Modern Kimono

Modern Kimono or lingerie type of Kimono was the controversy that was caused by Japan’s representative for the Ms Universe Pageant.   Representing the national costume in leather - one would have thought Ms Emiri Miyasaka was representing an anti aging product instead eh.

The costume was designed by Yoshiyuki Ogata, the designer/owner of the designer brand “Yoshiyuki.”

Kimonos are supposed to be the symbol of the “Modest Japanese Woman.” But ,this is reminiscent of the costumes worn by the girls from “Soap Land” in Yoshiwara. Yoshiyuki Ogata has gotten more than 1000 protests over this all leather kimono costume and is albeit reveling in the publicity. The biggest complaint comes from the company in Ginza that donated the “obi” belt for the kimono without knowing the designer’s full intentions.

Munny In MoMa Design Store Japan

Moma opened it’s first store in Harajuku in November 2007, pretty fanciful if you asked me - like these munny - that came out on exhibit.

MoMA Design Store
5-10-1 GYRE 3F
Jingumae Shibuya Tokyo

Tory Burch In Japan

Tory Burch is no stranger to most of us .. and for those who have been fans of Tory Burch, well, you and i know that we have our favorites.. and we just loved .. those must haves.  And to have one of their flagship shops.. right in the middle of Tokyo..  it’s awesome for the Japanese of course..! like having  discount cigars and i know how much they are loved by the Japanese businessmen.

Located in the Ginza district of Tokyo. The flagship store is 237 square meters and has two levels featuring the entire collection of Tory Burch goods including complete collections of ready-to-wear, shoes, handbags, small leather goods and accessories. The boutique will have its official grand opening celebration later this month, but right now the store is open to shoppers.

Tory Burch Japan
Fuji Konishi building 1-2F
5-5-18 in Ginza
Chuo-ku, Tokyo

Only For Girls

When i was in Japan.. some nice admin assistant showed me this only only for girls website for just about anything cute.  Whether you need a snack or some sweets .. and cosmietic and just about any kind of music, you can find it online on It’s Demo website.  Shopping online is so addictive, luckily i didn’t get as bad as those who have had the glucomannan side effects .  Many japanese girls cannot live without them.. and visit them on a daily basis.  This online store boast of knowing the ladies very well.. and they captured my heart as well, in fact i bought some cute stuff from them too. See those lovely food trinket.. that one can carry them with your keychain..?? i bought quite a few for souvenirs.

Eyelash Essence

You think you’ve had it all .. the moisturizer, the perfume.. and anything wierd.. you can definitely find in Japan.. but t his new eyelash essence which is supposed to make your eyelash strong.. and thicker.. definitely tops it all and a lot cheaper than buy breeches for my kids.

This is a Japanese product from the cosmetics company Canmake Tokyo. Since I do not read Japanese, I don’t know what’s in this product. However, after searching Google for the ingredients, several sites have listed the main ones as being Panthenol and Lavender. Another Google search reveals that Panthenol is basically a moisturizer, and it’s used in mascaras and other eyelash treatments, along with hair shampoo and conditioner.  At $13 .. it’s not a bad buy!

Crazy About Hello Kitty

If you are like the japanese friends that i know.. you would love this handbag by hello kitty.  Super cute.. and at $60 .. but it’s not real leather .. but looks like it.  You don’t have to go to Japan for it now.. there is a shop in LA .. that sells all sorts of Hello Kitty stuff.. and cuties.

Beauty School In Japan

Handsome eh..?? but that is Tony Tanaka io heard..! so if he looked so handsome in his front poster at his beauty school.. that must say something about his school right..??  Well, a Japanese friend of mine told me this beauty school kicks ass..  :)   Someone check it out .. and let me know.

Japanese Fashion

To say that the Japanese gals are fashionable is really an understatement.  The Japanese gals are way ahead when it comes to fashion.  Even in the cold winter.. while I am looking frumpy in my huge warm coat.. they can be out wearing fashionable mini-skirt.. and boots.  How they do it..?? i don’t know.  Are they freezing..?? lets find out.

Around Shibuya and Harajuku in Tokyo, a growing number of young women in their teens and twenties are wearing mini skirts and shorts. Though normally about half of all women wear pants in freezing winter, this year it seems that around 50% of women in these areas are wearing skirts, with a further 30% wearing shorts and just 20% wearing pants. Skirts and shorts are winning hands-down. Hemlines, meanwhile, are short; micro skirts that rise 20 or 30 centimeters above the knees and ultra-short hot pants are not uncommon.

Fashionable Japanese Without The Kimono

Some ppl still thinks that the women folks in Japan wears Kimono .. lol.  Not exactly true.. but they do wear them on special occasions like going to the temple, New Year’s day .. and weddings or an important office function.   The Japanese are very fashionable ppl and their designers are very artistic and meticulate.  From home designs and furnishing, from area rugs to tea sets - every detailed in a fashion show like the ones that they have once a year is awesome.

Unfortunately, unlike the ones in Milan and Paris, they do not get as much recognition or as much buzz for all their effort.  Truth be told.. the Japanese designers are pretty awesome.. if you asked me. I also heard that there were quite a few first time participants .. that had pretty designers on this year’s fashion week.   I didn’t get an invitation this year.. maybe because i haven’t gone for the last few ones.  But many years ago, when I was working for the hotel industry .. my boss always gets invited.. and since his wife wasn’t in town, i get to go with him.  I enjoyed every moment of it.  So glamour..!!! but sure made me feel a little bit shy.. when you are standing besides some fabulous looking model eh.

The Art Of Japanese Tattoos

The Japanese are very artistic ppl .. not only are they particular about the kind of tattoos they put on .. they are into the traditional kind of tattoo and in fact, they are gaining lots of interest of late.  These traditonal tattoos are not done by just any tattooists but traditional irezumi is done by only the specialist.   The reason behind it is because they are so detailed, they not only are expensive by time consuming and very intensive. While some may think covering the whole body like them is not their taste, the japanese who does this traditional kind of suit that covers not only the back but the arm and the chest can take up to 5 yrs of work - but only once a week visit, since you can imagine, how painful it can be.  And the total cost ..?? is as much ast US $30,000.  But personally, if i were to have any tattoos done, i would rather do something that means something.

Yes.. even ladies do these traditional tattoos