Tokyo Street Style: The Ultimate Style Inspo
A Harajuku-inspired fashion editorial – go on and express yourself!
Fashion trends come and go – especially in the volatile age of social media. The solution? Looking up and at the streets of one of our favourite fashion capitals: Tokyo. Specifically, the streets of Harajuku where the fashion styles are diverse, fun, eclectic, fun, avant-garde ... did we already mention fun? Below, a fashion spread inspired by Harajuku street styles.
Ryan wears wool-blend top and denim jeans, Balenciaga. Vintage Comme des Garcons metal chain harness and Vetements acetate sunglasses, Upstairs Garments
NAME: “Ryan, last name Gann – pronounced G‑A‑I‑N.”
AGE: 22
ETHNICITY: “I was born and raised in Singapore, but am American and Chinese in ethnicity.”
OCCUPATION: “I’m modelling full‑time, but am planning for university in the near future.”
HIS FAVOURITE WAY OF EXPRESSING HIMSELF: “Through humour – whenever I post Instagram stories or reels, I try to add a comedic element to them, and when I’m with my friends, I love to banter with them because it makes me feel closer to them.”
BOLDEST OUTFIT HE HAS EVER WORN: “It would have to be this all‑black outfit that I wore to an event about two months ago, comprising a bulky mesh jacket worn over a compression top, oversize pants with a finish reminiscent of a starry night, and my pair of Guidis.”
HIS UNPOPULAR OPINION: “Dessert should be served now, not later.”
THE BEST THING ABOUT BEING YOUNG: “Being able to see my childhood friends often – it’s going to be tough to do so as we get older and have our own lives and families”
HIS BIGGEST WORRY: “How I’m going to survive, especially when everything is so unpredictable.”
WHAT EXCITES HIM MOST ABOUT THE FUTURE: “I’m most excited about where modelling will take me and how far I’d be able to make it in this career.”
HIS FAVOURITE WORD STARTING WITH “F”: “‘Food’!”
Joao wears wool coat (worn tied around waist) and cotton pants, Loewe. Vintage Yohji Yamamoto wool knit cardigan, Upstairs Garments. Cotton T-shirt, wilk scarf (worn as hed scarf) and Luco Triomphe goatskin loafers, Celine. Necklace, stylist’s own
NAME: Joao Henrique Alves Barreto
AGE: 18
HIS ETHNICITY: “I was born in Brazil, and am South American and Latino. My dad was sent here to work and I followed him.”
OCCUPATION: “Model and high school student.”
HOW HE WOULD DESCRIBE HIMSELF: “Authentic, young, and dedicated to everything that I love and that feels right to me.”
WHAT HE THINKS CLOTHES SAY ABOUT A PERSON: “Clothes can be a mirror to one’s soul.”
HIS FAVOURITE WAY OF EXPRESSING HIMSELF: “Through what I wear!”
HIS UNPOPULAR OPINION: “It’s absolutely valid to wear glasses purely for style.”
THE BEST THING ABOUT BEING YOUNG: “That I still have so much that I can conquer – and the determination and enthusiasm to do so.”
THE WORST THING ABOUT BEING YOUNG: “That some people might doubt my capabilities.”
HIS FAVOURITE WORD STARTING WITH “F”: “‘Future’”
Victoria wears lace jacket, denim skirt, patent leather flap bag with patent leather and metal chain strap, and leather boots, Chanel. Bralette (worn under jacket), subject’s own
NAME: Victoria Chan
AGE: 25
ETHNICITY: “I’m Singaporean Chinese.”
OCCUPATION: “I’m a model who also just graduated from the National University of Singapore, where I had studied real estate.”
HER PERSONAL STYLE IN ONE SENTENCE: “Typically over the top with a ton of black and lace.”
HER STYLE ICON: “Faye Wong in the 1990s.”
THE BOLDEST OUTFIT SHE HAS EVER WORN: “Has to be this dress with the bones of a cow incorporated into it for a shoot that I did in Milan.”
HER FAVOURITE WAY OF EXPRESSING HERSELF: “Through journalling and listening to music at home.”
THE MUSIC SHAPING HER WORLD RIGHT NOW: “I have a playlist labelled ‘Toilet Break’, with songs such as Roam by Mobbs and Susu Laroche, I Pass By by Detente and Your Home by Kuniyuki Takahashi on it.”
MOVIE CHARACTERS SHE RESONATES WITH: “I resonate with the characters from Farewell My Concubine (1993), as the film explores how the lines between real life and performance are often blurred. In my life, I, too, have to navigate who the real me is, and the different metaphorical masks I have to put on depending on the occasion and people I meet, especially at work.”
HER UNPOPULAR OPINION: “Men should stop performatively drinking matcha.”
THE BEST THING ABOUT BEING YOUNG: “Watching good movies for the first time.”
THE WORST THING ABOUT BEING YOUNG: “Having to figure out what makes me me.”
WHAT SHE’S EXCITED FOR IN THE FUTURE: “Finding stability and new experiences.”
HER FAVOURITE WORD STARTING WITH “F”: “‘Friends’”
Megan wears Valentino by Alessandro Michele crepe de chine shirt, matching skirt, and cotton socks; and Valentino Garavani embroidered calfskin belt, Vlogo Signature lace and leather gloves, Viva Superstar nappa leather belt bag with metal chain, Nellcote mini suede and linen bag with beaded embroidery and metal rivets, and Fawcette calfskin platform sandals, Valentino
NAME: Megan Vanessa Tan
AGE: “I’m 25 and I’m a National Day baby!”
ETHNICITY: “I’m a Chinese‑American Singaporean who was born in Florida. My dad is from here and we moved here when I was eight.”
OCCUPATION: “I model full‑time and create content for fun sometimes.”
HOW SHE DRESSES AND WHAT IT SAYS ABOUT HER: “I normally include elements of something sentimental into my outfits, such as trinkets, and bits and bobs from places that mean a lot to me.”
HER STYLE ICONS: “I have too many: Alexa Chung, Jane Birkin, David Bowie, Iggy Pop, Stevie Nicks and the New York Dolls, to name a few.”
HER FAVOURITE WAY OF EXPRESSING HERSELF: “Through my fashion choices, writing, music, poetry choices and speaking my mind.”
THE MUSIC SHAPING HER WORLD RIGHT NOW: “Canned Heat and Janis Joplin have been on repeat. Led Zeppelin occupies a massive space in my Liked playlist too.”
HER UNPOPULAR OPINION: “I have too many. For instance, I think that micro trends are harmful and pointless to keep up with.”
LESSONS SHE HAS HAD TO LEARN THE HARD WAY: “You only need one good friend; quality over quantity; sometimes, being alone is the best thing you can do for yourself; don’t drunk‑text; and leave people from the past in the past.”
THE BEST THING ABOUT BEING YOUNG: “The fact that life has so much to offer and that the possibilities are abundant. Everything is beautiful.”
THE WORST THING ABOUT BEING YOUNG: “Nothing. Time is a gift.”
HER BIGGEST WORRY: “That’d be how I’m going to live my next moment. Also, whether everything will be replaced by artificial intelligence, including the educators of my future children.”
WHAT SHE’S EXCITED FOR IN THE FUTURE: “The future!”
HER FAVOURITE WORD STARTING WITH “F”: “It can’t be printed.”
ALL INTERVIEWS HAVE BEEN EDITED FOR BREVITY AND CLARITY.
PHOTOGRAPHY ANGELA GUO STYLING TOK WEI LUN STYLING ASSISTANTS MEGAN LIM & CRYSTAL LIM HAIR JUNZ LOKE/35A MAKEUP KIMBERLY CHEE, USING CHANEL BEAUTY MODELS MEGAN, JOAO, RYAN & VICTORIA/NOW MODEL MANAGEMENT LOCATION SPECIAL THANKS TO NO SENSE STUDIO, FASSBENDER & MELLON COLLIE, & 35A