Japanese Fashion Traditional in the Now

Media Release
8th September 2009

Japanese Fashion Traditional in the Now

“Tradition in the Now”, the theme of this year’s Taste of Japan, an annual Japanese festival organised by the New Zealand Japan Society of Auckland.

“It is a pleasure and an honour to co-produce the fashion show for this year’s festival”, says Bevan Chuang, Director of Loli-Pop Consulting. “The idea of the fashion show is to showcase Japanese fashion from tradition to now.”

“From yukata, the summer casual kimono made in cotton, to the outrageous Cosplay (short for costume-play), the audience are expected to be vowed by the creativity of Japanese designs,” says Chuang.

“Japan has a huge influence on the fashion world,” Chuang continues. “and New Zealanders recognised and appreciate the fashion influence from Japan. Kimono can be purchased easily in Auckland; and many who wear contemporary Japanese fashion are local Aucklanders too.”

The fashion show will give Aucklanders an alternative flavour to the Fashion Week.

The show will be opened by young Auckland singer Sonja Thomsen.

The fashion show runs from 2.30pm to 3.15pm on Saturday 19th September 2009, at Logan Campbell, ASB Showgrounds, Greenlane West.

Additional information – costumes on display.

• Yukata – a summer casual kimono made in cotton. Will be worn by 9 children and 9 adults.
• Kimono – the traditional fine art of Japan. Well-known globally.
• Miko – a traditional religious costume worn by girls at the Shinto shrines in Japan.
• Ganguro – famous in the late 90s to early 2000s, girls traditionally wear dark skin foundation, bleached hair, thick black eyeliner, and white eye concealer around the eyes.
• Gal – known as the “Tokyo Girls” look, it is all about glitz and glamour. Every year Japanese girls flock to see the Tokyo Girls Collection, a annual ‘must-go’ fashion show for the Gal. Think rhinestones, high heels, false eye lashes, and acrylic nails with nail art.
• Gothic Lolita – known as “gosu-loli” in Japan, girls turn the western concept of Gothic and Victorian into baby like cute costumes. Once thought to be a sign of rebellion, it becomes an international cult.
• Cosplay – short form for costume play – boys or girls dress up as their favourite animation characters. Every year Armageddon Pulp Expo has a Cosplay competition. Last year, boys dressed up as bro‘Town were spotted in Auckland’s Expo.
• Cyber goth – this is taking punk into the next level. Neon colours, hair extension, platform shoes, and the lot. The latest fashion from Tokyo and many parts of Europe.

ENDS

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