TOKYO SHOPS – the wow factor unpacked
In Tokyo, it doesn’t matter whether you’re stepping into the marvellous MUJI – heralded for it’s reliable blandness in design, it’s mundane minimalism but unbendable quality – or the basic and bland Japanese clothing shop UNIQLO that not unlike Muji features simple lines and quality ‘plains’ desired throughout the world … – or if you’re wandering down the blinging Omote-Sando with the incredible architecture of designer shops Prada, Dior, Cartier, Chloe etc…. Maybe you’re at the Ueno fish market checking out some fresh salmon or wandering through the second hand stores in Harajuku – wherever you may be you’ll have to agree that the Japanese are experts at making their shops, shopfronts and their product displays utterly tempting and tasteful. Mwah! Check out our Tokyo pics of shops, shopping and displays right here. Don’t miss the breathe-taking Prada building photos especially the ones we managed to ‘sneaktake’ inside – note the fur covered railings! And by the way if ever you’re in London or Tokyo make sure you get to Muji and Uniqlo – two of Japan’s greatest exports! Whatever you buy will last you for a long long time even though it may look a little...
TOKYO FASHION – Alternative is the norm.
In the first of our features on Tokyo, Editorista tells us how she experienced the fashion and youth culture: So I’m back, jetlagged and luggageless – but I’m bubbling over with awesome stories from my sejour…The best way for me to explain what I experienced in Tokyo is to put it down as it went through my head – as a constant comparison to how we live here in South Africa and Joburg in particular. I can’t help it, I’m fascinated by how some places are so quirky and how they work so well – I believe that our emerging economy and developing country has a lot it can learn from others who lead the way. Don’t forget that Japan was devastated in the Second World War and that they have rebuilt their society since then… Their real period of urbanisation and social change and reinvention came about in the mid 60s and 70’s – only 20 years after the war and atomic bombs. We’re on year 12 of our journey – interesting comparison to start with… Anyway – I digress… As you may or may not know, Editorista set off for a week to Tokyo searching for trends and generally finding out what it is that makes Tokyo peeps rock as much as they do. “I was totally overwhelmed, inspired and humbled by the Japanese people and the glowing, pulsing, moving city of Tokyo and I encourage anybody who’s vaguely interested in the East to start saving now! Forget the usual suspects when it comes to travelling and make sure to head on to Japan! Even though I’ve never been to the US and I probably stand corrected, I imagine New York must pale in comparison to this futuristic streamlined metropolis that is TOKYO or Edo as it used to be known. It’s futuristic, organised, clean, mind-boggling and endless. Go GO HAMBANI!” (PS: I’m sorry the site was a little boring and ‘under-updated’ in my absence but I promise that the next few stories of our TOKYO feature will more then make up for it. Ncesi.) First up, FASHION and the YOUTH CULTURE. Wow. There’s definitely lots of similarities and coherence between the originality and creativity of Tokyo youth and Jozi youth and I often found myself feeling right ekasi. But there are lots of differences as well. For one, the unemployment level in Japan has reached a shocking “5%” which everyone is up in arms about. Hah Hah. Try our stats for size. This means that most of the youth are employed and therefore have disposable income and a guaranteed job no matter what their education or background – so they get to live it up and spend money on getting creative and trendy...
We will be back!
