Tokyo Inspirations – Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium

On By

Tokyo Inspirations Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium tokyo architecture

One of the most inspiring things about living in Tokyo is the constant aspiration that surrounds you.  Pick up any fashion magazine and it will tell you how to dress better, eat better, style your hair better, be better, cram more into your day, learn more, and not to be ashamed of trying to be better.  It is an idea that is at the heart of character of the city and whether it manifests itself in extreme creativity or middle-aged men burning themselves out at their desks, there is something noble about it.  For me, the building that embodies this idea is the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium that I end up speeding through at around 8:00AM every weekend.  Even at that early hour when admittedly most of the city is still snoozing, I am delighted to see people working out, playing tennis, etc, all bettering themselves amidst truly aspirational architecture.

Tokyo Inspirations Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium 2 tokyo architecture

The architect in question is the futurist Fumihiko Maki, and in his soaring lines, vents and speeding chevrons you feel like you could do anything.

CLICK TO SEE MORE

Fashion Philosophy

On By

The longer I spend here in Tokyo, the more free I feel. I love this city so much, and it’s having an even greater impact on my own personal style. I think that previously I’ve been quite concerned about looking professional, but there’s just something about spring and summer – change is in the air, and in my head and heart.

A new wardrobe movement: I want to wear clothes that make me smile.

With this in mind, a very quick selection of things currently making me happy just to look at:

i am i franche lippee

(pirates from Franche Lippee)

i am i franche lippee

(shirt from i am i, available at Hole)

i am i franche lippee

(cat shoes!!!, as above… sold out in my size of course)

Hello Tokyo!

On By

photography

Just a quick couple of shots from our instagram feed (tokyotelephone) this past week – it’s made me realise how far mobile phone camera technology has come! I remember my first old brick of a mobile, no phonebook memory and of course no camera… and now we’re able to easily take fun shots of our time out and about in Tokyo. Awesome.

(Above: lilac roses blooming in Yoyogi park. Below: temple near Akihabara)

photography

The Pumpkins are Smashing!

On By

smashing pumpkins

No matter what happens, I always come back to Smashing Pumpkins.

I’m guessing a gig in Tokyo playing the whole of Mellon Collie with the original band line-up is a little too much to ask for? Well, a girl can dream!

Rune Naito – Roots of Kawaii at Shibuya Parco

On By

Rune Naito Roots of Kawaii at Shibuya Parco shibuya kawaii art

We popped along to the Roots of Kawaii exhibition at Shibuya Parco last week, and it’s well worth a visit for anyone interested in the formative years of doe-eyed girls and dreamy hunks.

Running from the 17th May to the 4th June (costing Y500 for entry), it’s a retrospective look at one of the most influential Japanese illustrators, Rune Naito. Working since the 1950s and achieving fame in the 70s with the undeniably cute Rune Panda, his artwork has been consistently celebrated since his death in 2007. This is a lovely exhibition that places original designs in brightly coloured rooms that focus on key themes, and you’ll be sure to come away feeling inspired!

shibuya kawaii art

(Parco exhibition website)

The Oddest Things from the Oddest Places

On By

There are certain things that I even though I have an affinity for I have always ruled out of my wardrobe for either their absolute bad taste or for the price tag.  The notion of a literal “snake belt” manages to fall neatly into both of those categories, but when Hideaki Shikama (the man behind Gypsy Three Orchestra, Children of Discordance and fellow Change Fashion blogger) offers to sell you a brand new one for 1000 yen, what is a man to do?

As belts go it is absolutely perfect, the leather is pristine and correctly placed on both sides of the belt so the belly of the snake is on the bottom, and the snakes head is as subtle as it can be.  Is it in awful taste – yes.  But there is something beguiling about it, and as exotic leathers become more and more mainstream and prized, a good reminder of what you are actually wearing.

Snake Belt tokyo shopping markets

I think I might have to think of a name for him…

Snake Belt 2 tokyo shopping markets

A Little Bit of London in Tokyo

On By

A Little Bit of London in Tokyo 1 shopping shinjuku lumine london

Would you call me an awful traitor if I admitted that I never feel a shred of homesickness for the UK these days?  Thanks to the recent appearance of Morrissey in Tokyo (where I ended up seeing him twice), there is very little that I feel I am missing out on.  Back when I first came to Japan I did remember missing English humour, and to fix that problem ended up picking up the entirety of Red Dwarf on VHS for 10 yen a shot from the noble Book Off.  Thanks to the wonder of the internet even that is no longer an issue, and given that the country is run by a certain C these days I can honestly respond “no” to my Japanese friends asking me if I regret missing out on the olympics.

But even having said that all that, when I strut through Shinjuku station and see that the UK can still command a pop-up shop in the heart of Tokyo I am vaguely proud, in the same way as I am of our history in the formative years of underground fashion.  But its, and my future is in Tokyo.

A Little Bit of London in Tokyo 2 shopping shinjuku lumine london

If you fancy a bit of London in Tokyo, this is in B1 Lumine Est, Shinjuku station and is brought to you by Plaza.

Fun in the Sun at Koenji Festival April 2012

On By

One weekend last month, there I was trying to get some work done when it became apparent that the whole of Koenji was alive with a festival.  The lure of what sounded like an entire brass band (but turned out to be a very loud lone trumpeter), eventually turfed me out and away from my desk – and I don’t regret it one bit.

Fun in the Sun at Koenji Festival April 2012 koenji festival

I must confess that I am not usually one for street entertainment, but sometimes when the sun is out and the beer is flowing there is nothing I would rather do than watch someone spinning a tea-cup on an umbrella.

Fun in the Sun at Koenji Festival April 2012 2 koenji festival

As well as the street festival there was also an art market with some surprisingly good items on display.  There was a chap hand-making pens from brass and ebony, sterling silver jewelry with price tags that exceeded monthly salaries, all next to kids toys for 100 yen.  I am constantly amazed by the ability of Tokyo to provide sheer quality wherever you go, and even in this one market there was a month’s worth of designers I could feature over on Tokyo Telephone.

CLICK TO SEE MORE

Page 5 of 8« First...34567...Last »