Japanese Schoolgirl Inferno

5-1/2 x 7-1/2 in; 144 pp ; two 8-page gatefolds, 150 full-color photographs and illustrations
Paperback
Published in April, 2007
ISBN 0811856909
ISBN13 9780811856904

$16.95  

Japanese Schoolgirl Inferno -- Japanese schoolgirl fashions and subcultures have sprung up, burned out, mutated, and evolved into a pop culture phenomenon gone global—from Gwen Stefani's "Harajuku Girls" to Gothic Lolita-fueled manga and the deadly schoolgirl in Kill Bill, it's no wonder that international fashion designers look to the streets of Tokyo for fresh inspiration. This playful and thoroughly researched handbook examines the key styles and subcultures past and present: sailor-suited gangsters, Pippi Longstockings risen from the dead, girls in blackface, teens sporting giant hamster costumes, and more. Each fashion profile is packed with photos and illustrations, history, ideal boyfriends, and must-have items. Also included are a gatefold evolutionary fashion chart, resources, and makeup tips. At last, an in-depth guide to what the girls are wearing—and why on earth they're wearing it.

Patrick Macias and Izumi Evers have written and produced several books on Japanese pop culture. They split their time between San Francisco and Tokyo.

Kazumi Nonaka is an artist and rock 'n' roll guitarist whose illustrations have been featured in Japanese magazines and TV shows. She lives in Tokyo.

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Delightful Decoding of Japanese Teen Style!

2008-01-01 | 10:10 PM | Deb Aoki

I picked up this book on a whim, and it quickly became *the* book that got all my guests talking once they picked it up off my coffee table. I've since had to buy 3 copies to give them as gifts because it's just that much fun. Explains the history of Japanese teen fashion trends in a fun, engaging and informative way -- now we're not just gawking at their clothing, we can actually figure out the rationale for ganguro tans, parapara dancing and many other "only in Japan" phenomena.