The thinking skill for project two is perspective.
For my second project, I collaborated with Peyton.
For my second project, I collaborated with Peyton.
What is Harajuku?
The name Harajuku originates to a train station in Japan. Boutiques and trendy clothing surround the statition, making it a popular place. The Harajuku we focused on was the fashion. There are different types of ways to dress in Harajuku, lolita, decora, kei, and much more! The reason it was created and popularized was to rebel against the social normalities of Japan. When in public, the goal is to stay with the crowd and keep your head down. With Harajuku, it's the opposite. Most outfits consist of eye catching colors and elaborate accessories.
-Art-
Our original idea was to make an outfit that was half and half. One side would be gothic and the other half would be a lolita (cute) style. As, we did more research and discussed this idea, we realized the plan would be difficult with our mediocre skill in sewing.
The next idea was to make/ buy a bomber jacket and build off of it. This didn't work out due to the prices of the type of jacket and the time it would be delivered to the school. We bought a wig earlier that week, thinking we weren't going to use it. Then, we agreed upon making concept art of a outfit that screams "Harajuku." We were disappointed our project would come to just only drawings instead of an elaborate idea.
We had one week until the project was due, and I had an idea. I was going through my closet that morning, trying to pick out clothes for the day, when I saw a tutu I made for a birthday party. I called Peyton up and told her about the skirt and if I asked if I should bring it. She said "Why not?" I rushed around, trying to find cutesy accessories before I was late for the bus. When I arrived at school, I showed up with a pink tutu, an apron, leg warmers, and a flower crown. Luck was on our side because the wig arrived at Peyton's house that morning.
Surprisingly, Mr. Wimmer brought his camera and he allowed us to use it. All day we used the camera. We ended up taking 75 pictures. Here are the ones we kept:
The next idea was to make/ buy a bomber jacket and build off of it. This didn't work out due to the prices of the type of jacket and the time it would be delivered to the school. We bought a wig earlier that week, thinking we weren't going to use it. Then, we agreed upon making concept art of a outfit that screams "Harajuku." We were disappointed our project would come to just only drawings instead of an elaborate idea.
We had one week until the project was due, and I had an idea. I was going through my closet that morning, trying to pick out clothes for the day, when I saw a tutu I made for a birthday party. I called Peyton up and told her about the skirt and if I asked if I should bring it. She said "Why not?" I rushed around, trying to find cutesy accessories before I was late for the bus. When I arrived at school, I showed up with a pink tutu, an apron, leg warmers, and a flower crown. Luck was on our side because the wig arrived at Peyton's house that morning.
Surprisingly, Mr. Wimmer brought his camera and he allowed us to use it. All day we used the camera. We ended up taking 75 pictures. Here are the ones we kept:
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Over the weekend, we went on a shopping spree. We ended up buying bracelets, bows, fabric paint, and a sweater.
We used fabric paint on an old pair of converse shoes. Here is the process:
We used fabric paint on an old pair of converse shoes. Here is the process:
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Here are the final photos:
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The process of the makeup, and outfit:
-History-
At first, we struggled coming up with an idea for our history portion. A couple of meetings with Mr. Wimmer, and pulling teeth, we figured out an idea. When I did some minor research, I remembered reading about a magazine that popularized Harajuku fashion. The magazine company was called FRUiTS. The pages showcased people dressed in Harajuku. It inspired others to express themselves in this way of fashion and change the way they present themselves in public.
The history portion, we decided to make a magazine all about modern Harajuku. We based the articles on teen magazines, and "The Rolling Stone." The perspective of the magazines are trendy teens. Peyton took control of the building the articles, while I provided the content and some pictures.
The magazine includes a top 5 of Harajuku dressers, 5 steps to dress, interviews, and more.
The history portion, we decided to make a magazine all about modern Harajuku. We based the articles on teen magazines, and "The Rolling Stone." The perspective of the magazines are trendy teens. Peyton took control of the building the articles, while I provided the content and some pictures.
The magazine includes a top 5 of Harajuku dressers, 5 steps to dress, interviews, and more.
-English-
"How about we make a wiki how about 'How to Dress in Harajuku?' That was our first idea.
The problem with the idea was we didn't have a clear image of our art portion, and we wanted to use our own pictures. We met with Mrs. Goodrich and she suggested that we wrote flash fictions in the perspectives of a Harajuku dresser, a mother, and a photographer.
The flash fictions:
Putting My Skin Back On
(Harajuku Dresser)
The last bell of the school week rings. Finally, it’s the weekend. I sprint past the crowd and arrive home. The “normal me” is off and my regular skin is back on. I check the mirror to check up on my outfit one last time. My glittery jacket catches light and twinkles brightly. The pastel colored tights stretch over my legs and trail up to my satin bubble skirt. I’m finally ready to go.
I Raised A Troubled Child
(Mother of a Harajuku dresser)
I worry about my child. What parent doesn’t? She tells me that she doesn’t fit in at school. I tell my friends to have their children make friends with my daughter. They tell me that my daughter pushes them away. Recently, she has been hanging out with friends on the weekends, but I don’t know them well. I think they are a part of a gang. She goes out with them, and they dress in these bright and colorful clothes. She looks absolutely ridiculous.
They hang out around the Harajuku station. It might be their meeting spot to do illegal things. I’m worried that my child might be a criminal.
Lost Souls In Crowded Rooms
(Photographer)
You can see it in their eyes. The ones who don’t belong. They look up constantly. The bright colors and happy expressions I record, intrigue them. I feel bad for these lost souls. They want to belong somewhere; they’re tired of standing alone in crowded rooms.
My job is to guide these souls to a place they fit. I encourage others to take part in the sub-cultures in Harajuku. Fashion is a way to express yourself. The pictures I take capture the confidence of the men and women shown.
I feel responsible to help people find themselves in Harajuku. Anyone at any age can participate. I love seeing children partake in the fashion. Children will know where they belong at a young age.
I don’t plan on quitting my job anytime soon. No one is as passionate as I am for bringing light to Harajuku.
Creating these fictions was fun! Putting myself in other's shoes to write was a great way to show perspective in the english subject. My favorite flash fiction I wrote would be "Lost Souls In Crowded Rooms." The reason this is my favorite is because, during this project, I realized my normal outfits don't match who I am on the inside. Just like the story, I encourage others and myself to express themselves through clothing. Now, I make sure to present my personalities and my interests in the way I wear my clothes.
-After Thoughts-
This project was very fun to make. I leaned quite a lot of Japanese culture and the way it has an effect on fashion. I also learned the struggles and the benefits of a Harajuku dresser. This project has affected me on a personal level. I never had a project that changed the way I express myself like this one.
Annotated Bibliography:
annotated_bib._project_2_mbenson.pdf | |
File Size: | 86 kb |
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