Popteen・ポップティーン July 2012

Popteen is a monthly fashion magazine published by Kadokawa Haruki Corporation in Japan. It is now one of Asia’s top fashion magazines, also distributed to Taiwan, Thailand and recently, the United States as well (in English of course). It features gyaru fashion, especially trends amongst high school students.

The magazine is mainly known for its gyaru icons, such as Ayumi Hamasaki, previously Tsubasa Masuwaka (graduated 2007 after marrying model Naoki Umeda), and now Funayama Kumiko (Kumicky♪).

Other artists who have appeared on the cover include Kumi Koda, Namie Amuro, Avril Lavigne, Britney Spears, Fergie and Gwen Stefani.

The magazine is well known for ‘doku-moderu’ (読者モデル), where readers have the opportunity to become models in the magazine through Popteen’s model search each year.

See the top right corner? That’s right, Big Bang was featured in this issue of Popteen!

Japanese School Uniform・学校制服

The seifuku is an item of wonder and transformation.
…at least to me it is.

Originally, the Japanese seifuku was modelled on European-style naval uniforms in the late 19th century. Traditionally, the boys uniform was military style and the girls uniform was a sailor outfit.

Das right. The sailor outfit replaced the hakama in the Meiji Era i.e. this wonderfully stylish piece↓

I wish I was given the chance to wear this to school everyday. At least when the wind blows, the skirt won’t fly up like a parachute.

All schools have a summer version of the uniform (white dress shirt and uniform slacks for boys and traditional uniform/blouse and tartan skirt for girls)  and a sports activity uniform. The sailor uniform is like a symbol of youth. Some fashionista individuals, if you’re being stereotypical – Tokyo girls, will subvert the uniform by adding loose socks, decorations, badges, shortening their skirts, etc. And in a way, that is how the gyaru fashion was brought about. (Will blog about later)

Jelly・ゼリーMay 2012

The magazine ‘Jelly・ゼリー’ is a fashion magazine that describes itself targeting ‘new generation’ gyaru. Others will call this style ‘glam’- think Ayumi Hamasaki, who also appeared on the cover of this month’s magazine :O It is published by Bunkasha, which also publishes another magazine called Ranzuki.

Here’s Ayu-chan showcasing her ‘new generation’ gyaru – a combination of cute glam.