Kumamiki

Partybaby designer

Ribbon

Apparel sales representative

Harajuku fashion is a way to express myself.

Polka dots on a vividly colored kimono, combined with ribbons and rainbow-colored hair. This is the seemingly eccentric style of so-called Harajuku girls, who make it their fashion statement. Kumamiki says, “I design children’s clothes that even adults can wear. I nicknamed myself kuma (bear) because I looked back at my childhood drawing of a teddy bear and found it to be so kawaii.”Another girl wears Harajuku fashion to create a character she calls “Ribbon.” “Thanks to Harajuku fashion, I’ve established my own character,” says Ribbon. “Her hair is girlish while her clothes are boyish. This is Ribbon’s concept. She’s not limited by gender.” Harajuku girls often say kawaii, which is nothing more than an exclamation of surprise. “Probably, for us kawaii means ‘That’s amazing!’”