Pretty in print

 It’s evident that graphic Prints were a memorable trend this Spring 2013, as eloquently seen by Rebecca Minkoff and Derek Lam on the Runway. We loved the way this girl styled a combination of printed clothing, who says you can’t look colourful yet simple on the high street; pairing a dull set of floral printed leggings and an eye catching Aztec denim shirt. And the element that brightens up the whole outfit is the tie-dyed bright bag.

Unfortunately due to the girl being in a rush we didn’t take note of where the pieces of clothing were bought from.

Classic Lolita!

Whilst walking past the streets on Chinatown it was impossible to overlook such a distinct unusual style in the prevailing crowd. We took notice of a very decorated girl walking by us, this style that this fashionable young lady attires fits into ‘Lolita’… now that may be very familiar to some people who are aware of Japanese fashion, but may seem unusual to others. Lolita fashion; dominating Japan for a long time now is an intense fashion style but also representative a subculture for some, it’s a style that emphasizes the material and shape of a Victorian style garment. Depicting a fashion sense in which you alter the style and eminence to embody your personality and strong sense of style, the origins for Lolita come from many different elements. And so link to eras such as late Victorian of the 1800s and the early birth of gothic influence in Victorian fashion in the 1830's, where the classic dress styles highlighted being an upper class lady in the society of the time of which emphasized their sophistication, class, and power and so, just clarifies how much of a detailed and elegant style it is to wear. There are several types of Lolita that exist; Sweet, Classic, Goth, Punk and subcategories within those. The start of Lolita (Inspired by many movements from 1800-1900) came about in 1970 in Japan with the debut of a brand called ‘Angelic Pretty’ as through 2000 the style popularised and still holds its popularity to this day. Now shadowing globally in other countries especially European cites, it is now apparent on the streets of London.

Dress from Camden Market

Not just replicating the 1800's Victorian fashion, Lolita in itself as a style includes modern elements, being a complex style to explain a few things that differentiate it from the traditional Victorian is the softness of the look. dresses in the Victorian era where extremely structured in body and fitting, with high waist lines to emphasize the hour glass figure , here the girl bellow proves to add her own personality and technique of Lolita as she wears a double layered frill dress. The thin and subtle lace and frills add gentleness to her look. The high neck line adds elements of the Georgian era garments, and the pleats and peti-coated bottom give it a less strong shape yet a lovely form of the garment. The girl bellow here really adds more depth to her style and chooses to coordinate her outfit in a cute and sophisticated manner, which is why we like to say.. every Lolita is different.

 

Necklace: Handmade store in Camden Market

Bracelet: Forever21

Shoes: unnamed store (Camden Market)

Lucy

Ever since the 1970's Camden Town has been a centre of alternative culture, and later with the dominance of Punk and Goth subcultures. So finding stylish people emphasizing their alterative styles isn’t unusual here. Meet Lucy, we took an eye for her take on punk. It may not be extreme, but as a casual outfit she certainly captured the main elements of this style.

 

Jacket: H&M (Germany store)

Tarten Trousers: Camden Market 

Glasses: Cyber Dog

 

Bag: American Apparel 

 Hat: Camden Market

Jewlery
Spiked Braclett: Camden Market
Ring on right: H&M
Ring on right: Camden Market

Min and Joom

Meet Min and Joom, who we noticed and snapped on Tottenham Court Road. They are both big fans of Korean vintage clothing, talking about arriving from a recent trip from Korea, it seems that vintage stores are definitely beginning to dominate fashion both here and over in Korea!

 
Joom
Necklace: Korean vintage store
Jacket: Cheap Monday
Dress: Topshop
Chocker: American Apparel

 

Min
All Vintage

Camden Town.

This stylish girl we bumped into today in camden town told us a bit about her outfit. Orginally from Australia, she uses a unique mix of British, American and Vintage Australian brands to get her edgy look.

 

Ombre Draped Shawl: Freak Of Nature 
Crop Top: Topshop
Glasses: Urban outfitters 
Shorts: Topshop
Shoes Australian Vinatge Store
Handbag: Colette 

Jewlery;
Ruby ring on right hand : Topshop
Both ring pieces on left hand: Novo and American Apparel

Welcome to London Harajuku.

Hello humans of the earth!
London Harajuku is a blog starting soon; can you guess what it’s about?

A blog about fashion in London that links to Harajuku styles you say? How did you guess?!
This blog will feature snaps of street style straight from the streets of London; all the alternative and modern. We will be lurking around the streets of London trying to find the craziest unique styles we can. We will cover everything that comes into the street fashion category from Punk Lolita and Visual Kei to Hip Hop and Gothic styles; ultimately anything that looks out of the ordinary and doesn’t fit into the little bubble called 'normal fashion.'
With the influence of Japanese fashion, and with London forming its own distinct street style that is now recognisable globally. We will not only review the fashionable crazy population of London and the rest of the UK but we will be informing you about current street trends, reviews of stores in London that we think form our own British version of 'Laforet Harajuku'.

We will be looking and analysing different sub-cultures and fashion movements in London; style is unique, personal, it symbolises a persona; a person. It makes you different and defines you and we're going out to find all the different styles in the pluralist streets of London, we will travel to every corner to discover the coolest people and most extraordinary styles.

We also want to be very interactive with our readers and give them the chance to send in submissions of their own style! With the comments on what you're wearing and your own feedback on your style we would love to see just how different and 'Harajuku' you are. Don't be afraid to be different; embrace who you are and would love to be. Because in the end its the unique people in the world who make a difference.