The area around Tokyo's Harajuku Station on Sunday's is the heart of Tokyo's CosPlay scene; these girls, who are usually still in high school and from the suburbs, have been coined the Harajuku Girls, inspiring everyone from Gwen to the tons of tourists taking pictures of them. From gothic Lolita's to punk rock nurses to manja-inspired cartoons, teens decked out in costumes walk the streets in groups. CosPlay, short for "costume play" is huge here in certain counterculture circles: there are even Maid Cafes and Butler Cafe's, along with tons of shops catering to cos play, selling everything from little bo peep bonnets to 60's style prom dresses. Makeup is usually punky or gothic, and hair is teased to the high heavens. 
Monday, April 14, 2008
Tokyo Tour: Harajuku Girls & CosPlay
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13 comments:
i think its important to point out that Cosplay has nothing to do with Tokyo fashion such as gothic lolita etc. what they're wearing is not a costume, its their clothes.
I argree with you on that
Agreed. Also, despite the fact that cosplay is used as a shortened term of 'costume play', it is customary to combine both words into one word, and to not capitalize 'Play'.
It's actually regarded as rather offense to be called a cosplayer unless you are a character from a said anime/book/movie/etc. Many of the outfits pictured are bought from boutique brands, and pieces for such outfits can cost between 75 and 400 dollars, respectively. It's not a cheap hobby.
This comment wasn't meant to offend the initial writers, it's more a 'just so you know' kind of statement.
It's manga, not 'manja'.
I'd like to agree with the previous posts, on all points. Cosplay and Japanese street fashion are unrelated, and cosplay pertains only to dressing as a character or other object of fandom. Also the term IS 'manga' not 'manja'. That aside, 'Harajuku Girls' is only applied to Gwen Stefani's entourage, and those who participate in the various j-fashions don't appreciate being linked to Harajuku Girls or cosplay. Harajuku is a shopping district, not a style.
agreed with everyone. Don't get cosplay or street fashion mixed up. There are different tribes it's not "harajuku" style. It's like mixing up the punks and the goths with the D&D nerds in the west.
Agreed with everyone too !
I agree with all above comments - I am one who participates in a variety of these fashions, and while this article may be somewhat informative for those without knowledge of these fashions, it can also be very misleading.
Another thing that I would like to add regarding "gothic Lolita": this is simply one sub-section of the lolita fashion, and if 'gothic' is not capitalized then 'lolita' isn't as well. Other lolita subgenres are shirololita (lolita based solely on the color white), kurololita (the same as shiro only with black), sweet lolita (one of the most common, normally with soft pastel colors), classic lolita (based more upon Rococo styles), etc.
I must aldo greatly stress: the lolita fashion style is in no way related to Nabokov's Lolita or the western perception of the word "lolita". The fashion is meant more to imitate Victorian eras, though many have come up with styles such as "cyber lolita" which adds more futuristic elements to their outfits. Modesty is also a goal in lolita: normally, any skirt that comes higher than two" inches above the knee are considered "erololita", or "erotic lolita".
Cosplay is a derogatory term when used to describe someone that participates in these hobbies, as often cosplay is seen as "cheap" (though there are those who put much time, effort, and money into their outfits). The lolita fashion varies in price from $200 to $400 for a brand-name dress, and not even accessories cost much less. Other fashions that include such brands as h.NAOTO, Sexpot ReVeNGe, and Qutie Frash, among others, can cost anywhere from $30 for one t-shirt to up to $400 for one dress or pair of pants.
I am sure that many in the Japanese fashion communities would gladly help you out when next writing an article just so they aren't quite so misrepresented.
thanks for sharing!!!
regards,
Anime
Hello.
Its very important to maintain the beauty.Its really helpful getting tips and using it.
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balaji
Baby Clothes
the first picture :
It's like the crying devil
hahahaha
What's about your opinion
Harajuku = Cosplay
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