Harajuku

History and
Culture
What is Harajuku Fashion?
• Harajuku is located in
Tokyo, Japan.

• It is known for its

crazy street fashion!

• Harajuku fashion is a
perfect blend
between both
Western and Eastern
influences, mixed with
the imagination of the
Japanese youth.
 The roots of Harajuku fashion
• During the Edo period: Japan
was a sakoku (closed country)
nation, as ordered by the first
shogun.

• Fashion was all traditionally

Japanese with no foreign
influence due to its closed
country state.

• Fashion choices included:

different types of kimonos
depending on the social class,
sandals for footwear, and
women wore hair geisha style.
 The roots of Harajuku fashion
The Meiji Restoration
• The meiji restoration: Known as
the beginning of a new Japan.

• Emperors were in charge.

• Japan was modernized and

adopted Western tactics, and
new technology.

• Japan's economy boomed.

• Japanese fashion began to have

Western influences.
Roots of Japanese fashion:
World War II Era
 Today's fashion
• Today's modern fashion is always changing, and so is
the street fashion.

• There are many different styles of street fashion.

But why is street fashion so crazy?
• Although much has changed in Japan, the culture of
order and uniformity has not.
• There are uniforms for many things, and this type of
fashion is a creative outlet.
• Due to Japan's booming economy, pressure to compete
exists.
• Karoshi~ (death from overwork)
• Suicide rate in Japan~ 19.4 suicides per 100,000 people.
In the U.S it’s 12.6 per 100,000 people.
• Street fashion is a way of letting go, and feeling free.
• Many people also see this fashion as a type of art.
• Much of Japanese influence is also
present in Western fashion.
• Many of today's artists borrow styles from
crazy Japanese street fashion.
• The West continues to influence them, just
as equally as the East influences the
West!
 Thank you!
ありがとうございました !