FRUITY FRESH FASHION FUN

Given my new, passionate fascination with contemporary Japanese street style and Asian ball jointed dolls (which are often costumed in wild, vivid style: Gothic Lolita, Doll, or Cyber fashion, all inspired by the kids who inhabit the Harajuku region of Tokyo), it's maybe no surprise that Shoichi Aoki's FRUITS (2001) caught my eye while I was browsing art titles at BORDERS yesterday evening.

Certainly, I have no intention of actually dressing like these beautifully costumed Asian youths (most of them teenagers).  And for all I know, these styles are already long out of vogue.  No matter, though; the eye candy in this jam-packed, inspirational volume is extraordinary.  It's perfect, wildly original, incentive to create for artistic types of every ilk.  And what's exceptionally cool is that the "models" in these shots are all regular people, walking the streets of Tokyo... every one of them photographed against an urban backdrop that makes Japan itself a character in each image.  I think I've read and reread the book no less than ten times since I brought it home just last night.  I was supremely thrilled to find there's even a sequel, FRESH FRUITS (2005), which I'll be nabbing at my local Barnes & Noble later today.  Both books are compilations of photos taken by Aoki for his magazine of the same name (FRUITS) which has something of a cult following in Japan, or so it's written.

If, like me, you're inspired by vivid colors; foreign locales; fancy, funky costumes and altered fashions; and beauty in all its varied forms; check these volumes out.  Pretty, pretty!!

Comments

[Pamela Overmier]

Shelli if I thought for a minute I could get away with wearing a get up like these I would do it. In the mean time, I am hiding this from my 11 yr old, who might not hesitate! Pam

[louise peers]

Shelli ,it is about 8 years since I went to Tokyo now but saw some of the teenagers dressed like this ,love it too.Toyko is a wonderful place
hugs,
Louise xx