NHK Mascot and Internet sensation DOMO-KUN is our newest addition to the all-star guest-list at this summer’s HYPER JAPAN!
A star of videogames, comics, and of course television, Domo-Kun is an international superstar. A shining example of a quirky, Kawaii design where his monster-like appearance hides a gentle soul, his appeal is universal and we’re glad to welcome him to HYPER JAPAN 2014!
We can now confirm the list of ASOBISYSTEM models and artists who’ll be attending as part of HYPER KAWAii!! this summer! As well as returning HYPER JAPAN favourite Yun*chi, Anime & Manga fans in particular may recognise Nagi Yanagi as the singer of several theme songs, such as the endings for Jormungand and Black Bullet.
Nagi Yanagi
Ayumi Seto
POCHI
Anna Yano
Yura
Kozue Ozawa
Neeko
Yun*chi
EVA
Emma Tanioku
Eri Tanioku
It’s not just Kawaii cool we’ve got for fashion and design goods at HYPER JAPAN, contemporary spins on traditional goods can be found among our exhibitors too.
You may not know Keiko Uchida‘s name, but you’ve likely seen her work; coming from a lineage of Japanese design, she’s the mind behind a number of Muji’s most popular designs of the past few decades and will be with us in July.
Aoi Clothing are a France-based store selling a selection of contemporary, Japanese-inspired designs. No need to mess with the hassle of international shopping (or learning French) as they’ll be bringing their wares to HYPER JAPAN this summer!
Fuji Kimono will be bringing a fine range of vintage kimono from Japan to our event, all hand-picked to represent something a little different than what people might expect from kimono patterns.
All these and more will be at HYPER JAPAN 2014 this summer for you to peruse, ponder, and purchase!
We’re very excited that Dreamy Bows is returning to HYPER JAPAN this year, after a successful launch at last year’s event. Dreamy Bows is a UK-based shop specialising in a range of cute Japanese street fashion styles including lolita, gyaru, Harajuku, hime kei, fairy kei and casual kawaii. Their aim is to spread style inspiration by offering J-fashion followers in Europe a wide selection of unique and hard-to-find Japanese fashion and beauty items, without the fees and shipping issues associated with buying straight from Japan.
Dreamy Bows are very excited to be the official UK and Europe retailer for the iconic sweet lolita brand Angelic Pretty. They also stock sweet pastel accessories and jewellery brand Chocomint, shoes from Dream V, cosmetics and false lashes from Japanese brands, and their own affordable ranges of accessories, wigs, handbags and deco nails. Plus, look out for exciting new brands to be announced in the next few months before HYPER JAPAN.
Dreamy Bows offers every component needed to put together a full J-fashion look, from the shoes to the clothing to the wig to the accessories, and even the make-up! As the popularity of J-fashion grows in the UK, elements of the styles have begun to creep into our high street shops. However it is still very diluted and watered down compared with full-on styles such as fairy kei, lolita and hime gyaru – Dreamy Bows wants to spread more of this creativity and uniqueness to the UK!
If you can’t wait until HYPER JAPAN to add to your cute fashion wardrobe, you can check out their full range on their website.
Bigger and better than before, this year we have an entire HYPER KAWAii!! area dedicated to the best of Japanese street fashion!
“Kawaii” is a word with wide and varied meaning! In modern Japanese, the word kawaii means “cute,” “adorable,” or “loveable,” with undertones of a certain innocence, but kawaii as a concept is much broader than the English word “cute” suggests; it’s been said that the definition of kawaii has grown as other desirable attributes have become “kawaii” by extension.
In the context of Japanese street fashion, it has come to encompass the terms “cool,” “stylish,” and “lovely,” and is an all-purpose compliment about someone’s style or appearance. Here at HYPER JAPAN we like to think of “kawaii” fashion as being any kind of alternative look that’s Cool, Creative, Cute and Crazy!
Harajuku Kawaii!! is the name of ASOBISYSTEM’s fashion projects and cultural events, drawn from the best of Tokyo’s street styles. Named for the district of Tokyo which is the centre of their street fashion culture, Harajuku Kawaii!! is going on a world tour in 2014, starting with HYPER JAPAN in London!
ASOBISYSTEM-affiliated Kyary Pamyu Pamyu is an official “Harajuku Kawaii Ambassador,” a former-blogger turned Youtube star and professional fashion model for Harajuku magazines. Referred to as “Japan’s Lady Gaga,” Kyary is the subject of much media coverage.
The “Harajuku Kawaii!!” show, huge in Japan, is now touring all over the world; This time brings it to the UK, at HYPER JAPAN 2014!
Our dynamic event will feature a number of popular Japanese models, and even our UK audience can join in as part of HYPER JAPAN x HARAJUKU KAWAii!! = HYPER KAWAii!!. There’ll be catwalk action and fashion shows running at all times throughout the whole of HYPER JAPAN in the HYPER KAWAii!! area. Will they feature Kimonos? Harajuku style? Stay tuned for announcements of what we’ll have on-stage at HYPER JAPAN 2014’s HYPER KAWAii!! to find out!
HYPER JAPAN 2014’s HYPER KAWAii!! area will be jam-packed with all the stalls, areas and shows that you’ve come to expect, dedicated to one of Japan’s most exciting exports: amazing, inspiring, fun and colourful street fashion.
Dress up in your finest and join the party, including:
We’re looking for people who want to gather together and join the Harajuku Kawaii action now! Staff who’ve worked on multitudes of fashion shows in Japan can bring out your inner Harajuku girl.
This is your chance to try not only real Japanese Kimono but real casual Harajuku and kawaii fashions, in the UK! You can co-star and perform alongside Harajuku models from Japan.
For more info, keep checking for updates to our website. More details as they’re confirmed!
See also:
Tokyo Style Transformation Area
HYPER JAPAN Christmas Market will be bursting at the seams with activities, food and drink, and shows, as well as totally unique shopping opportunities!
Whether you are interested in acquiring a delicate piece of traditional art, or grabbing some Tokyo street fashion inspired fluoro accessories, you’ll find it at our HYPER JAPAN Christmas Market. There are goods on offer to suit any taste, ranging from bargain kawaii accessories and toys to premium sake and stylishly presented Japanese sweets. We have a mind boggling range of unusual Japanese snacks, as well as art works, traditional crafts like Tokimeki brushes, exquisite ceramics and tableware pieces for the more discerning customer. There will also be artists both from Japan and Japanese-inspired with prints and artbooks full of their work for you to peruse. Kimono and Japanese gifts such as fans and statues rub shoulders with authentic Japanese cooking utensils, prop versions of anime/game character accessories, precision-engineered bonsai tools, and more!
Whether you are shopping for a gourmet lover, manga maniac, or budding fashionista, you’re sure to find something special. Here’s a preview of what’s in store for eager Olympia Christmas shoppers!
