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Monday, December 31, 2012

Trend Spot-Peter Pan Collar


It’s true that fashion does repeat itself, and with a new outtake.  For the past year, Peter Pan collars has been showing up, from dresses, blouses, to even detachable collars and necklaces.  It adds a cute elegance to your wardrobe!

The Peter Pan collar came into popularity in 1905 after the actress Maude Adams wore it during the role of Peter Pan, and continued on to be in women’s fashion as well as little girls’.  Though, prior to that, the collar has already been worn.  During the 1930s and 40s, it was dominant in women’s wedding dresses as well.

This ivory white with red polka dotted Peter Pan collar dress(Freeway) looks fabulous with a black sequined sweater(Forever 21) thrown over it, pair it with sheer polka dot black tights and boots to give this classic look an edge.  As well as a multiple metal chain strand necklace of black and red(H&M) to rock this look further, throwing in a Hello Kitty backpack to balance the sweet side of it with a school girl feel.
                                                  
                                     
This black and white triple Peter Pan Collar tank(Six Degrees of Seperation), matches a high waist multiple ruffle layered black skirt(Romy).  The polka dots on the tank breaks the solidness up a bit, pairing it with shiny jewelry will glam it up for perhaps a night out.



A Look Inside the Popular Angelic Pretty,Baby the Stars Shine Bright,and h.NAOTO

On my trip to San Franscisco, I took a visit to the popular internationally recognized lolita brand stores, Angelic Pretty and Baby the Stars Shine Bright, as well as the gothic/visual kei brand h.NAOTO.  I was curious to see the stores that made such a hype in the Japanese subculture community, these companies has been long established,as long as since the early 1970s originating from Japan.

Angelic Pretty

"The Angelic Pretty line-up offers a cute, Lolita-like fashion style, enchanted to make a girl's dreams come true. Angelic Pretty provides adorable clothing covered in lace, frills and ribbons like that of the fairytale princess you dreamed about as a little girl. We want girls to never lose sight of that dream. And this is a brand for girls who want to keep that dream alive"


                                                  A sub brand of Angelic Pretty,"Black Peace Now"

Baby the Stars Shine Bright
"In a time when one truly felt cute and elegant like a beautiful princess,
happily dressing up in fancy frills and lace.  Our Lolita designs bear this mindset."



h.NAOTO
"Mixes gothic,romantic, and street style of Harajuku.  Many influences permeate the collections, ranging from nature to literature to art." 



Sunday, October 7, 2012

Keyakisai/Bunka Fashion Show 2012 in Seattle: Change the Vision

On September 23rd,2012,  third year Japanese students of the Department of International Fashion and Culture Studies from Bunka Gakuen University, showcased their collections in the 14th annual Keyakisai Fashion Show in Seattle. This will be the university's 11th year showcasing in Seattle. This extraordinary show awed the audience, with eye-catching designs, and with different scene concepts that moved the audience.  This year's theme was "Change the Vision."




Scene 1: Dierre

Designer's statement: "These seemingly harmless animals show their true colors when it comes to survival. Baring their fangs and fighting for their lives."









Scene 2: Technology

Designer's statement: "Human beings are funny creatures...making convenience a priority and becoming victims of technology."












Scene 3: Juicy Story

Designer's statement: "Every rose has its thorn.  No matter how much you try to disguise yourself, you cannot hide your true self."









Scene 4: Bright

Designer's statement: "Someone is...making you sparkle, like a tiny star brightly in the infinite sky."









Scene 5: (Untranslated at the moment)

Designer's statement: "Rules and regulations are boring when it comes to style.  What I wear defies the ordinary...What I call subliminal fashion."




Scene 6: (Untranslated at the moment)

Designer's statement: "Timeless beauty remains unchanged with the passing of the years. The forces of ancient Japanese traditions are eternal."












Scene 7: (Untranslated at the moment)

Designer's statement: "I do what I want to do and wear what I want to wear.  This is my own glittering world. My own world."






Scene 8: (Untranslated at the moment)

Designer's statement: "The one who tries to control everything and everyone...is actually a cowardly despot, afraid of being overpowered."









Scene 9: (Untranslated at the moment)

Designer's statement: "Gaze upon the wide world from a new perspective...Have you realized the beauty of humanity?"







After the Show:





 Me on the left next to the model, and Miss Valerie Olson on the right in the photo below:


Below is a photo I took as I walked out the door and saw the models in front, and thought it would be a great view to see the details on the back of their clothing designs:


*Photography credits except the last photo, goes to George Vernon.