Harajuku Fashion

Harajuku Fashion Style
By Marsudi Suwarnaadi

Japan is not only famous for its automotive and electronic that has already spread all over the world market, but it is also famous for its lifestyle which is extreme and seduce the youngsters' desire. This culture is called Harajuku Fashion.

Harajuku refers to the area in the middle of Tokyo, exactly around Harajuku Station, in Sibuya District, Tokyo. In the beginning of 1990s, it is an important area that connects Tokyo to other surrounding districts. 1n 1906, The station was opened as an expansion of Yamanote railway. Several years later there were various kind of department stores around the place that led to the existence of fashion centers. This area became famous all over Japan after having been broadcast through some fashion magazine like Anan and non-no. That time, some girls groups were recognized wandering around Harajuku area. Their fashion imitated the style of fashion models in the Anan and Non-no magazine. Until now, group of youngsters wearing extreme styles can be seen in this area. Harajuku becomes icon of fashion style rebellion in Japan.

In Tokyo, most officers generally wear dark coats, dark trousers, white shirts, dark ties, dark suitcases, their hair was well combed, and they walk fast because they do not want to waste time. Students wear uniform determined by school authority. But in Harajuku, there is a rebellion of fashion. The youngsters refuse to wear neat and tidy clothes. Their desire to be creative is expressed through extreme, glamorous fashion and hair style. Not only extreme hair style they perform, but also extreme hair color like green, purple, red, blue, golden blond, silver, pink, and ash.

The contrast performance between color, design, motif, size, and the kind of clothes is the specialty of this fashion style. Harajuku style is divided into several types. Sometimes the style is adapted to the beautiful doll from Japan with white pale skin and nice dressing like the doll displayed in the window. This style is called Lolita. There is also a style called Cosplay (costume play). This style imitates the character of a hero or bandit in Japanese cartoon movies. Those styles are mostly adopted and promoted by J-Rock (Japanese Rock bands). The asymmetrical hair with loud color is one of their hair style. The asymmetrical hair is the hair that is cut unevenly. For example, one part is long but other part is short. Or the length on the left and right side are different.

In America, the Harajuku fashion style is getting more famous after a singer from America, Gwen Stefani, created a song that carried the theme of Harajuku fashion entitled 'Harajuku Girls'. In promoting her song, Gwen seemed employing some dancers wearing Harajuku fashion in some of his concert all over the world. The fashion style becomes more famous in many countries. And it may spread to your country.