HARAJUJU

Trend Watching: Blogger Style

So what is blogger style? Simply put, it’s fashion influenced by some of the Internet’s most fashionable ladies, a group which includes the likes of Rumi Neely, Carolina Engman, Christine L., and Louise Ebel…and it’s everywhere. Pretty much every young women’s fashion magazine in Japan from ELLE girl to happie Nuts to ViVi has been tracking blogger style in some way for the past couple months.

Take this feature from the May 2011 issue of SCawaii, showcasing what the magazine calls “international blogger style”:

The same issue also features a spread styled after LOOKBOOK’s iconic interface, made more authentic by a direct-from-Los Angeles photo shoot with Jillian Kate:

Blogger style makeup? You bet! SCawaii shows you how:

More looks, as seen in the May 2011 issue of Happie nuts:

ViVi can’t get enough of blogger style, either. A lengthy feature in the June 2011 issue highlighted overseas bloggers and brands to watch as well as featured a blogger style look book:

Blogger style naturally favors a bevy of Western brands, which is great news for girls without ready access to Japanese clothing. Of course, many Japanese brands like EGOIST, GILFY, EMODA, and MURUA are turning out their own blogger style duds, too. (Check out off-brand shop GALSTAR for low-cost alternatives.)

So ready to give blogger style a spin? This article from the June 2011 issue of Popteen is a basic crash-course in key colors, clothing, and accessories, includinglots of black and neutrals; loose knits, blouses, and jackets; shorts; platform shoes; and simple jewelry:

While blogger style’s effortlessly cool chic is definitely a hit with older gals, it’s interesting to see it branch out into magazines like Popteen, which are aimed at typically younger audiences.

Finally, always a good measuring stick for trends, the 109 shopping site recently put together this feature incorporating blogger-inspired style with various gal brands, including CECIL McBEE, GILFY, Gimlet, LIZ LISA, and BACKS:

Could blogger style be a lingering trend within gal fashion? There’s a distinct possibility. What we’re seeing is really shaping up to be more of a large-scale movement rather than just a small-scale trend. The sweet dolly look that ushered itself in two or three years ago is starting to show signs of age, so it’s not surprising that Japanese girls are starting to turn their attention elsewhere…well, for now at least. Fashion bloggers are living proof of the appeal of “real clothes” styled by real people as well as a new, global generation of women with both style and Internet savvy.

What do you think of blogger style? Would you give it try? Tell us more on the forums!

Comment on this post at HARAJUJU.net Forums

rockonannasui:

Finally! The first piece of the Spring 2011 ad campaign. What do you think of it? To be honest, I don’t really like Hanne Gaby Odiele as an Anna Sui model and I wish Kristina Romanova was making a different face, but I really love the setting and, of course, the clothes. <3 Looking forward to see the un-split version of this ad.

Thanks to Galism for pointing out to me that the latest Vivi magazine issue had this.

Comment on this post at HARAJUJU.net Forums

Darling dresses from the March 2011 issue of Vivi. Check out more of Theatre Products modest but feminine spring collection here.

Comment on this post at HARAJUJU.net Forums

Brilliant coral colored lips, as modeled by Ena Matsumoto in the March 2011 issue of Vivi.

Looking at this spread, you can also see how Ena’s own look influenced the hair and makeup of the models at the EMODA runway show! (In case you missed it, see photos of the show here.) Like her lipstick?
She’s using MAC Morange, along with EMODA’s own clear gloss.

Would you try coral lips for spring? Let us know on the forum!

Comment on this post at HARAJUJU.net Forums

Trend Watching: Polka Dots

If you’ve been following magazines and brands these last couple months, then you’ve likely been swept up by the sea of leopard, plaid, and nordic patterns flooding the gal universe. Need a lifeline? Well, we’re here to save you. There’s something else that’s got gals going these days…polka dots!

Popsister seems the most excited about polka dots. Their November issue shows several ways to wear them, whether you prefer to look “spicy” or “sweet.”

Go for a more playful look with oversized polka dots, as shown in the November issues of Popsister and Vivi.

Or take a more sophisticated approach with polka dots mixed with neutral shades, seen in these examples from JELLY and Vivi.

Polka dots mesh well with other fall trends, too. Pair a dotted one piece with a fur vest or booties or even with a military-style parka.

Combine polka dots with colorful outwear for a bold impression. You can’t go wrong with red this season!

Let’s not forget about polka dot leg wear, either. Short socks and stockings from sheer to opaque are all great choices.

Gyaru models are seeing spots, too. Here, Popteen model Rui Kotobuki combined polka dots with red point items:

Egg model Kanako Kawabata sported polka dots with other monotone prints:

Akaharu working polka dots on both the top and bottom—you go, girl!

Comment on this post at HARAJUJU.net Forums | Ask Us | Submit to Our Tumblr

Too cute.

hyorina:

Vivi 2010/12

Comment on this post at HARAJUJU.net Forums | Ask Us | Submit to Our Tumblr

Vivi x snidel ファーポーチ

I picked up the November 2010 issue of Vivi two days ago at Mitsuwa! I am pleasantly surprised at how cool this freebie giveaway is. Going with the current fall fur trend, buyers receive a cute black ファーポーチ (fur pouch). It’s an oval shape, 14 x 12 x 4 cm, with an aged gold chain length of 11 cm when held up.

From the Vivi website, 特別付録は「ViVi×snidel ふわもこファーポーチ」。今年人気のファー×ゴールドチェーンでスペシャルcute♪” Loosely translated, “The special supplement is a fur pouch by Vivi x snidel. Fur and gold chain collabs are special and cute, & have been popular this year.”

For $13, the magazine & fur pouch combined are a reasonable price ^^. For more info about snidel: http://snidel.com & http://tokyofashion.com/snidel/

brad-t’s note: Thanks for letting us know about this! I’m sure one of our readers will find it interesting. However, this really looks like a $13 bag. lol

Anna Sui advert from the March 2010 issue of Vivi. Cool idea for a manicure!

Obnoxious in a good way.

ggggal:

Amuro Namie in Vivi <3

inspireddoll:

Gilfy for their Fall book stepped away from Jelly (which they’ve been with the last few seasons) and went with powerhouse Vivi. Looks hot ♥

While flipping through my magazines, I stumbled across this fabulous Anna Sui accessories feature that ran in the April 2009 issue of Vivi. Enjoy all twenty-one pages of beautiful clothing, shoes, bags, jewelry and more after the jump or download hi-res versions of the scans here.