeshita Dori in Tokyo’s capitol of youth culture.

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Yone describes Moshi Moshi Kawaii Harajuku as a “souvenir shop” for fans of Harajuku and Japanese kawaii culture. It would be hard to imagine someone with closer ties to Harajuku.

From opening his Harajuku office almost 20 years ago to working extensively with today’s queen-of-kawaii Kyary Pamyu Pamyu – and all of the years in between – Yone has been a major player in Harajuku’s rise on the world stage.

The Moshi Moshi Kawaii Harajuku shop features tons of cute Harajuku-inspired goods based on projects in which Yone has been involved. There are many items related to the current Kyary-led aomoji-kei boom, as well as products connected to the “Harajuku Kawaii” fashion shows of which Yone has been part.

One of the walls of the store is an exhibition of Yone’s photos of popular “Harajuku Kawaii” models, including Seto Ayumi.

HIRARI

HIR ARI IS MODELING SOME OF THE ITEMS THAT NUDE N RUDE STOCKS. WE WANT TO SEND OUT A BIG THANK YOU TO NUDE N RUDE AND HIR ARI IKEDA FOR ALLOWING US TO SHARE ALL OF THESE PICTURES WITH YOU.

NUDE N RUDE

N

ude N Rude is known for its alternative Tokyo boutique and edgy Japanese fashion brand. But the Nude N Rude founders’ vision goes even further – encompassing music, art, and a way of life.

Nude N Rude supports an underground lifestyle they call “Bright Despair”. The intentional contradiction between the words “Bright” and “Despair” can been seen in every project in which the brand is involved. Nude N Rude’s fashion – and other artistic endeavors – proudly alternate between gorgeous and grotesque, pretty and ugly, cute and scary.

Founded in 2009 by Riria & Nana, Nude N Rude has launched an assortment of creative projects – from hosting parties to promoting

bands to bringing artists into the shop for live painting to organizing elaborate visual performances. The Nude N Rude boutique, located in a nondescript building in the Koenji neighborhood of Tokyo, easily stands out from the nearby resale and vintage shops. The mannequin in front of the store often wears a colorful wig and bondage gear. Through the window, interior walls covered in art and graffiti are easily visible. For those who miss all of the visual clues, the loud rock music blaring from somewhere in the back of the shop is a sure sign that you’ve arrived.

Nude N Rude stocks a mix of Japanese and international fashion brands, including a number of alternative and indie designers who aren’t available anywhere else in Japan.

The shop’s inventory and designer list is ever-changing, but some of the current labels include Kreepsville 666, Lime Crime, Pleaser, Dollsville NYC, Chaos Royale, Sourpuss, ukiyo5, Iron Fist, and Nikki Lipstick.

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SEXY DYNAMITE LONDON & GLAD NEWS VS. MA*RS & D.I.A. IN HARAJUKU Suuchama and Rumanjyu are two striking Japanese models who we met in Harajuku. You might remember Rumanjyu from our front cover page.

SUUCHAMA

frontCOVER photo by tokyo fashion

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SU U C H A M A IS A 22-Y E A R O L D T H AT K EEPS U P TO DAT E W I T H W R I T I N G HER BLOG. SHE IS WEARING A D.I.A. CUTOUT SHOULDERS SHIRT WITH PANTS FROM MA*RS, WHICH FEATURE L ACE AND A GARTER ON ONE LEG. SHE ACCESSORIZED WITH A D.I.A. BELT WITH CHAINS, AND WEDGES FROM LIP SERVICE. SHE TOLD US THAT SHE LIKES SHOPPING FROM D.I.A. AND MA*RS, AND THAT SHE LISTENS TO HIP HOP, WESTERN MUSIC AND R&B.

RUMANJYU

RUMANJYU IS A 21-YEAR OLD MODEL THAT KEEPS HER BLOG UP TO DATE. SHE IS WEARING A PLAID BLAZER AND SKIRT FROM SEXY DYNAMITE OVER A TANK TOP FROM GLAD NEWS. SHE PAIRED THEM WITH L ACE AND DEVIL HORNS TIGHTS, A CROSS NECKL ACE, STRAWBERRY EYEBALL EARRINGS, COLORED CONTACTS AND A BAND RING. RUMANJYU’S ACCESSORIES ARE FROM GLAVIL, AND HER ANKLE BOOTS ARE FROM GLAD NEWS. RUMANJYU’S FAVORITE SHOP IS SEXY DYNAMITE, AND SHE LIKES LISTENING TO D., ABC, L’ARC-EN-CIEL AND MEJIBRAY.

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modern geisha Photography by TOKYO FASHION Beauty, hair and styling by MINORI

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INTERVIEW WITH MINORI

“I really like nature, and I think that the motif of my work is inspired by flowers and the veins of leaves.

That’s how the colours come to being within me.”

R: What got you into Shironuri?

M: A friend of mine was doing cosplay and shironuri and I got started after she asked me to try it out.

R: How long has it been since you first started Shironuri?

M: About five years.

R: I think that to make your creations you have a world inside you. How should we imagine that world?

M: In case of myself I was born in a rural area. Since I was born I was surrounded with a lot of nature. I really like nature, and I think that the motif of my work is inspired by flowers and the veins of leaves. That’s how the colours come to being within me.

R: You actually often use real leaves right? Like cherry blossom?

M: Yes I do.

R: You create a lot of works of art. Please tell me about your process to create these works.

M: I make all my costumes myself, including dyeing the clothes, design of the clothes and my hairstyle. I just ask someone else to do photography R: How do you know which setting to do your photoshoot?

M: I search up the internet then I visit the places.

R: How long does it take to find a location?

M: Gosh how much... It’s usually takes a day of visiting several locations. If I find a place I decide immediately and say “This is it!” and then I go home.

R: What kind of meaning does Shironuri represent you? Is it fashion? A representation of yourself? Or is it an alternate world you want to enter?

M: There is shironuri as fashion and shironuri as art. I see those two as separate, when I use shironuri as fashion it is close and fun and I enjoy myself. When I create a work of art, shironuri is part of the whole.

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DESIGNER

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Her motif is usually filled with leaves, branches, and petals. Minori never uses artificial plants for her photoshoots.

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SHINORI ARTIST

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Minori that uses nature as her main theme for her art. Minori’s hair and costume were all designed by her.

Source: http://tokyofashion.com

NOVEMBER 2013 | RYUKO.COM

ARTIST STUDIO:

Shironuri ar tist Minori star ted with shironuri about five years ago af ter being introduced to the ar t by a friend. Shironuri, white make -up, was centuries long an accepted par t of Japanese culture, widely used by actors and geisha. Here’s a sneak peek of what Minori’s studio looks like, and as you can see creativity is flowing every where.

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ARTIST Her studio is filled with artistic elements like paint, canvases and brushes. One of her hobbies is painting landscape and beautiful things.

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F ROM GOT H TO L OL I TA :

Minori applies this traditional Japanese aesthetic in a totally modern and very unique way. She finds her inspiration in nature and expresses that in her clothes, make -up and photography. She plays with different colours from dark to light, from pastel to saturated colours, but still keeps the same theme of nature.

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BEAUT Y Minori doesn’t just have dark themes.

Sometimes she loves to use pastel colours to show a different angelic look to her designs.

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Crazy Dreamer F RO M A D R E A M E R TO A N

I N T E R N E T FA M O U S FAS H I O N D ES I G N E R w w w. t h e . ra i n b o w h o l i c . m e w w w. k a i l a o c a m p o . c o m

interview with MINORI

M: I MAKE ALL MY COSTUMES MYSELF, INCLUDING DYEING THE CLOTHES, DESIGN OF THE CLOTHES AND MY HAIRSTYLE. I JUST ASK SOMEONE ELSE TO DO PHOTOGRAPHY

R: WHAT GOT YOU INTO SHIRONURI? M: A FRIEND OF MINE WAS DOING COSPLAY AND SHIRONURI AND I GOT STARTED AFTER SHE ASKED ME TO TRY IT OUT.

R: HOW DO YOU KNOW WHICH SETTING TO DO YOUR PHOTOSHOOT? M: I SEARCH UP THE INTERNET THEN I VISIT THE PLACES.

R: HOW LONG HAS IT BEEN SINCE YOU FIRST STARTED SHIRONURI? M: ABOUT FIVE YEARS. R: I THINK THAT TO MAKE YOUR CREATIONS YOU HAVE A WORLD INSIDE YOU. HOW SHOULD WE IMAGINE THAT WORLD? M: IN CASE OF MYSELF I WAS BORN IN A RURAL AREA. SINCE I WAS BORN I WAS SURROUNDED WITH A LOT OF NATURE. I REALLY LIKE NATURE, AND I THINK THAT THE MOTIF OF MY WORK IS INSPIRED BY FLOWERS AND THE VEINS OF LEAVES. THAT’S HOW THE COLOURS COME TO BEING WITHIN ME. R: YOU ACTUALLY OFTEN USE REAL LEAVES RIGHT? LIKE CHERRY BLOSSOM? M: YES I DO. R: YOU CREATE A LOT OF WORKS OF ART. PLEASE TELL ME ABOUT YOUR PROCESS TO CREATE THESE WORKS.

R: HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO FIND A LOCATION? M: GOSH HOW MUCH... IT’S USUALLY TAKES A DAY OF VISITING SEVERAL LOCATIONS. IF I FIND A PLACE I DECIDE IMMEDIATELY AND SAY “THIS IS IT!” AND THEN I GO HOME. R: WHAT KIND OF MEANING DOES SHIRONURI REPRESENT YOU? IS IT FASHION? A REPRESENTATION OF YOURSELF? OR IS IT AN ALTERNATE WORLD YOU WANT TO ENTER? M: THERE IS SHIRONURI AS FASHION AND SHIRONURI AS ART. I SEE THOSE TWO AS SEPARATE, WHEN I USE SHIRONURI AS FASHION IT IS CLOSE AND FUN AND I ENJOY MYSELF. WHEN I CREATE A WORK OF ART, SHIRONURI IS PART OF THE WHOLE.

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“Someday, I will go to Japan�, a little girl said.

Years later, it still feels like a dream.

It all started with a childhood dream a decade ago An average girl from the Philippines.

A crazy dream to see the cherry blossoms of Japan.

And an extraordinary kind of determination.

All she wanted was to see Japan with her own eyes, exactly like how her older brother Eric would describe to her through emails and long-distance calls.

For some reason, the universe decided to conspire with her to make it all come true. Even though it was hard and a lot of heartbreaking decisions and events came along the way, she never gave up on her dream.

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Kaila Ocampo

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A JAPANESE FASHION BLOGGER WHO MOVED TO TOK YO IN ORDER TO FOLLOW HER DREAMS. “I REALLY LOVE THIS SHOT, AND MY CURTAINS ARE <3” - RAINBOWHOLIC SOURCE: WWW. THE.RAINBOWHOLIC.ME

NOVEMBER 2013 | RYUKO.COM

For this crazy passionate girl, “Dreams are not meant to stay as dreams forever. Dreams are meant to be realized. No matter how crazy these dreams may be.”

I

magining myself dressed up in lacy lolita or colorful dresses.. strolling down the streets of Harajuku.. and of course, with a camera lugged around my neck. My older brother who shares the same passion as I have, had already established himself in the land of my dreams. Compared to what I have gone through before coming here, he had done so much more. If this note is a two-pager when printed, without any doubt.. his would be a five-pager. Or even more. I think people should know his story.

My two-pager started when I have decided to quit dreaming alone and to start working on it. Who reaches his/her dreams by waiting and just dreaming? If you are filthy rich, that would be easy. You can just buy an airplane ticket, secure your visa without worries, beg for some pocket money from your parents.. and after that, you can enjoy the cherry blossoms and sushi restaurants in Japan as easy as that! But for someone like me who has a big family that has an average (and sometimes insufficient) household income, the word “easy” is not even part of the dictionary. The plane ticket, the hellish visa requirements (++ sleepless nights that you get after passing your application), the first-world kind of standard of living… it’s

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like Japan was a dream country to me. Too different from my kind of reality before. But as they always say, not all things come easy and instant (this is a comforting fact, haha). Then… with a bit of financial aid from my brother, I enrolled myself with basic Japanese language course that I juggled every Saturday’s of my sophomore/junior year of my university life. For an advertising management student, that was some tough stuff to do. Though I must admit this fact, I was not exactly the best in our little Japanese language class (third to the worst student? hahaha).

Nonetheless, knowing my basic Hiragana and Katakana plus plus bits of kanji was all good. I even tried out the JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) N4 that time! I did not pass but the experience was worth it. At least, I got to try it!

After my JLPT N4 test, with the best of our (me and my family) efforts, I applied for a “visiting a relative” visa to Japan. Only God knows how much I’ve done to get all those required information. And what I got in return? A blank passport without a Japanese visa. My heart was broken into multiple pieces! At least my first heart break was not because of a boy..! Huhu why Japan Embassy… and the saddest part about it was, I cannot apply again within 6 months. Ouch.

The trouble that came after this was I had already signed up for my leave of absence (LOA) from my university. I was going to have a 1 term break + summer vacation (which totaled 6 months!) without attending school. Up to this time, I consider this part of my life as one of my bravest acts! I was the type of student that would still attend class even if there was a typhoon just for the class attendance. I guess that this was one of the most confusing parts in my life. So for that period of time, I engrossed myself with Japan hallucinations (what) and helped my brother & father with whatever skills I have attained (webpage design, SEO). Thankfully, our online projects have

“If you believe, you’re already halfway there.”

- anonymous

gained fruits and money for the family during my 6-month break from school. There were days that I cried like a baby in my room because I really wanted to go to Japan and visit my brother. But then again, God decided to teach me how to be patient. I may be bitter about it at that time but right now, I am just more than thankful for that.. rite of passage-like period. It was a humbling experience.

THEN.. Fast forward, my brother then suggested to me to apply for the annual government scholarship that the Japan Embassy / Government would be sponsoring. I did my best with the requirements but.. I failed the test. It was so discouraging! Good thing I had a busy university life that I got over my depression about it. After that, I had no choice but to focus on my university first so that I would graduate on time with my batchmates and friends. In which I did! So blessed.

I can still remember that long phone call from my rented apartment room during my last two terms of college. My brother asked me seriously if I really wanted to go to Japan. I said yes and after that, he spent almost all his days working hard for my expensive language school tuition fee. My Japan dream would have been still a dream (a “cloud” in my mind) if it weren’t for my brother Eric. I owe all of my “dream-come-true” Japanrelated dreams to him. And so right after my last completion of requirements (a.k.a. OJT and thesis).. I was bound to study Nihongo. in Japan. I can still remember the day when I got my passport with the Japanese visa, I cried so much! My number 1 dream from my Novena prayer book (God was a big part of all of these, He has all the credit) was crossed out on that day. It was such a happy day! I may have missed the cherry blossom season upon my arrival but sakura can definitely wait!

CUTE MUSHROOMS AND SUPERMARIO KAILA OCAMPO, ALSO KNOWN AS RAINBOWHOLIC, DID A PHOTOSHOOT WITH HER BROTHER INSIDE HER MINI STUDIO, WHICH CAN ALSO BE FOUND HERE: WWW.THE. RAINBOWHOLIC.ME/KAWAII/RAINBOWHOLIC-ROOM-AND-CREATIVE-SPACE

continued on page 28

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continued from page 27 Months later, I received a response from Tokyo Fashion (like an acceptance letter but funnier, haha) that they would want me to join their team. The next thing that flashed in my life was--- I was having yakiniku dinner with them during our first meet! In addition to that, I now maintain a blog about my (mis)adventures here in Tokyo, produce videos for Tokyo Fashion, help out my brother with work and of course, can finally understand a few Doraemon episodes. I spend my Sundays in Harajuku while dressed in my best attire without a f.cking care in the world just like how the Japanese are “cool” with whatever crap you wear.

Sometimes, everything is just too good to be true. Surreal would be the best adjective.

I apologize for the rather long narration. I just get this “story” request a lot and I thought that writing paragraphs about “how it all started” would inspire dreamers like me out there! And at last, I don’t have to repeat my story for the nth time because I will be copy-pasting this link now! Yay! Hehehe..

As of now, I have my own little online shop where my love for rainbows and bows are actualized. I contribute and produce videos for TokyoFashion.com and my videos are all compiled here. I am fascinated with Blythe doll fashion. I adore all things (kawaii)! I love going to different places for experience, seizing memories with my camera, collecting cute toys and Pocky boxes, dressing up for self-expression, and playing with html codes like a nerd. I love getting myself busy with things that I am passionate about. If you want to know how I got here in Japan, this will be the perfect narration.

Other than that, please enjoy my colorful photospammed blog entries as I give you a fish-eye glimpse of my dream world, Japan! Checkout www.the.rainbowholic.me or www. kailaocampo.com BLOG WRITTEN BY KAILA OCAMPO also widely known as “rainbowholic”

DESIGNER AND SEAMSTRESS THE OUTFIT THAT KAILA IS WEARING WAS DESIGNED AND SEWN BY HER. HER LOLIOVERALL THEMED DRESS SHOWS RAINBOW COLOURS AND SUPER MARIO THEMED DETAILS. SHE MADE THE MATCHING MUSRHOOM BAG, SOCKS AND SOME OF HER ACCESSORIES AS WELL!

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& CULTURE

arts

fashion. art. culture JAPANESE STREETS: POP UP STUDIO

J

apanese Streets has set up a Pop Up Studio in Harajuku this week at the Design Festival Gallery. We have invited some 30 Harajuku street fashion icons to show us their 2013 summer looks.

Inspired by the stunningly creative street fashion that exploded on the streets of Tokyo and Osaka in the late 1990’s, photo-journalist Kjeld Duits launched JAPANESE STREETS in 2002. This makes JS one of the first fashion blogs on the net, and the very first to cover Japanese street fashion.

To give the people I usually shoot some depth beyond the usual street snaps, we have asked

VINTAGE THEME

THE BACKGDOP USED DURING OUR PHOTOSHOOT AT THE POP UP STUDIO IS A VINTAGE HAND PAINTED FLAG WHICH SCALE UP TO 10 FEET TALL AND 6 FEET WIDE.

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them to take three things, or more if they want to. Things that are dear to them, that inspire them, or that are really important to them. We also have requested them to use the themes summer or matsuri (religious festivals) in their look. Most people ignore the matsuri theme, but a few have taken the challenge and have come up with an interesting look.

If you are in Tokyo, feel free to come and say hello. We shoot from 11:00 am through 8:00 pm and you’re free to visit and watch! Through Saturday June 29, you can find us on the second floor of the West Building.

There are quite a few fashion designers showing at Design Festa Gallery this week, so make sure to give yourself enough time to roam around.

SHIOK A & KUREBAYASHI

THESE MODELS, SHIOK A (ONE IN RED), KUREBAYASHI (GIRL WITH THE GUITAR) ARE BOTH MODELS FROM HARAJUKU, WHICH HAVE BEEN FEATURED

BY OTHER AGENCIES AND LOCAL MAGAZINES

ARAN YOSHIOK A & TOMOYA

AR AN AND YOSHIKOA ARE HAR AJUKU LOCALS THAT CAME UP TO OUR PHOTOSHOOT TO SUPPORT THE JAPANESE STREET’S POP STUDIO.

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& CULTURE

arts

CHARACTERS

(FROM TOP LEFT CLOCKWISE) AISAKA TAIGA FROM TORADORA MIZUNO AMI FROM SAILOTR MOON HOSHINO RURI FROM MARTIAN SUCCESSOR NADESICO KINOMOTO SAKURA FROM CARDCAPTOR SAKURA HINO REI FROM SAILOR MOON CHI FROM CHOBITS HINO REI FROM SAILOR MOON SAOTOME RANMA FROM RANMA

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fashion. art. culture ANIME IN REAL LIFE

J

ust like how any anime fan fantasizes about characters in particular settings, Ryuko asked “what if anime characters existed in real life?” and that’s how his creative work started. There are many different techniques to bring anime characters to life, but this style captures familiar characters in a hip, urban environment by going out to the streets of Shibuya and Harajuku. The result produces a more realistic view than expected.

Check out the examples below.

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WANT MORE? fashion. art. culture daily on

R Y U KO.C O M

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perfect book coming out soon! www.6dokidoki.shop-pro.jp

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