Street Snaps
featuring the fashion of Tokyo locals
Last Sunday, a member of Tokyo Fashion Forefront ventured onto the streets of Harajuku to learn about how young individuals view and take inspiration from Japanese fashion. We talked to four individuals, each from various countries, to profile their unique styles.
Anonymous, China
Why did you put that outfit together the way you did?
The shoes are my friends and I thought they looked nice. The bag was just bought yesterday so I really wanted to wear it right away. The jacket and pants are a simple monotone outfit that I think looks casual and at the same time professional.
Can you introduce the brands you are wearing and why you chose to wear them?
The bag is Louis Vuitton, shoes Nike and Wotherspoon collab, and the rest is just from Zara or Bershka. I wear it because I like it and it looks good, no other reason really.
Justin, California, USA
Instagram: @Justinsaul_
What draws you to Japan in terms of fashion?
The culture— like a 7 year old kid or a 70 year old woman or man can dress in a way they can express themselves. I feel like Japan’s culture is fashion, whereas in England it’s soccer, or in America its business.
Is there anything specific about Japanese fashion that stands out?
How free everyone is, and how everything people wears just goes. Their minds are so creative and their eye for fashion is something we don’t have back home.
Does Japanese fashion influence you in anyway?
It does. I make clothing for a living for Target and Walmart, actually. So, I take what I see here in Japan and try to make it for the mass market and be able to sell it to everyone. Definitely small ideas that pop up here that we can bring back to the States.
What are you wearing right now?
*point to shoes* Well, Virgil is probably one of my favorite designers just from who he is as a person. And I just bought these pants from a shop here in Harajuku. And Supreme is just it at the moment (referencing his beanie and bag). Whatever kind of flows, I just wear. Whatever i feel like looking like today.
Zola and Nashimoto, Japan
Instagram: @zolapopppppy @taiki_nashimoto
What can you say about Japan’s fashion scene? How would you describe it in your own words?
Zola: I think everyone’s so keen in fashion, like everyone has their own style. Whereas, in England, some people do but majority don’t. It’s a hard question. Japanese people do follow the trends, they go for the newest “hypebeast”-kind of looks.
How do you think Japanese people are able to stay so ahead of the trends?
Zola: I think like—they really care about their status, and how they’re seen by others.
Nashimoto: Yeah, I would say the same.
How do you think Japan influences other countries with their fashion?
Zola: I always feel like, each country for example, Korea has their own style, and Japanese people would copy their style. I can’t really think of Japanese people copying Japanese fashion, because outsiders are more so copying them. I think the whole point of Japanese fashion is wearing brands, that aren’t Japanese, but by wearing certain brands it becomes Japanese.
What are you wearing right now and where did you get them from?
Zola: Oh quite cheap, Zara, basically. And just one piece that’s a bit expensive. (referencing shoes) Raf Simons sneakers with the Furla bag.
Nashimoto: Golf, Supreme.
Zola: But the Jeans would be H&M, so like a balance because we can’t afford big brands all the time.