OUR COSPLAY DISCOVERIES.

While exploring Tokyo, we came across several different tribes of Cosplay dressers. They were scattered across various districts, many in Harajuku on the weekend, and then we were lucky enough to stumble over a Cosplay convention in Akihabara! This gave us a priceless insight into the world of Cosplay, and we were able to take some amazing photographs ... Here are just a couple!

~ Helena

LOVE MAGAZINE.

Here are a few quick snaps I have taken from a Magazine I picked up in Tokyo called 'LOVE'. This magazine is proving to be great visual inspiration. This is only the 3rd issue, so it is a relatively new magazine. There is an interesting contrast between the cartoon animated front cover and then mainly photography based inside.... Take A Look. 

~ Helena

MOMOKO - JAPAN

Momoko Ogihara was featured in her own magazine produced by Nylon Japan. She runs her own label based in Tokyo called Murua, its hard to find out much more about her as most of the information on her is in Japanese but she is widely mentioned on the net across a variety of fashion and beauty blogs along with a multitude of video interviews on Youtube with MTV and Nylon .tv
Her make-up and style crtainly seems to be admired by a lot of Japanese and Western girls alike. She mentions in her magazine that she uses mainly MAC, Nars and iope for her sknicare routine. From what I have read, iope is a very popular Asian skincare brand made in Korea.

.Anna.

HAKUHODO MAKE-UP BRUSHES

As used by Nikki and Sam from Pixiwoo, these brushes are fast becoming a favourite with make-up artsists worldwide. Originating in Japan the brand prides itself on using tradiational brush making techniques and only using natural hair.
It's always interesting to find out about these kind of traditional Japanese brands especially as Illamasqua only use synthetic fibres for their brushes, it would be interesting to see is this would make any difference to the Japanese consumer. .Anna.

BUNKA - TOKYO FASHION UNIVERSITY VISIT.

One of the things we organised before we went to Japan was to go to the Bunka Tokyo Fashion University and meet with some of the students there. We met with a couple that did Fashion Design, some that are studying Japanese and English, so that the language barrier wasn’t a problem, and also met with three Nottingham Trent students who are attending Bunka for a term as part of an exchange.

They were able to provide us with a lot of valuable information that as tourists we might not have found out about. One of the key things they told us about and then showed us are these photo-booths that are usually on the third floor of arcades that many Japanese girls visit on a regular occasion after school. 

We discovered how so many Japanese girls have a strong desire to look Western, and this is evident within the ways they alter their appearance, and through the effects of these photo booths. These photo booths make your skin lighters and flawless, widen your eyes, and then once you have had your photo's taken you are then able to virtually alter them further. There are options to change eye colour, add fake eye-lashes, add lipstick and all other make-up, as well as adding accessories onto your clothes and hair. These photo-booths allow the consumer to create a whole other 'perfect' version of themselves. On top of this, there is also a range of out-fits you can choose to dress up in and have your photo's taken in! Anna and I gave it a go ... !

~ Helena

CULTURAL WAYS.

One of the crucial things Anna and I needed to do during our trip to Tokyo, was begin to understand the Japanese culture. This includes what they deem to be acceptable and unacceptable, as we don’t want Illamasqua to do anything that they would find offensive. So, we visited the temples, ate their food, looked at their means of transport, visited their gardens and parks, and analysed the way they dressed and behaved within different situations. 

~ Helena

SHU UEMURA - AYA TAKANO

On our trip to Tokyo we got to see Shu's current collaboration with Aya Takano, a famous Japanese pop artisit associated with the 'Superflat movement'. She is heavily influneced by American science fiction and Japanese manga, creating beautiful and other-worldly illustrations. Helena and I have often said that we feel the collaborative collections by Shu Uemura don't always seem to fit with the brand aesthetic, but I think their focus is on keeping the brand rooted in Japanese culture, hence their reoccurring collaborations with Japanese artists. I happen to really love this one!!

.Anna.

SUPERFUTURE GUIDE TOKYO.

This has been Purchased, Printed and Packed. This shall be lived by like the Bible!

~ Helena

MARTIN MARGIELA.

Recently opened on the 29th of October in Daikanyama is the 'maison in a room' at Martin Margiela. This installation showcases all of the brands non-fashion product lines. Beautiful and imaginative use of the interior, certainly worth a visit for inspiration on our research trip to Tokyo. 


~ Helena

20 BEAK STREET.

Our visit to Illamasqua's recently opened Flagship store in London. Some very interesting features such as the smashed mirror to express the alternative brands values.

~ Helena