By the Bel: Harajuku 101
Bel Says
Harajuku isn’t just a place—it’s an attitude. The 4 most famous Harajuku girls are Love, Angel, Music, and Baby, the entourage of Gwen Stefani during The Sweet Escape Tour of 2007. Google Gwen, you can‘t miss them.
Harajuku is really a mishmash of quite a few fashion styles, but, generally, it’s most celebrated by teens and youngs adults on Sundays on the bridge across the train tracks from Harajuku station to Yoyogi Park, Japan.
Gothic Lolita ~ Looking like either modern day aristocratic Elizabethan debutants or over-the-top French maids.
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Visual Kei ~ The Glam Rock look – think 80’s goth rock, punk or heavy metal.
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Ganguro & Kogal ~ Get hip with the orange fake tan… orange, gray, or platinum hair… light lipstick, and white eye shadow (like a panda)… slap on a set of fake lashes, bright clothes, and bling… and she’s all ready to go. The most famous Ganguro Girl is called Buriteri, named after a brand of soy sauce. Think Spice Girls with a tan.
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Decora & Kawaii ~ Meaning ‘cute’. The clothes are meant to emphasize the cuteness of the person wearing them, or make them look quite childlike. Accessories include back packs with animation characters on them and oversized stuffed toys.
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People even choose to express themselves dressed as Cosplay of anime or manga characters .
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It looks to me that there are only a few standard rules when it comes to Harajuku:
- Stand out
- More is more
- Weird and cute is good
- Guys may look like girls if they so please (and vice versa)
- Being ignored is NOT an option
- If all else fails, pick something with COLOUR!!!
Gwen Stefani – What You Waiting For? (Featuring Love, Angel, Music, & Baby)
