Harajuku, the earliest birthplace of Tokyo street fashion, was originally a common place name for an area in Shibuya District, Tokyo. Now it has evolved from a simple place name concept into a kind of street culture for young people. ——Harajuku culture.
Japan’s street culture was influenced by American culture, and then slowly evolved into a culture with Japan’s own characteristics. This is the starting point of Harajuku culture.
“The existence of a real space is necessary for street fashion, and neighborhood culture played an important role in the formation of Harajuku fashion”
For that period, walking in Harajuku Pedestrians in the area are the main subjects of fashion trends. The emergence of Harajuku wind is largely related to traffic congestion in local neighborhoods. In the era of traffic congestion, more and more people choose to travel on foot. Pedestrians stroll in crowded neighborhoods and enjoy the mixed visual impact, which to some extent also promotes the emergence of Harajuku street style.
Speaking of Harajuku, Ura Harajuku is indispensable.
Some people may equate Harajuku and Ura-Harajuku, but this is not the case.
Ura Harajuku is the general name for a number of clothing stores in the area from Jingu-mae in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, to Sendagaya in the same district.
Due to the narrow road, it is not easy for passers-by to notice this place. It is different from the clothing store area in Harajuku in general perception, so it is called "in" Harajuku.
In the legendary place of Harajuku, brands such as UNDERCOVER (called the representative of Harahara style in the 1990s, deeply influenced by American fashion brand style), A BATHING APE (BAPE for short, is the birthplace of There are many internationally renowned Japanese clothing brands such as NEIGHBORHOOD (a famous brand of Japanese street fashion culture originated in 1992, formerly known as Neighborhood NYC).
The concept of "Ura Harajuku" did not appear before. It was just a side street and narrow alley in Harajuku. And the reason for the rise of Harajuku is naturally inseparable from the promotion of Harajuku's development.
After World War II, the U.S. military stationed in Japan, and then a large amount of American culture poured in. Among them, the most popular one among young people was Rockabilly (a mountain country rock music originated in the eastern United States); in the 1960s, In Japan in the 1990s, airplane heads, Suga jackets and jeans became the most popular outfits of that period.
Among them, Mr. Yamazaki Shinyuki (the founder of Harajuku fashion culture) was deeply attracted by this trend.
Because of the influence of Rockablilly friends, Yamazaki opened a King Kong bar in Harajuku, which laid the foundation for him to develop more ties with Harajuku.
In addition, because he got to know mixed-race model Vivienne Lynn, there were naturally more opportunities to participate in and understand international culture. Using clothes and clothing bought at foreign flea markets, he opened another store called Cream Soda in Harajuku. The clothing store (still standing in the Harajuku flagship store called Pink Dragon) was deeply loved and sought after by Japanese youth at that time.
Due to the popularity of Cream Soda and the "walking paradise" mentioned above, the streets of Harajuku have gathered more and more young people who play fashion + music, making Harajuku change from a secluded area where residents mainly live. It gradually developed into a lively and trendy place.
How was Harajuku developed?
In the early 1990s, after Japan experienced the bursting of its economic bubble, young people began to question the values ??of traditional large companies. Some young people with ideals and lingering in the Harajuku area began to look for shops to open small stores or Creation room.
At this time, Mr. Yoshida, a "rich" businessman, acquired most of the residential areas in Harajuku, turned them into stores, and rented them to these young creatives for business.
Therefore, the well-known figures such as Hiroshi Fujiwara, Nigo, and Jun Takahashi are also trend representatives who came out of here. Based on more convenient communication channels, this trend culture that emerged in the 1990s has also It quickly led to the golden decade of Ura Harajuku.
Harajuku style emphasizes the mix and match of colors
Most of Harajuku’s popular elements come from the costumes worn by teenagers when they formed bands at that time.
Although single-piece clothing with exaggerated colors and weird shapes is rejected by the elders in the family, it has a place in Harajuku. In the eyes of young people, it reflects a new aesthetic culture and unique craftsmanship. .
This is why Harajuku’s clothing fashion is more colorful and exaggerated than Shibuya’s.
Harajuku style focuses on the mix and match of different styles, making it unique and eye-catching. Most of them are colorful, and they may be matched with several items that look completely different in style, as well as large and complicated accessories.
The suit jacket originally represented a gentleman. But under the influence of Harajuku style, the jacket of the suit is added with a functional leather vest, a chain pendant and "gangster" sunglasses, or is lined with an oversized gangster pattern, completely breaking the look of the suit. Original style.
Oversized Harajuku-style outfits are also widely displayed in the street photos of Tokyo Fashion Week. Loose and sloppy items that can be worn casually will undoubtedly highlight your personality.
The ill-fitting shirt is already very unruly, but the addition of a tie that represents "etiquette" makes the impact of the look even stronger. The mixed style is indeed the highlight of Harajuku style.
In addition, bags such as waist bags, small satchels, and handbags are also essential items for Harajuku style. In addition to carrying it diagonally, you can even hang the bag directly around your neck. Only Harajuku style can do this without commuting.
Hats and exaggerated hair colors also have to be mentioned.
Colorful colors are not only reflected in the matching of clothes, but also the color of hair has naturally become one of the handicrafts of Harajuku's young people. Of course, hair dyeing is not a necessary element of Harajuku style. Hats can also be used instead of hair color to "make up" the style.
I believe platform shoes are familiar to people who play cosplay. Although they are common among girls’ items, in Harajuku style, they are not gender-specific.
The fusion of rock rebellion and fashion elements is the charm of Harajuku style.
It can be seen that in the traditional Harajuku style, the color matching is very bold, and the concept of contrasting colors is completely insufficient to express this matching method.
In this combination, what is more common is the pursuit of artistic exaggeration and the original Harajuku traditional concept that commemorates and inherits it: the pursuit of individual innovation and breaking the stereotypes of parents and grandparents.
Some people would say that Harajuku style is like "non-mainstream", but in comparison, "non-mainstream" gives people more of a decadent and abject image; but TGG, I think, Harajuku style It is a cultural expression that evolves from the use of artistic colors and cultural trends and demonstrates one's own individual thoughts.
This article was first published on the public account: TOPMEN Men's Wear Network (ID: topmencomcn), Sina Weibo: @TOPMEN Men's Wear Network