Harajuku — is a mix of all the Japanese sub-styles such as Lolita, Visual Kei, Decora, Mori Kei and many more. It involves a lot of layering and mixing old and new pieces together. Some incorporate the traditional kimono with some quirky accessories to spice up the entire look. There will never be a repeated clothing piece for Harajuku fashion fans. Everything is custom-made and some will grow creative and beyond by DIY-ing their own pieces.
The fashion started in the 1980s when street performers donned cartoonish and eccentric looks as a means to attract more passerbys. Then it rose in the 1990s, when it was adopted by pop star artists as a passage to fully express themselves through their music and fashion. The Harajuku fashion has then made history and stirred up a storm when plenty of Japanese youths picked up the trend.
Harajuku style is often misinterpreted as cosplaying when indeed they are two different things. Harajuku fashion is a lifestyle and a form of expression while cosplaying is done to dress up as their favourite fictional characters. A number of youths and fans of the Harajuku culture have been spotted embracing this style in Singapore. And if you’re in it or simply interested in it, here are some shops in Singapore that carry and embody the Harajuku style.
Lolita
Though the term ‘Lolilta’ is normally perceived negatively in other cultures, here in Japan what it embraces is the whimsical and romantic aspects of the style. The style consists of a lot of frills, Victorian fashion pieces and looking cutesy. The Lolita fashion can branch out to two diverse sides — one of which is soft and sweet while the other is dark and gothic. Depending on your preference, Lolita definitely enhances the femininity of the people.
Address: Bugis Street, 3 New Bugis Street, Singapore 188867
Opening hours: Daily from 12pm to 10pm
Visual Kei
Visual Kei is also known as Visual Style or Visual System and what it was rooted from Glam Rock. The style started evolving and now Visual Kei can generally be seen everywhere from band t-shirts and ripped jeans. This fashion style is the embodiment of punk/emo rock where people can often be seen in tons of black, ripped and rugged pieces to show their expression of ‘free spirited’. The look is then completed with loads of layered silver accessories.
Address: Sects Shop by Depression, 277 Orchard Road, Orchard Gateway #04-14, 238858
Opening hours: Daily from 12pm to 10pm
Decora
The Decora style is just a burst of colour and patterns. This style embraces all things eye-catching and psychedelic. It is also an example of a kawaii aesthetic in Japanese fashion as it is supposed to make the person more childlike and youthful. People donning this style often get their inspiration from cartoons. So, their fashion pieces often include a bunch of hairclips, stickers and bright neon patterned clothing.
Address: Blum & Co, 252 North Bridge Rd, #02-12/13 The Providore Raffles City, Singapore 179103
Opening hours: Daily from 10am to 9:30pm
Mori Kei
This fashion style is more subdued and neutral (literally). Fashionistas of Mori Kei wear clothes of earthy and faded colours as it is to capture the inspiration of forest inhabitants. They would wear different shades of nudes and lightweight clothing to capture the ‘cosy meets whimsy’ style. Mori Kei is closely related to cottage core fashion only that Mori Kei tune down on its colours and patterns. Additionally, it encaptures a more modest and conservative look.
Address: The Editor's Market, 313 Orchard Rd, #03 - 01 to 08, Singapore 238895
Opening hours: Daily from 10:30am to 10pm
