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Gold Trend Celebrity Editorials Tokyo Fashion Trends 2010

Friday, March 26, 2010

I Want It, But Can't Have It : Japan's Fashion Market



Reading New York Times article on why Japanese clothing is so hard to get hold of and what’s being done about it, inspires me to continue my interest of reporting on Japanese Fashion Trends. Even though it is hard to get some popular labels only available in Japan, it will prove to be valuable in the long run. There are public officials making moves to help young designers and their labels to be marketed overseas. One of the main fashion trendsetters for Japan, Harajuku, is being targeted as a main marketing strategy for Japanese fashion. It has been my introduction to the Japanese Fashion scene. New York Times states that, "the Foreign Ministry dispatched a group of suit-clad officials to Tokyo’s hip Harajuku neighborhood to survey the latest trends, part of an effort to promote Japanese fashion overseas. After interviews with shoppers and sales clerks, the ministry came up with a battle plan: to appoint three young trendsetters as “ambassadors” of Japanese chic, charged with extending the industry’s reach overseas and piquing interest in Japanese brands." There is hope. The New York Times also reports that,"For the first time this year, the collection, renamed Japan Fashion Week, sponsored a splinter fashion event in New York to showcase Japanese designers, and it has planned another runway show in New York in mid-February." Many designers do not have the proper tools or know how to market their collections overseas. Read the entire article here.

Photo by-Erin G (flickr.com)

I Was Inspired! #1




Curly fro, edgy style and a coolness to match. Julia Sarr-Jamois, an 22 year old model turned Fashion Editor for Wonderland Magazine, is my inspiration for the day. I ran into this young lady by way of the Jak & Jil blog, a popular photography blog by Tommy Ton. I was totally captivated by her! And it seems, after spending close to an hour researching her, that there are others who have been captivated too.


Photo-moptopmaven.blogspot.com I am guessing this photo was shot by Tommy Ton.

Highlighted: Japan's Horn Obsession



Tamae Hirokawa, the lead designer of Japanese fashion label SOMARTA showed an model with hair styled horns at Japan Fashion Week. Which leads me to wonder what is up with the obsession with horns? On every Japanese gaming site I play, there is always horns to dress up your character. Now I see it here in a major fashion week. Oni, a mythological character in the Japanese culture, may explain why Hirokawa's showed hairy horns. According to Wikipedia, "Oni (鬼?) are creatures from Japanese folklore...They are often depicted wearing tiger-skin loincloths and carrying iron clubs...This image leads to the expression "oni with an iron club" (鬼に金棒, oni-ni-kanabō?), that is, to be invincible or undefeatable. It can also be used in the sense of "strong beyond strong", or having one's natural quality enhanced or supplemented by the use of some tool." Hirokawa is known for withdrawing from conservative designing in favor of using a more conceptual approach to her designs. Sending a model down the runway with perfectly wrapped horns is a clear message that she considers herself to have made her stamp in the Fashion Industry. I, as well as others, will be looking out for more from this designer. Her message has been clearly noted.



Photo-hurricanevanessa.com

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Which Suit Will You Jump Into?





















































There is something very chic about an jumpsuit designed to accentuate your ability to look cool in anything you put on. The right jumpsuit gives off a certain vibe, persona; that you have a relaxed attitude when it comes to style. Buy the right one and you are set for not only comfort but total admiration of your onlookers. Here are some of my favorite jumpsuits from the Spring/Summer runways. Find jumpsuits in all shapes and forms, from skin tight body conscious to sheer, loose and carefree.

Photos-Style.com, Photos Above (from left to right)-Rochas, Malandrino, Iceberg, Lavin, Luca Luca, and Jen Kao

Summer & Leather?





















Yes, it is a trend. For someone living in the south and in humid conditions that would spell trouble! Well, not if you take notes from these recommended designers on how to style yourself for this trend. Emilio Pucci, Jill Stuart and Tracy Reese got this trend in the bag. Leather vest, short cropped jackets and leather minis spells "Punk Rock" fun to me!

Photos-Style.com, Photos Above (from Left to Right)-Emilio Pucci, Jill Stuart and Tracy Reese.

And Pretty Bows All In A Row!




































Naeem Khan's Spring 2010 Collection is by far the prettiest collection to feature bows as a continued trend this season. Playing on other trends such as bright and embellished, this is a new found designer favorite for me. I love fashion that has fun energy and that reminds you of far away places just yearning to breathe new life into your style. Meenal Mistry for Style.com reports that Khan calls this collection, "Punk Raj." Seemingly all dresses, it's a collection of separate pieces you can mix and match till your heart is content. Which is what "Punk" and currently my style, is all about!

Photos-Style.com

Highlighted: Japan's Fox Fur Obsession



There is no denying it that fur is part of the fashion industry. Even with all the protest against killing animals, fashion designers and fashionistas everywhere can't get enough of fur and fashion. Designers to use fur in their 2010 fall/wintercollections include, Michael Kors, Thakoon, Thuy, Chanel and Louis Vuitton. Luxury is in the details this fall from cross body satchels,to boots and matching chain strap handbags. I must say, Michael Kors collection is my favorite look for men for the fall! There is something that is ultra sexy, strong and masculine about a man who wears fur the right way. Males do take note.













Photos-tokyofashion.com, style.com, Pictures Above- (from left to right) Micheal Kors, Thakoon, Chanel.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

It's Time to Play!




















If you are a hopeless romantic and fancy the fantasy of looking like a doll, then the collections by Dolce & Gabbana and Karl Lagerfeld will truly inspire your style this year. Printed floral, apron, and ruffled chiffon dresses will be on your must-have list. Get wrapped up in a wonderland of perfectly pretty dresses adorned with roses, lace or poppies. Here is a few of my favorite finds for the doll in you:



























Photos (from left to right)-instyle.co.uk, style.com, urbanoutfitters.com, anthropologie.com, lanebryant.com and ardenb.com.

Nail Color Obsession #1



OPI's nail collection, Hong Kong and nailjuice.com has me drooling over this new color to try for the season, Lucky Lucky Lavender. A fabulous mix of pink and purple, Teen Vogue Daily describes it as, "cheerful and sweet, with just a hint of edge." Yeah, I think this color suits me just fine!

Photo-nailjuice.com

Sensible Shoes Stylish & Makes Sense



Sturdy, Clunky, Clompy can be music to some fashionista's ears, especially when you are walking the streets of New York or D.C.! The shoes worn on Chanel & Celine's runway was my favorite this season. Here are some of my favorite shoe finds as well. From Left to right: Forever21, Steve Madden and Anthropologie. A stylish pick for any size pocket. Check them out! O.K. maybe some of the stilettos wouldn't be considered sensible by some, but really, I just couldn't help it!






Photos-Style.com, forever21.com, stevemadden.com, anthropologie.com

Sportswear, Spring/Summer Trend






















Ready to let your hair down? Taking notes from Alexander Wang's Spring/Summer 2010 show,Instyle.co.uk says that the key to embracing Sportswear as a trend is to, "allow your urban cool to shine through by teaming rolled-up trackies with heels, cover mid-riffs with high-waisted pants, plait your hair and throw on a classic trench." I still don't know if I am willing to wear heels with track pants but what I do know is that I am really embracing the body conscious designs and brights for this season. My favorite Sport look would have to be Versace's 2010 Ready-To-Wear Collection. The 90's inspired prints and shears teamed up with ultra body hugging minis is what I would love to sport! It looks like I had the right idea of hitting the gym to get those bottom limbs in shape! I so really want to try wearing a rockin' mini-bright this summer!

Photos-Style.com

Monday, March 22, 2010

My Ordinary Love Music Monday!



So it is Music Monday on Twitter and I am just getting into the whole Twitter, tweeting thing and thought about this artist to blog and tweet. I've been following her for sometime on Facebook and just received inbox that her newest single, Ordinary Love is now available on iTunes. The single is from her newest project Stupid Human|Trick. Describing her music as Soul Music Hip Hop, the album is being produced by Pittsburgh,PA producer BusCrates. The album will be released early 2010 and will feature some cool artist. Listening to her single, Ordinary Love, I thought that the soulfully mixed music and her rhapsody voice makes you think of sitting in an Urban cafe, sipping on your favorite blend of coffee while smiling and enjoying your friends in comfort! Her favorite musicians include Marvin Gaye,Isaac Hayes, Ella Fitzgerald,Louis Armstrong, D'Angelo to name a few. Ordinary Love on itunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/ordinary-love/id360653722. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Photo-iTunes

Consume This!


With all the talk about Eco-Friendly this and Environmental friendly that, I was wondering if I could find an interesting clothing item to blog about and I have found it! Katherine Hamnett, a pioneer in the Fashion Industry, is undoubtedly the best source to feature when it comes to writing about consumers of Fashion and the Environment. Hamnett has been designing clothing since the seventies. She has had international recognition of her work. Her success has shaped our past and present love of certain Fashion such as distressed denim, stonewash denim, stretch denim, parachute silk, garment dyeing, the crumpled look, military inspired sportswear, power dressing, leggings, lycra and jump suits! She invented it all! Bored with her success she now designs and is an advocate for Fashion that is environmentally and ethically produced. Read more on Katherine Hamnett and the Fashion Industry's sustained efforts at the following links: http://www.bbc.co.uk/thread/features/sustained_effort/ & http://www.katharinehamnett.com/



Photo-bbc.co.uk

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Highlighted: Japan's Red Bag Obsession


I've been seeing alot of red bags in Tokyo Street Fashion pics and now I am hooked! I was searching around for the perfect red bag and found one on New York Mags website by Topshop. A Metallic and Suede intermix. A girl just gotta have it! Now doesn't it just look delicious, like red licorice! Oh and look, it's a "V" bag!


photo-Tokyofashion.com

Oh Snap!


Here is a snapshot of me with one of my favorite magazines. This is an old copy I found in the attic! I also found my own pair of geek-retro sunglasses to rock this spring. Can you guess which magazine I am holding and if so, what Issue?

Photo-Web Cam Pic