Week 7 - Narayann

Pryanka Narayan

ASA 141

Week 7                       

            The article Kawamura Japanese Teens as Producers of Street Fashion is a highly intriguing article as it demonstrated how large the concept of fashion is in Japan. For instance, the article states how Japan is a unique country that can start trends that can spread universally, such as loose white socks.  This trend started with young Japanese schoolgirls and then spread like wildfire across the nation. The article also discusses how some fashion has a direct correlation with teenage consumers. For example, something as minimal as the cashier position in America is a highly competitive job in Japan. Many of the women who are hired as a cashier position are often seen as trend starters, and consumers who come into the store try to copy the exact outfit as the cashier. In certain cases, many cashiers will even be asked to become designers based on their fashion. Kawaii is also discussed, as it is a word that describes Japanese fashion in terms of being trendy and cute. Personally, I really enjoyed reading this article, as I have always heard my friends use the term kawaii but never really knew what it meant. I completely can agree that Japan does start on many trends. The concept of anime is huge in America, and I have seen many people, especially my best friend spends a lot of money to represent anime characters. I find the power Japan holds in terms of fashion to be highly intriguing, as I can’t think of any other country that has such a universal impact on fashion.