Harajuku girls are teenage girls and young women known for their outrageous fashion in the shopping area around Harajuku train station in Tokyo. They became a symbol of individualism in Japan and have influenced fashion worldwide. The style involves mixing genres, with popular looks including Gothic Lolita, Kawaii, Decorate, and Cosplay.
The term “Harajuku girls” refers to the teenage girls and young women who populate the shopping area around the Harajuku train station in Tokyo, who are known for their outrageous fashion. Extremely popular throughout the 1990s and into the 21st century, Harajuku girls became a symbol of the individualistic new generations in Japan, determined to break old stereotypes that portrayed the Japanese as bland and uniform. The Western world became much more aware of Harajuku girls after the popularization of the culture through the music and cosmetic lines of pop singer Gwen Stefani.
Dressing like a Harajuku girl doesn’t fit any style; in fact, it’s the surprising variety and elaborate nature of the clothing that makes this particular fashion district stand out. There are various genres of clothing that many Harajuku girls are attracted to, although it is often recommended to mix genres to create new styles.
Gothic Lolita is a popular look around Harajuku station, drawing inspiration from Victorian-era clothing and Nabakov’s infamous depiction of dangerous innocence, Lolita. This style involves combining short dresses with ruffles, veils and parasols with knee-highs and high heels or platforms. Some insist that the eroticism of youth is not the goal of the style, despite the name, but rather that it is more about creating representations of traditional dolls.
Kawaii and decorate are two trends favored by Harajuku girls that are often related. Kawaii means “cute” in Japanese, and the style generally reflects an attempt to appear childish. Decora can include kawaii elements, but should include the use of colorful plastic accessories that snap together like jewels. Pastels, rainbows, and large cuddly companions are often characteristic of this style.
Cosplay Harajuku girls are inspired by the incredibly influential world of Japanese anime, manga, and video games. A girl can dress up as a famous heroine from a movie, comic, or video game, complete with weapons, wigs, and armor. Cosplay is popular in many other parts of the world and is often the subject of large-scale gatherings or conventions where all participants dress up in costume.
Although Harajuku girls’ outfits may seem quite outlandish to some, they are considered a serious fashion influence by many industry insiders. Popularized by portrayals in fashion and music magazines, the concept of Harajuku fashion has spread far beyond the confines of Tokyo. Some suggest that the bold style choices of this unique area are helping to change fashion around the world.
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