Meet These Anti-Kawaii, Slow-Life Inspired Japanese Fashion Fiends
They’re some of today’s most ardent – and outstanding – consumers of fashion who are shaping retail tastes and habits. Here, our (tongue-in-cheek) anthropological study.
Stephanie (left) in Faith Connexion tweed shirt, Surrender, and leather belt, Gucci. Carol (far right) in polyester dress, Pleats Please Issey Miyake. All other items, their own
The look
Anti-kawaii, slow life-inspired Japanese fashion that gives one the appearance of an artist/carpenter/someone who leads a bucolic life. Also, only neutral colours, please.
Fashion heroes
Rei Kawakubo (duh) and Hiroki Nakamura, founder of Visvim
The demographic
Defined not so much by age or occupation, but the belief that everything cool hails from the Land of The Rising Sun. Here we have (from left) gallery manager Stephanie Hsueh, IT specialist George Lee, senior sales engineer Chan Chee Young, and HR adviser Carol Minyt.
Most likely to be seen at
Muji, Aesop, lifestyle boutiques Atomi and Supplies & Company, and hair salon Kizuki+Lim
Fashion must-haves
Anti-maximalist staples with thoughtful details from the likes of Comme des Garcons and Y’s. Engineered Garments, Beams Plus, Kapital and Orslow are their go-to labels for casual wear.
Text & Styling Imran Jalal Photography Vee Chin Styling Assistant Christabel Teo Hair Miho Kimura/Itto+Lim Salon & Christvian Goh, using Kevin Murphy Makeup Benedict Choo, using Urban Decay & Priscelia Wong Ying Cui, using Motives Cosmetics
This story first appeared in Female's June 2018 print issue.