June 20 Tokyo Fashion Express

Kinda late...but here it is:

Catwalk Trends

A/W 2011-2012: 60's Style "Color" 3 collections

-Alverta Ferretti: Showed 60s vibrant color

-Blumarine: "All about Chic"

                  "Crayon box color"

-Bottega Veneta: 

Nippon Style

Yusaku Maezawa: Runs ZOZO Town:

-most popular online shopping site for Japan

It started with a "Town concept" as if people were shopping in stores in their hometown.

But, they have revamped their site to being "about the people" instead, which includes customer reviews of products on the top page.  Maezawa wants to create a "Big Family" with his site & even encourages office romance...there's even a "matchmaker" of sorts in the company ^^  This year the site is going global & will have English & Chinese translations...as well as others ;) 

Tokyo Buzz 

"All about Sneakers"

First, Angela went to a shoe store that had "toning shoes" that were labeled

"Walking on Air"...ex: Sketchers shape-ups (which she tried on)

Then, she went to a store that will find sneakers that will fit you perfectly.  They have  a shoe size measuring machine that you put your foot in & it measures various places on your food...all by sensors & digital means ;)

Then, the salesperson finds you a pair that will fit & match you perfectly.

The last store had 5-toed sneakers O_O

Apparently, Angela said they're very comfortable...but i'm not sure how I feel about this one XP

And finally, Hot Picks

Something that can only be seen in Japan...they had a Kimono show @ Kamakura Shrine

called: "Japanese Spirit-Japanese Bonding" Earthquake Charity show.  There were sooo many beautiful Kimonos in all different styles & colors, but a fave I spooted was this one lady that had an Obi w/ a clock design on it XD  Japanese Steampunk, perhaps ^_^

And...here's a random pic just for fun...since i mentioned "Steampunk":

"Macabre" Dolly Kei on Father's Day XP

My day started out pretty dark & full of death...as I had to KILL many irritating black ants that were attacking my hair accessories >_<  So, I decided to dress accordingly ;)  Haha, but nah, I had planned on doing a "Gothic Dolly-Kei" outfit anyways XD 

Top: Charlotte Russe
Dress: Ross'
Skirt: Wet Seal...maybe?
Tights: Icing
Shoes: Sears
Basket purse: Garage sale ^^

& a close-up of my accessories

From Claire's, Forever21, jewelry kiosks or given to me ;)

Also, since it was Father's Day, my Dad came over, so we had a simple dinner :)

 Sub Sandwiches, Kamaboko "poke", Cheetos & "bacon soup" ^^

Shopping craziness ^^

Did some major shopping Yesterday w/ a friend & then a little bit today ^_^

 Started @ Ala Moana:

Went to Hot Topic, Gilly Hicks(AWESOME STORE), Forever21(actually bought stuff ;P ), Gap

Then, off to Ward: Eden in Love, Cottage by the Sea, Local Fever, & Red Pineapple ^^

Today(thurs): Went to Charlotte Russe, Forever21(again) & Claire's

Here's the goods:

The great finds of the day were the PERFECT brown oxford shoes i've been looking for since getting into dolly-kei ;P  Then, I found the awesome brown cardi too ^^  The Yellow dress & white skirt(on the left side) were from Gilly Hicks, which is located in Ala Moana where Ruehl(sp?) used to be XD  Their clearance stuff were super cute...& they had an awesome sale on Bras & panties ;)  The flower top & black dress were from F21...& the top was a little snug, so that's why i went to the Pearlridge store today ;D  But, the next size up was too big, so i'm just gonna keep the one i have ;P  hehe, but i picked up the green vest-top thing & brown top as well ^_^  The jewelry was from Hot Topic, Charlotte Russe & Claire's...as if i need more XP

I actually did have a list of items i was looking for & I did manage to find some of them, but then i ended up getting other items as well ;)  

& no pic of my outfit, but...here's what my friend & I ate @ Macaroni Grill...It was YUMMY ^^

June 13 Tokyo Fashion Express ^^

Catwalk Trends: Showed the A/W 2011- 2012 collections in Milan.  The theme was Masculine-Femininity ^^

3 Brands = Dolce & Gabana, Gucci & Moschino (they had Military elements too )  Another theme throughout was Feminine & Dandy XD

I really LOVED this portion b/c I've always been a fan of the Dandy or boyish look, but I didn't think it matched me...but, I could totally get into this feminine + masculine idea :)

Nippon Style: Featured Junko Masachika, who is a Personal stylist.  Not only for celebrities, but her services are for the every day person ^_^  Services include Stylist guided shopping, where the stylist picks the store & takes the client there, assisting them w/ their shopping.  Another service is a Wardrobe check, where the stylist picks out clothes that don't work anymore & that the client should get rid of.  Junko has about 6 stylists working w/ her & they show the clients what works & explain in depth why...they also want to expand a client's fashion styles, urging them to try a style they wouldn't normally try.

After the stylist picks out clothes for a first time client, they take a photograph of the client & hers/his new wardrobe in order to create a profile.  The client can then become a long-term client that the stylist 

checks in on every once in a while.  Junko also established a school teaching up & coming personal stylists & everyone on her team were graduates.  

Overall, this is a really great service if the average person has a hard time coordinating outfits ^_^  But, for me, I tend to do all these things on my own anyways...especially the wardrobe check...that happens almost every month ;P

Tokyo Buzz: Featured Recycle Shops, where items are all second-hand ;D

First place was in Ginza & it was a popular name brand that had 2nd-hand items...all in good condition.

Second place was....CLOSET CHILD ^_^  Hehe, a 2nd-hand store for Gothic/Lolita items (of course) ^^

Third place was in Omotesando called Pass The Baton. They had very unique items...including...a chandelier of tea cups O_O heh, but ALL the items also have a label on it w/ a "story" about the item written by the previous owner.  Each item was someone else's treasure, so the idea is to "Pass on" the items ;)

I can't believe they showed closet child!!!  I was totally freaking out XD  Man, I really wanna go there one day...i'd probably spend so much money...sigh... too bad the hostess...didn't really "match" being in there...she pulled out a petti of all things...but then redeemed herself when she picked up a cute present box hat ^^  They also showed the upstairs Gothic/Punk items ;)  But, that Pass the Baton store was pretty cool too XD

Hot Picks: Featured the Premium Textile Japan 2012 Spring/Summer collection

I actually wouldn't mind going to a textile exhibit one day...they have all the samples out & you can feel all the fabrics ^_^

I decided that I'll comment on each section as if I was watching the show for the first time ^^  
& now...my fashion of the day ;)  It's really simple, but super comfortable & i'm wearing a top that has "Dolman sleeves" which is a big trend in Japan right now ;D Also, I just got the boots :)

Top & belt: Forever21
Skirt: Handmade (by me)
Necklace: Gift from friend
Bracelet: Icing
Pocket watch necklace: Creations by You(a craft store XD )
Boots: Wholesale site
Bear bag: Genius Outfitters

First Post ^^

Hello & Welcome to my blog ^_^  I'm really into fashion right now, particularly, Japanese fashion :)

So, this blog shall be dedicated to the various fashions I like including what is popular in Japan now XD

 Plus, I'll also post pics of some of my outfits...whenever I feel like dressing up ;D

On Mondays @ 1:30pm (Hawaii Time)

There is an AWESOME show on tv @ this time called Tokyo Fashion Express that I watch EVERY WEEK & Tape ^_^  So, I will also be doing a brief summary of what the show went over as well...mainly for my friends who aren't able to watch it.  The hostess is IA, who also wears very fashionable clothes :D

There are usually 4 parts: Catwalk Trends

                                       Nippon style

                                       Tokyo Buzz

                                       Hot Picks 

Catwalk trends: Mixing Akiba culture w/ fashion, so along with the main collection, the designers incorporated characters: Super Heroes(Okinawan) & Anime~ish chars.

                                      

Nippon Style: Today's show focused on one designer called MUG & she designs the clothes for the brand G.V.G.V

This designer likes to make women's fashions that have elements of masculinity in them :) But, today's episode was of her working on her A/W (autumn/winter) 2011 collection, which was an English school girl look.  The brand was going to have a fashion show, but after the earthquake/tsunami, it was cancelled & instead, they decided to have a photoshoot of the collection :D  The idea was of a somewhat rebelious school girl that went traveling, but has to go back to her boarding school...& the collection was called "Youth Cult".  

Some looks are featured here:

http://tokyotelephone.com/gvgv-autumn-winter-2011/

The episode covered the designer's philosophies about designing as well as when she "shops" for items to carry in the store.  It also showed her working on styling the outfits before the shoot.

Tokyo Buzz: Retro-70s fashion is popular now & the focus today was on a yuru-yuru look.  This is basically having a loose fitting top paired with a loose-fitting bottom. The "hostess", Mayuko(i think) went to 2 popular stores to check out the trend.  The first had pairings of loose pants & loose tops: bell bottom jeans/pants & pesanty/lacy tops...w/ a wide brim hat (think Hippie)  They also showed another styling called Retro bohemian, which incorporates cute prints w/ native american accents: (ex: leather indian purse)  The 2nd store showed more girly styles of the yuru-yuru look.  Long. loose skirts w/ white, collared, short sleeved tops w/ embroidery on it (think prairie wife).  

Hot Picks: Showcased an art gallery called After 311, where artists were told to submit works showing the change in Japan's thinking after the earthquake/tsunami.

And now...My outfit for today ^^

Cardigan: Garage sale ^^

Dress, shoes: Forever 21

Socks: Icing

Necklace: Charlotte Russe

Purse: Macys