Harajuku Gothic Fashion - Where Does It Come From

Japanese culture traditionally used to put a great emphasis on simplicity.

During the last 30-40 years Tokyo has become a very consumer oriented city.

Japanese Youth culture with it's Harajuku Clothing is a protest against the cultural change in the Japanese society.
These creative Harajuku girls & boys have created their own individual Harajuku fashion.

The Japanese have always been good at borrowing from the west (technology and style) and turning it into something completely different and original.

Don't forget that western clothes have a short history in Japan.
Rather than following European and American trends, Harajuku girls were customizing elements of the traditional Japanese dress - Kimono, Obi and Geta sandals - and combining them with handmade, secondhand clothes.
Its a bit like a collage.
Nowadays each 'Harajuku clothing look' has its own avant-garde designers and brands.
Harajuku Style is all about rebellious individual self-expression, which is very interesting since Japans culture views Individualism negatively, and associates it with selfishness.

One hour in tokyo subway is enough to notice how everyone participating in the work force is wearing 'a uniform' (grey or black suit and a tie) which leaves no space for creativity and Individuality.

So these tokyo teens are having a say about the future that awaits for them – day after day for the rest of their lives.
Women too have to succumb to strict dress codes in Tokyo – see more on Tokyo dress codes.

Harajuku Style Created in Tokyo

Harajuku fashion was created in Tokyo, and evolved into a global pop culture phenomenon. You may have heard of it in one of its different names - Japanese Schoolgirl fashion, Tokyo pop culture and Tokyo pop princess.

'Harajuku Girls' is also the title of Gwen Stefani's 2004 album. The reference to Tokyo street fashion, helped draw attention to Harajuku Gothic fashion.

You may also remember the deadly schoolgirl In the movie 'Kill Bill', which created global recognition for 'Japanese Schoolgirl fashion'.

Tokyo street fashion turned Tokyo into a fashion capital. Tokyo fashion is well known in the world.
It's no wonder that Tokyo fashion designers and international designers look to the Tokyo street fashion for fresh inspiration. They closely watch Harajuku style and subcultures.
The Tokyo street fashion caused a cultural revolution, inspiring a new generation of designers all over the world.

Harajuku Gothic fashion is promoted in Japanese and international magazines such as Kera, Tune, Gothic & Lolita Bible and Fruits.

Harajuku Fashion Best Harajuku Style Pics

The secrets behind Harajuku Fashion - Why are Tokyo teens dressing like Gothic Lolitas, and the best Tokyo places for watching Cosplay costumes.
Harajuku Clothing Tips !

It happens every Sunday in the wonderful district of Harajuku. Harajuku girls dress up in Harajuku Gothic fashion.

Browse this site for lots of inside stories on How to be a Cosplay Girl.

The Japanese Cosplay page is a good starting point for ideas on Harajuku Fashion and Cosplay outfits.

Japan Cosplay page sends you to the Top 3 Gathering places for Cosplay followers.

Be sure to check out my Harajuku Girl page to learn on the many groups and styles of this great Japanese sub-culture.

It is very amusing to see how rebellious Tokyo teens dressed in Harajuku clothes meet tradition - represented by women wearing Kimono hurrying to Meiji Jingu shrine.
This takes place on Jingu Bridge (a pedestrian bridge that connects the area to Meiji Jingu shrine).

Tokyo teens who have dressed up in Harajuku style are just hanging out with friends, hoping their picture will be taken by one of the many magazine photographers in the crowd.