I cannot begin to guess how many times I have argued both sides of this issue. You are both right, depending on the person and circumstance.

What I have experienced is that those who truly express an inner nature by their apparel truly appreciate that those who dress similarly help define the look to outsiders, whether they have any thought behind their choices beyond "ooh, neat!" or not. By the same token they have every right to resent those who are dressing that way simply because they want to either fit in or contrast themselves to others, because it dilutes the message - sometimes even perverting the original message of the fashion.

But there is always a meaning behind how one chooses to be seen in public. There is still intent, regardless of whether its to call attention to a philosophy or simply to demonstrate that you don't care beyond comfort issues.

For instance, when I see someone wearing a leather collar or heavy neck chain I have a simultaneous, if somewhat schizophrenic reaction. You see, at one point in my life a leather collar was something my partner earned from me. It was a symbol of loyalty and service, not a trinket that was fashionable or that you purchased for yourself. When I see one around a neck in public, part of me appreciates that it could move from its history in with those of us in an even deeper subculture to something worn by another generation in defiance of the norm, part of me is amused because often I can sense the wearer has no clue what it means in that other world, and part of me wants to challenge the person to defend their right to wear it because it degrades that history.

I think "outcasts" might be too strong a word. Mostly I think they dress that way because the fashion appeals to them. They are not spat on or sworn at. Often people ask those dressed up at Harujuku (or in Tennoji in Osaka) to pose with them for pictures, and they are usually happy to oblige.

Ah, I see, thankyou for that information. What I was trying to get across is that not every Japanese person dresses that way, and that they are a minority, which I presume is correct?

Calling them a minority would be generous. A minority of a minority of a minority is more like it.

I think some people have a somewhat misguided view of Harajuku... if you go there on any day besides Saturday or Sunday, there's very very few people dressed up there. The only time you really see a lot of people dressed up is on a nice Sunday afternoon. Even then, most the people there are just regular folks. Most see it as a hobby, not a lifestyle. A lot of the people you see dressed up there on a Sunday will be dressed up in normal clothes any other day of the week, on their way to work or school or whatever.

Harajuku is a type of visual kei, I said a freedom of expression. Because in a way when people do dress up like that they want to be different and not the same like everyone else. That's how I see it at least. I think it's quite a pretty style and like in Japan I don't do it everyday, only when I've got time to apply all the makeup which is usually on the weekends. The reason I do it is because I like to be different than everyone else. I refuse to follow the 'cool' fashions at my school or have a 'normal' type of hairstyle-after all, right now I have my hair cut like one of Miyavi's old hairstyles (I think I found the pic and I liked it), but it pretty much is pretty short and shaved on both sides, it's kind of like a mohawk in a way but I just mess it up I don't do the whole spiking thing.

I see, that is what I sort of anticipated. A lot of people seem to think Japan is full of J-rockers, Lolitas, and Visual Kei -_-=

Yeah, I agree, that's a pretty good way to sum it all up :D

:D



Thanks an interview would be really helpful :D

Basically its just a few very short questions::confused: :)
1) what made you choose goth-loli as opposed to other versions of harajuku? (besides self-expression, was there any other reason?)
2) How often would you dress in Harajuku clothes?
3) What do you think of the other Harajuku styles, Kawaii, Gyaru, etc? do you hate one or the other etc?
4) Do many of your friends/ any boys dress in Harajuku stuff?
5) When you're in public what reaction do you get from others? positive/negative in regards to your outfits?


once again thanks a million :)

Okies, I'll PM you with the answers :)