What is Harajuku fashion and how I experienced it.
I admire the patience, craftsmanship, and creativity of this group in creating their own clothes, styles, and accessories.
Photo by me
Models: Harajuku Kids Colombia
Event: Maloka March 2016
When I lived in Bogotá, while I was studying photography during the week and working on making Kigurumis, on weekends, I went to practice photography with the Harajuku Kids as my models, this group of friends shared the same passion for Japanese fashion culture.
Harajuku fashion originates from the Harajuku area, located between Shinjuku and the heart of Tokyo, where famous clubs, themed cafes, galleries, and art studios are concentrated. In this place, young people and artists gather to share, especially on Takeshita Street. You can find all the original brand stores created by young Japanese designers. Being so close to the main avenue of Omotesando, the Laforet Harajuku shopping center, and the Omotesando Hills shopping complex (where all the big brands have a store) allows young people to mix and match these brands, creating something unique, much like the place itself, in a youthful and vibrant atmosphere.
Photo by me
Lolitas: Ann Bacon and 石田光
Event: Maloka March 2016
Anyone who wants to have fun with fashion, creating something unique without the pressure of fitting into some type of trend can be part of Harajuku fashion. There are many fashion styles and cultures within it. For example, I like the Lolita rock style and the Visual Kei (which is one of the reasons why I started listening to J-rock, and I love artists like Miyavi or Hyde).
Photo by me
Lolita: Maria Paula Avila
Event: Maloka July 2016
Lolitas: Gothic style. The origin of this fashion comes from the clothing worn by the guitarist of Malice Mizer, who went on stage wearing women's clothing. Long hair is important, with various accessories, also inspired by Victorian and Baroque elements. There is also sweet Lolita, which uses pastel colors but with the same style.
Visual Kei: As I mentioned, music has a great influence here. It is a trend among Japanese musicians, characterized by excessive makeup, voluminous hairstyles with hair in different layers, with the idea of obtaining an androgynous look.
Photo by me
Models: Harajuku Kids Colombia
Event: Maloka July 2016
Kawaii: They wear clothes that seem to be created for children, with bright colors mixed with pastel colors, baggy clothes, and they use toys as accessories.
Decora: They use a variety of accessories in all colors around their entire body, including toys, plastic accessories, clips, stickers, bells, etc.
Gyaru: This style is the easiest to achieve because it characterizes typical American teenagers with blonde hair, tanned skin, strong eyeliner, false eyelashes, subtle but bright makeup, and painted nails.
Ganguru: Takes Gyaru to another level with very brightly colored clothes, platforms, exaggerated tans, orange hair, and silver or gold nails.
Yamanba: A total exaggeration of Gyaru to the point of looking like a clown. The name derives from a demonic spirit in Japanese mythology.
Photo by me
Model: Joseph Fiuk
Event: Maloka March 2016
Punks: Derived from the punk movement of the 70s in London.
Cosplay: Derives from the words "costume play," which means dressing as a fictional character from a movie, game, or manga comic, not just wearing the costume. (includes Kigurumi)
Yami Kawaii: This group is inspired by mental illnesses, especially depression. They adore Menhera-Chan, who is a manga character, a heroine, but she suffers from depression. They wear black with small elements of pastel colors, especially pink, and accessories such as syringes, plasters, skulls. They apply very pale makeup with red eyeliners to look sick.
Photo by me
Models: Harajuku Kids Colombia
Harajuku Catwalk 2016
In Bogotá, I had the opportunity to walk with the Harajuku Kids group around the city, enjoy different events and catwalks, and I really liked taking photos of them. I have only participated once with them, during the 2016 Harajuku catwalk, but I really liked the experience. I admire the patience, craftsmanship, and creativity of this group in creating their own clothes, styles, and accessories.
