AJET Connect MAY 2014

FASHION ROUNDUP:HOW JAPAN HAS INFLUENCED& INSPIRED MY STYLEYuko Nakajima, SaitamaYuko is a 1 st -year ALT who spends her time gallivantingaround Tokyo in flippy dresses. She loves taking happy snaps,stuffing her face and trolling for anything and everythingcute or fun.The fashion scene in Japan has definitely encouraged me to upthe “cuteness” and downplay the “edginess” in my wardrobe.I’ve kept my love of bold, bright statement prints, just with ahigher dose of cute. I’m glad spring is finally here, becausethe warm weather means I can whip out my tie-front tops, funplaysuits, high-waisted shorts and swirly skirts. “Fun, floral andflirty”—that’s me!Fashion photography is a major love of mine, and I’m astoundedby the creativity and incredible attention to detail around me.Sure feels like it’s perpetually Tokyo Fashion Week! Japanesefashionistas regard every waking moment as an opportunity toshowcase their style, so there’s nothing off-limits, and few thingsimprove one’s outfit and posture as heels can. The lifestyle inAustralia is comparatively more laidback, so it’s a rare sight tosee a woman in heels in the daytime. I’m definitely a convert.I’ve always been addicted to hair accessories and Japanese stylehas taught me to embrace—can you believe it—scrunchies!Scrunchies, so lame back home but the height of femininesophistication in this country.While it may appear socially unacceptable to show cleavage,clavicle or even your shoulders, miniskirts and barely-thereshorts are no cause for concern. [Fash Ed: See Page 28 of303the September 2013 issue of Connect for more on bare31shoulders]. Use this odd cultural quirk to incorporate layeringThis get-up screams SUMMER!!! Chambray is a majorinto your style repertoire! Japan is the land of layering!player in my wardrobe because it’s casual and goes withalmost everything. I’d wear this to Coachella or any kind offun-in-the-sun-but not fussy/fancy event.The best outfits combine basics, high-street, designer and vintagefashion. Back home, I frequented thrift stores and I must sayvintage stores in Japan are a veritable treasure trove! Everythingis kept in mint condition and fairly well-priced. Much as I likedepartment stores like Lumine, the prohibitive prices mean I limitmyself to infrequent treats from stores such as Journal Standard,Beams and Olive des Olives, with the occasional fun purchasefrom Liz Lisa, Cecil Mcbee or V.V.P. Visalia.Beauty products remind me of “Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory,FOR YOUR FACE”. I’ll gladly spend a whole day in a drug store orat The Plaza. Everything is so luxuriously-scented and deliciouslyflavoured.Just the other day I bought strawberry marshmallowfrosted lipgloss, and it took everything not to eat it straight fromthe tube.Finally, Japan loves anything limited edition, so pounce whenyou see 季 節 限 定 (kisetsu gentei –seasonal specialty). Manybrands, be they food, beauty products or clothing lines, releaseitems only available in Japan for a limited time. One recentexample is the Undercover x Nike Gyakusou Collab.What can I say—embrace the wild and the weird, and have funshopping in Japan!1 212Floral motifs comprise 80% of the items in my wardrobebecause the colours are perennial, feminine and oh-sopretty.I love anything high-waisted (especially when pairedwith crop tops)—but I particularly love this skirt becauseit is not only floral but also a pinafore! The suede Pradapochette was an absolute steal that I found it at TreasureFactory complete with card of authenticity. Black suedeplatform boots and cat eye sunnies complete the look.3My next favourite print? Why leopard of course! Mycoordinates are a giant mix of prints, textures andpatterns—leopard print headband, acid wash and studpocket oversize tee, black velvet leggings, suede Nike Dunkwedge sneakers (I’m obsessed with olive green) and mybeloved Nike x Undercover Gyakusou running jacket.FASHION & BEAUTYCONNECTCONNECTFASHION & BEAUTYMay Issue 2014 May Issue 2014