Hyper Japan at The Old Truman Brewery

Following on from a recent post about the trend for all things ‘Japaneazy-Peazy’, it came as no surprise that last weekend saw the first ever Hyper Japan Exhibition at The Old Truman Brewery.  Three days of nothing but in your face Japanese Pop Culture – from Manga, anime, snacks to technology, street fashion and so very much more.

Event Poster

The entertainment was diverse, including fashion shows, film screenings, cooking lessons, sake tasting sessions and first dibs at the latest Playstation 3 game, ‘Dragonball Raging Blast 2’.  The vibe was fiercely buzzing!  As for the outfits, well, take a look for yourself.  It was almost as though Harajuku had moved to the East End.  Priceless.

An audience with one of Japan’s top Lolita Models, Misako Aoki, was a roaring success.  The Q&A session was hosted by Tania Tanzil, representative of UK-based Lolita fashion fans, and Naoki Matsumura, Editorial Supervisor of KERA magazine, Japan’s leading street fashion magazine.  Naoki, talked of her joy in bringing Lolita and gothic fashion back to the UK: “These styles are heavily influenced by the daring punk fashion pioneered by Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren. Obviously, it has transformed over time in Japan, but it’s a great honour to be here in the home of these style icons, showcasing what essentially is a product of London’s fashion innovation”.  (You see, it all started over here.  In London.  Of course.)

Kera Magazine

So, reading between all the sparkle and shine, it appears as though the trend for all things ‘DECO’ is set to continue.  By ‘DECO’, I mean the next step up from customization.  True personalized decorating gone bonkers!  Quite frankly.  Check out ON THE LASH, where you can turn your otherwise dull eyelashes into full on spider eyes - a look which was already picked up by Katie Waissel when performing at the judges house on X Factor recently.  (A raw fashionista in the making that one - mark my words!)

Another avenue with which to go 'DECO' crazy, is with gadgetry.  Now we know how the Japanese are famous for their love of contraptions.  (Just remember the Japanese kid in the film The Goonies).  Well, check out this video for some ideas on how you can go about upscaling your mobile phone.  The Japanese 'bling' is nothing like the footballers bling as we know it.  Japanese bling is simply fantastical, magical and cutesy to the bone.  Go on try it.

                         

Final Farewell to Alexander McQueen

17 March 1969 – 11 February 2010

As the pandemonium that is London Fashion Week unfolds in it's usual chaotic style, the inside motley crew were at St. Pauls Cathedral today making their peace with the death of their close friend and uber talented designer, Alexander McQueen.  As we all know, McQueen took his own life in a tragic twist following the death of his mother, in February this year.  The fashion scene has been in mourning ever since.


As we (us lesser motely peeps) were not invited to today's ceremony, I thought I would allow those of us who wish to - to also pay our respects to the legendary fashionista.  I have included the song below; a version of Gloomy Sunday (the song about contemplating suicide, originally by Billie Holiday) which was performed by Björk at today's ceremony.


For full effect put on your favourite pair of heels, light a candle and remember McQueen at his best...


                         


Farewell Alexander McQueen... you will be missed....


R.I.P

London Design Festival is Now Open!

                          

The London Design Festival launched yesterday, with a focal point being the huge OUTRACE Installation in Trafalgar Square.  Created by Swedish duo Clemens Weisshaar and Reed Kram (and sponsored by Audi) this OTT piece of techno-sculpure/art/ design (errm - product placement - let's be realistic!) is, well - it just is, isn't it?  Whatever.  Yawn, yawn - didn't we see this 'robot' on the TV ad a while ago?

Here is the photoshopped image, to try and excite you.  I reckon Nelson is thinking WTF is all the fuss about? I know I am.  Robots, lights... and?? So what!

This festival, it seems, is becoming somewhat of a Hallmark occasion for these ego-centric brands with ridiculous budgets to 'support' the festival.  Supporting, what I'm asking?  Harsh, perhaps?!  I don't think so.  For a start, Trafalgar Square being probably THE most landmark location in London, would have possibly been a better home for a more original, or at the very least, British talent to shine.

In the end, money talks... (over talent, apparently)...

Anyway, now that I've had my rant, let the week of mayhem begin.  I'm sure there'll be some good, some bad and some down right ugly.  Let's see.

Of course, there is always the Anti-Design Festival; the anti-establishment organisation which is actually 'supporting' the London Design scene and offering a platform for real, raw and unadulterated talent to emerge. This 'arch-nemesis' to the shiny, polished, unoriginal display of commercialised perfectionism (The London Design Festival, if that wasn't clear), will also be showcasing an array of work and ideas across the capital this week.   At the very least, there is something for everyone.