Asian culture has an obsession with doll like characteristics. The latest internet phenomena to go viral, is 3 month long blogger, Dakota Koti. Almost a million upload views and those looks! Why doesn’t she have an agency yet? was the first thought to cross my mind when stumbling onto her page.

The image aspired to, au naturel in one: perfect pout, big bobble eyes, porcelain skin, lolita complex, and milk tea colored hair. She’s the next personality star to be swept East, if she plays her cards right. Once a model agency picks her up- it better be one with multiple agents. I want her in London and Tokyo.

Modeling, a job that disguises what truly is day to day as much as its voyagers’ faces are. It is something which contradicts itself, with the start of being glamorous and austere at the same time. Transported around the world, a model’s stamina to be independent and alone, is a constant challenge. City to unknown city they travel being stuck in housing shared with multiple others. The indie film “Tiger” revolves around this world, choosing Japan as the backdrop. Fresh blood is constantly transported to to the capital, Tokyo, where isolation is put on display if you’re a foreigner.

The story follows two models in a relationship already doomed, tossing them through the whirlwind of fashion, and revealing the hardships which thousands of young models endure to maintain their career.

Filmed with no budget, pure film, and real models, only the raw grit of the industry is organically captured.

For the promotion of the Beaufort film, models were approached and asked a few questions which relate their life to the story.

Follow Beaufort on their blog and buy a copy of the DVD for $30AUD here.

On November 30th, I attended one of the best shows I’ve seen so far in London. I left pumped and inspired by a brand I’ve never taken too much interest in. I knew of Speedo’s Aqualab for quite sometime, but it was not at the top of my list to keep my full attention. Now, after this experience, and seeing what Speedo is up to, I’m determined to dive deeper into the brand.

The Speedo collection for 2012, was simple and slick. A staple. The designs were purely seasonless, something I stress. I believe all garments should be relevant to the current day and the future. If you invest in quality, it should not be a reinvention of a past trend, it should be in for the long haul of wear and tear.

Alongside the show of gymnastics, their was the revealing of the revolutionary Fastskin3. A powerful video accompanied the pieces as the Olympic team walked out in formation. My curiosity of something so earth-shattering only gave me more questions. How will this change the future of swimming as a sport? How will this affect a swimmer’s mentality? And, the big one- how can this innovation be integrated into everyday society and evolve it?

One day soon I hope to ask these questions… This Spring, Speedo, will be more incorporated into my daily life than I could of ever thought. I’m even looking into gym memberships to kill that 700cal with a swim. Editorials, films, features- I want my readers to see how tangible sportswear can be.

MAISON LANCE is a fashion house founded in 2010 by Kyosuke Kunimoto. It produces unisex clothing, shoes, and accessories, under three different lines: LANCE antiquité, LANCE boutique and LANCE galerié.

The debut collection of this Japanese designer was composed of a single shoe design made from 12 different antiquated materials. The selected range of periods and countries concluded of 18th century French ‘Toile de Jouy’, a 19th century Black Flock coat, French Metis cotton cloth from the 1910s, and Italian Velvet Tapestry from the 1930s.

Kyosuke uses eccentric materials for LANCE antiquité as a peerless physical element. These unique and uncompromising choices have formed the spine of the label’s concept and aesthetics. With this new style, he creates a sophisticated form alongside essential contemporary design.

The fundamental design for LANCE boutique and LANCE galerié are based on a similar concept but are more involved with structural and technical aspects. Kyosuke uses antique resources of men’s tailoring and theater costumes as his inspiration for construction. He then combines what he’s collected with modern materials.

His creations refer to a balance made by the transformation of two opposite fundamental elements and not just an outcome reliant on the combination of different eras.

I eat vegan food, but I’m not vegan. Raw treats, less sugar, gluten-free, healthy fats- vegan treats are at the top of my baking list. As I’m a fiend when it comes to recipe hunting, I think I’ve just replaced my favorite vegan blog. LookBook CookBook is a place for vegan friendly fashionistas. Each post’s star isn’t the clothes though, it’s the food.

Friday, I went to a part of West London, where half of the street is the oddest of industrial, and the other contains moss-covered British neo-gothism. I was on my way to Bella Freud’s Christmas Party. Layered with crocheted bits, a lucky garter, my black hooded coat, and thick wool socks, I dashed from the station in heels. Quite proud of myself about fifteen minutes later, I missed a cobble and almost kissed the stone purple. (My goal to conquer the uneven, random pavement of England in inches, hopefully, has almost been accomplished.)

Walking into the dulled numbers, with a spin, I pressed her bell. Up a winding staircase, I made my way into the reception room. Instantly it felt like my roots. It’s funny how the slightly bohemian part of the industry (internationally) has a similar smell, and feel. It was a relief- no questionable swimmers stuck in the shallows, just the real people up the mountain.

Over tea, minced pies, and various other treats, we chatted about Bella’s knits. The current collection, “Fetish”, was on display alongside her friend Jessica Jones’ book The Elegant Art of Falling Apart.

The book is quite the story of mishaps, but with Jessica’s bright personality shining through the text, they’re nonetheless entertaining. With Bella’s warm lighting, squishy chairs, and floor to ceiling bookshelves, I had to restrict myself from curling up in a corner to read a couple chapters.

The thing about Bella’s Knits is that they’re simple, but bold. Made of the softest wool they have either a bit of text scribbled about, an illustration, stripes, or a logo. Nothing more. Thus it makes them widely versatile, and with sayings such as “Ginsberg is God, Goddard is Dog”, “SEX” plastered on the front with “rock” on the arm, and her defining piece of Autumn- “Fetish” she has a wide range of defiant souls sold.

Towards the end, after running around and sick with sweets, I was given my own sweater. As my standstill budget is only my own, it was a perfect christmas present! Bella had given me the “Fetish” jumper, oversized- just how I like it. It has silver glitter amongst the black, and white text isolated on the front.

After my blackberry finally met its end, I realized I had to rush back east, so I said my goodbyes and asked Bella’s opinion on shops for movie night. (Video City was her recommendation.)

世界のファッションを代表する都市であるNew York Cityにはたくさんの“ブロガー”が活躍している。ブログがこの世に普及し始め、ファッションも含めた全てのジャンルにおいて、“ブログ”とい言葉を聞かない日はないと言っても過言ではなくなってきた。

様々なサイトで気軽に作成出来る利点、そして世界中の人々と繋がるという意味において、ブログはコミュニケーションの一つとして大変重要なものとなっている。

ファッションにおいて、所謂”ファッションブロガー”が着実に現代のファッション界に影響を与えているのは確実であり、ファッションブロガーからファッション界に本格的にデビューするなど、今や“趣味”の領域から“仕事”または“プロ”になる人々も増えて来た。

今回は、そのファッションブロガーであり、New York Cityで着実に実力を着けているWataru 君にインタビューをさせてもらう事になった。

インタビューを通して、彼のファッション感やそれに対する世界観。  そして、彼にとってNew York Cityとはどういう存在なのかを聞いてみた。

As New York City is one of the most stylish places in the world, there are many “fashion bloggers”. Since the term “blog” became popular, especially in fashion- everyday people search and hear about new ones.

The most beneficial thing about a blog is that one can easily create their own and make it simply aesthetically pleasing. Then, as a communication tool- it has a substantial meaning towards sharing information amongst people internationally.

As with fashion, it is true that the title “fashion blogger” has steadily influenced its world. In fact, some bloggers have made the leap from it being just a “hobby” to their “professional job”.

Recently I’ve interviewed Wataru Bob Shimosato, a Japanese Street Style Blogger in New York City. I asked him about his idea of fashion, his street style blog, what New York City means to him, and everything in relation.

(Left: Wataru Bob Shimosato / Right: Yusuke Aoki.
Our first meeting in East Village, NYC.)

インタビューに入る前に、彼と僕の関係を少し紹介したい。

Wataru君との出会いは１年以上前に遡る。  某SNSサイトで彼からメッセージが来たのが全ての始まりだった。始めてのメッセージを受け取った当時、僕はペンシルベニア州のコミュニティーカレッジで退屈な日々を送り、一方のWataru君はNew York Cityに住みながら僕と同じように大学に通う、まだ“普通”の大学生だった。  メッジージの内容は「同年代でファッションが好きな人が周りにいないからもし次回ニューヨークに来る機会があれば是非お話がしたい。」  早速僕がNew Yorkに言った時にEast Villageの日系居酒屋で色々な事を話した。  ファッション、今までの経歴、ニューヨークの事。  今でも彼の眼が希望、そして野心で満ち溢れているのを覚えている。それからあまり時を経たずして彼はAn Unknown Quantityを始めて、ブログのアクセスも上昇し、いつからか遠い存在になってしまった。 そんな事をもあり、実は僕の中でWataru君の事を嫉妬している部分もあるのだろう。  そんな前置きはさておいて、そろそろインタビューの内容を書きたいと思う。  質問の全てに丁寧に答えてもらったWataru君に改めて感謝をしたい。  と共に、これからの活躍もすごく楽しみにしている。

Before further reading- I’d like to introduce how we came to know each other.

I met him for first time about one year ago. We came into contact with each other over Japanese SNS, as he sent me a message. Back then I was in a tiny community college in Pennsylvania, and it was very bland. Wataru was living in New York City going to college, as he was a normal student at that time. The message stated “I don’t have friends who are same-generation and love fashion in the United States of America, so I would like to talk with you when you come to the city.”  Once north, I met Wataru in East Village. We talked about our views about fashion, our stories, and why we were in the city. I still remember his eyes- they gleamed with ambition and even hope. Since then, he started his blog “An Unknown Quantity,” gaining readers gradually. When I realized his fresh momentum- I developed a bit of jealousy. He was in a different world from me.

With the interview, I really appreciate that he carefully answered my questions. I do hope his blog becomes famous, and he continues to keep enjoying fashion in his own way.

Yusuke Aoki (以下 Y):「まずはなぜブログを始めようとしたのか？またなぜスナップなのかを教えてください」
“Firstly, how did you come up with the idea to start a blog, and why is it ‘snap’ (street style)?”

Wataru Bob Shimosato (以下 W): 「まず単純にファッションが大好きでした。 日本にいたときから色んなファッションスナップサイトをチェックするのが好きだった。 日本人でNew York Cityでスナップを撮っている人がいないと思ったから、日本を含めて自分で発信したいな、と思い始めたのが最初です。それと、プロから目線のスナップではなくて、一般人（Wataru君自身）として発信もしたかったですしね。」
“Simply, I love fashion. When I was in Japan, I followed many fashion ‘snap’ sites. I realized that there is not a Japanese person who take snaps in New York City, and wanted to make a blog- which expresses to the world. And, I wanted it to be from a normal person’s point of view, not a professional one.”

Y: 「どんなスナップをチェックしていましたか？それと、ファッションを好きになったきっかけもあれば教えてください
“What kind of snap sites did you follow, and when did you begin to fall in love with fashion?”

W : 「高校が私服登校で、自然と服に興味を持ち始めました。 その当時はChoki Chokiの全盛期だったですし、それとTUNEも創刊したてでよくチェックしていましたね。  インターネットのサイトではDrop Tokyo と 今でも Shito Reiさんの Style from Tokyoは見ています。」
“My high school allowed us to wear casual clothing (as usually, Japanese high schools have uniforms). So, naturally I became interested in Fashion. At that time, Choki Choki (a famous Japanese snap style magazine) became very popular, so I checked it often. And, TUNE (also known as a Japanese snap magazine, mainly post abnormal style) just started, so I read it a lot. On the internet, I followed Drop Tokyo, and I still look at Shito Rei’s Style from Tokyo.”

Y: 「海外のサイトは見なかった？」
“You didn’t look at any other countries’ ‘snap’?”

W:「見なかったというよりは、まだその当時全然知らなくて、、、」
“Actually, I didn’t know many websites at the time…”

Y:「その当時のサイトや雑誌から何か影響を受けた事はありますか？」
“Were you influenced by those websites and magazines?”

W:「Choki Choki全盛期で、よくNara Yuyaさんの服装は見ていました。その当時、彼のレギンスにショートパンツを合わせるのは、今では日本の人も普通にやっているけど、あの当時は彼のスタイルを見てとても面白いなぁと思いました。」
“Choki Choki was a kind of golden age at the time, and I always checked Yuya Nara’s style. He put short pants with leggings. Now, many Japanese people do his style, but then it was new, so I thought Yuya was very interesting.”

(YoungJun Koo with Wataru in Soho, NYC. He’s a friend and blogger of I’M KOO.)

Y: 「Wataru君にとってのFashionの意味があれば教えてください。かなり曖昧な質問なんだけどさ（笑）。 それと、好きなブランド等もあれば教えてください。」
“What is fashion to you? Does it have any meaning? I know it’s a very obscure question. And, do you have a favorite brand?”

W:「ファッションの意味、という事にならないかもしれませんが、自分が服を着ていて楽しいと思えるのが大事なんだと思います。 周りがどう思おうが、好きな服を好きに着ればいいんじゃないかなって。  Blessはファッションを好きになったきっかけのブランドです。  地元（長野県松本市）のセレクトショップで始めてBlessに出会って、すごく面白いブランドだなぁ、と思いました。」
“I don’t know if my answer is really correct, but it is important for people to wear clothing that is enjoyable. You do not need to care what other people think. Just wear what you want. For a brand, Bless was one which got me to love fashion. I saw Bless in in a local shop, Matsumoto, Nagano, and I thought the brand was great.”

Y:「ブログを始めて心境や環境の変化は感じますか？」
“Have you and your environment changed since you started the blog?”

W:「気持ちの変化としては、ブログをやる事によって色々な人々と繋がるのを実感しています。 環境の変化に関してはまだあまり感じられませんね。まだ有名じゃないですし。」
“For myself, I’m realizing I can connect with many different people. I don’t feel any environmental change yet though, because I’m not famous.”

Y: 「ファッションブロガーとしてどこか言ってみたいところはありますか？
“As a fashion blogger, which city or country would you like to go?”

 
W: 「パリ、ロンドン、ミラノには行ってみたい。」
“Paris, London, and Milan.”

 
Y：「その都市のファッションに対するイメージがあれば教えてください」
“What’s your interpretation of those cities’ images?”

 
W: 「パリは女性的なイメージが強いですね。 ミラノはとてもダンディーなイメージ。 セクシーさもあると思う。 ロンドンは少し東京と似ている感じ。 色んなスタイルがあるように感じます。」

“Paris… I feel is a female image. Milan is very dandy and has the element of sexy. London kind of has the same aura as Tokyo. I feel London has a lot of different styles.”

Y: 「ファッションブロガーとしてではなく、一個人の旅行として行きたい所はありますか？
“As Wataru, not as a blogger, where would you like to go?”
W: 「ベルリンに行きたいです 。」
“Wanna go to Berlin.”

Y: 「Blessね？」
“Because of Bless?”

 
W: 「そう（笑）」
“Yep!”

Y: 「これからのWataru君のプランを教えてください。これからどうしたいとか。」
“What are your plans for the future?”

 
W: 「New York でファッションに携われる仕事がしたいです。 スナップも続けられたらいいなと思っています。それと、日本のブランドを日本人としてNew Yorkで広めたいとも思っています。 ショールームなどで展示出来ればいいですね。　日本にも若くてもいいブランドはありますから。」

“I want to get a job, something related to fashion in New York City. And, I want to continue taking ‘snap’. Also, I’m thinking of showing Japanese brands to people in New York. Like a show room. I can exhibit them, and introduce people who don’t know much about Japanese fashion, to new brands. Japan has a lot of good young labels.”

Y: 「次の質問が一番聞きたいのだけれども、 Wataru君にとってのNew York Cityの意味を教えてください」
“The next question is one I really look forward to. What is New York City to you?”

 
W: 「New Yorkにいると、やろうと思えば出来る様な気がします。 日本の場合だと、年功序列がどうしても足を引っ張るイメージがありますが、New Yorkだったら若くても評価してくれる。 それと、 New Yorkにはとてもエネルギーがあるように感じます。 お互いが高め合っている様に見えます。 いつも周りと話をしていて毎回たくさんの刺激を受けるし、日本にいるときよりもアクティブになれたのはNew Yorkにいるからじゃないかと思っています。」
“I feel I can do anything I want and can imagine in New York City. In Japan, there’s the negative case of the seniority-older system (most of all scenarios, Japanese society should respect older people, and sometimes voices of young generation are tended to be ignored.) In New York, it does not matter if you’re young or old. If young people succeed, they are appreciated. And, New York has a lot of energy. It seems like each person stimulates each other mutually. When I talk with someone, I always have much stimuli. My life in New York is more active than in Japan.”

Y: 「Wataru君のブログに関する質問をさせてください。 スナップを撮るに至って、何か基準等はありますか？」
“When you take a snap, do you have anything you look for?”

 
W: 「見て直感的に「かっこいい」だったり「かわいい」と思った人を撮るようにしています。いいブランドを着ていてもそれだけじゃないと思います。　だから僕のブログは本当にオールジャンルです。　たぶん東京のスタイルを見て来たからそれをNew Yorkでも反映させてるんじゃないかと思ってます。
“Just look for someone cute or cool, and take a picture. I don’t photograph people who only wear high-end clothing. My feelings are not limited to that, so people who are on the blog are from all genres. I have seen a similarity to Tokyo styles by mixing everything, so it may make me reflect my ideas of how I’d take a snap.”

Y: 「今回は本当にありがとう。　最後に何か言いたい事があれば。」
“I really appreciate this interview, do you have anything else to mention? Feel free.”

 
W: 「Fashionを楽しみましょう！　楽しんでいる人は見ていて分かります！　こちらこそありがとう。」
“Enjoy Fashion! I feel something amazing from people who do.”

 

インタビューが終わり、このブログを編集を終えようとしたときに、Wataru君から１通のメッセージが来た。　彼にとってスナップを撮る上で一番大事な事をインタビュー中に言い忘れたと言う事で、その事をわざわざ送って来てくれた。

「写真を撮る際に、ファッションだけじゃなくてその人の人柄というか人間性みたいなものなんかも表すような写真を撮ることを心がけてるっていうようなことを加えていただけたら嬉しいです。一応、これは自分で一番大切にしている部分で、もちろんファッションスナップだからかっこいい人とか好きなスタイルの人を撮るのは当然なんだけど、それと平行してヒューマンフォトグラフ的な、そんな写真を撮りたい、っていつも思ってます。そういうことカフェで言い忘れてた気がするので、できればちょっとでも書いてくれたら嬉しい！」

While I was editing this article after, I received a message from Wataru, because he forgot to say what the most important reason he takes ‘snaps’ is:

“When I take a photo, I always keep in mind not only a taste of fashion, but also his or her humanity and characteristic. Actually, this is the most important part to me. Of course, because of a fashion snap, I take my loving style, but in parallel, I always make sure to take a “human photograph.” I guess I forgot to say this in the cafe, so please put this. Thank You!”

Not too long ago, after a day at the Tate, we decided to make our way over to St Pauls Cathedral for the first night of Occupy London. It was a moment of brief inspiration and hopeful grins when walking through to see what was done. Pictures were displayed on the fences with clever remarks alongside art and signs scribbled with “Free Massages” and “Hot Tea”.

Still going strong today, Vivienne Westwood has joined in as a supporter. She said quite a few words of encouragement while overlooking the steps filled with around 400 people.

“What you’re doing, I think it’s wonderful” she stated. Then after a speech about her views, she made sure to lighten the air with referencing the National Gallery just down the road: “An art lover is a freedom fighter.”

To learn more about Occupy, just hop on over to their site.

By merging old with the new, appreciating fashion’s previous and evolving a vintage garment into a post modern design- the Reformation is here.

For Autumn, Yael Aflalo of Reformation and designer Lindsey Thornburg collaborated to bring Thornburg’s complimentary aesthetic to the collection.

I find something nostalgic about having a piece of history, but I’m in no way interested in being a retro kid. Reformation acknowledges the past, and although it’s recycling, it isn’t dwelling on the previous form. It’s being sustainable through metamorphose- cutting down another era to fit society’s next season.

Each detail left shows an influence to oneself, like a high wasted pant with a contemporary seam. One of a kind for the buyer- you cannot get anymore of an individualistic piece than this for Fall. Well, unless you’ve got your own seamstress, deconstruct vintage on a daily basis, or can afford couture.

Just before London Design Festival, London’s most iconic buildings and businesses open their doors to the public. For most, it’s architects and designers cramming in line to get their one time view of a building left only to be exposed in photos. We headed off to a favorite first- the Lloyd’s Building.

Then, after much time spent in awe at the shined surfaces, overly extravagant Adam Room built under its own roof, glass elevators, and illuminated escalators- we ended up at City Hall.

Prancing about in suede heels, I tried to avoid the unexpected rain whilst crossing London Bridge. We made it (luckily somewhat dry) into City Hall as the last group, and then stayed till closing. The view from the top isn’t the best from Southbank, but it’s still worth the experience.

If you’d like to visit a handful next year, make sure to bookmark OpenHouse London, and stay tuned…