Posts with tag Tokyo

Isn't it time that underwear technology caught up with our hectic, water-conscious lifestyles? A Japanese astronaut is testing a pair of high tech skivvies that fight odor for more than a week between washes. Koichi Wakata will be the first Japanese astronaut to live on the International Space Station. He's also the first to test out J-ware -- a line of clothing developed by Japan Women's University to "kill bacteria, absorb water, insulate the body and dry quickly."

According to Angelina Jolie, gray is the new black; comfort is the new glamour; and minimalistic is the new gaudy. And we for one like change.

Who knows why Brad had a dirty face -- from kids to Angie kisses, the possibilities are endless. But we love how he got his smudgy little cheeks so lovingly cleaned for the cameras at last week's Japanese premiere of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

Angie used the good old lick-your-finger method for cleansing her husband's grimy mug -- how sweet! Of course some tongue action would've been more entertaining, but it's nice to see the parents of six exercise some restraint.

The question is: Ladies, would you do this for your man in public?

If you've never heard of Tokyoflash, it's definitely time for you to get acquainted -- because they consistently churn out some of the most cutting-edge watch designs that we've seen. Their latest contribution to world of geek chic timepieces, the Kisai Keisan, is yet another striking piece of futuristic wrist bling. Only a watch so amazingly cool-looking could ask its wearer to actually do math just to find out what time it is.

Last time we checked, the economy was tanking and Louis Vuitton was forced to scrap it's ambitious plans for the new year. Then they go do something like this -- and totally redeem themselves. This $8,250 skateboard is part of the "Stephen Sprouse Collection" and it comes with a classic LV embossed case. That's what ... about $200 per kickflip?

For a few months, it looked like the luxury brands would somehow escape the economic fallout plaguing the lower classes. Chanel was pumping out its usual flow of outrageously-priced items like the $18K fly fishing rod, and LVMH was busy buying a yacht building company like everything was just peachy keen. Now, after months of worldwide financial hiccups convulsions, it looks like even the seemingly immune are having to eat some humble pie.

Sure, she won an Oscar for directing Lost in Translation, but can Sofia Coppola's celluloid skills translate into the world of fashion? Apparently, Louis Vuitton is willing to take the risk on her sartorial skills, they're letting her design a range of shoes and handbags that will be launched in Tokyo -- ironically the setting of her acclaimed film -- and the sold in luxury stores worldwide.

Of course, we already know that LV and the Coppolas are BFFs ever since Sofia and her father posed for Annie Leibovitz for LV's "core values" campaign. But that doesn't appear to be the only reason the French luxury designer tapped Sofia for the project. Apparently, Sofia has a background in fashion design that dates back to her pre-film days. After graduating from the California Institute of Arts, Coppola started her own clothing line named Milk fed, which, appropriately enough, is sold exclusively in Japan.

[via BlackBook]

We are big fans of all things ice cream and/or waffles. It's a guilty pleasure that we don't really feel all that guilty about.

That's why we were so excited to see Billionaire Boys Club sister brand Ice Cream, both part of Pharrell's master plan to take over the world, release the "Ice Cream Canvas Waffle Shoes" and "Ice Cream Waffle Messenger Bag." These things of ice cream and waffle won't make you fat, but they can make you phat. Yes, I really wrote that.

Have you ever had someone walk up to you on the street and ask you "hey, do you know what time it is in Tokyo?" Frankly, it's embarrassing to not know. It hurts to have to shake your head in shame and walk home wishing that you were more worldly. Well, now you can have the answers to all these questions and more -- while looking like a fashion guru at the same time.

This new watch by Diesel allows you to keep track of the space-time continuum in LA, New York, London, Paris and Tokyo. Plus, it might be the coolest leather-band watch design I've ever seen. The 6 watch faces give it a sophisticated 'I'm into design' look, but the rivets suggest a more balanced, rugged style.

Some might ask "Hey, what about me? I live in the Central Time Zone." The answer: in fashion, there is no Central Time Zone -- so deal with it.

Buy
[via GearCrave]

I recently stumbled across another website about Japanese street fashion and, out of my outrageously long list of bookmarks with the same topic, I must say this is my favorite so far. It's well organized, frequently updated, and there is a refreshingly low number of Gothic lolita outfits.

Although a lot of these ensembles require an absurd amount of boldness and confidence to carry, anyone can take a note or two and learn about experimental layering. Check out the guy in the upper-right photo. He's wearing a smart black jacket over a thin cardigan over an apron -- that's right, an industrial apron -- over a thin t-shirt. It shouldn't work, but somehow, it does. A lot of the pictures also come with some close-ups of accessories, which range from bizarre wristwatches to home-made bags to creative ear piercings. Seeing sites like this always inspire me to ransack my own wardrobe, mixing and matching in new, exciting ways. It makes me feel like I've spent a load of money buying new clothes when, really, all I've done is take what I already own and put it to a different use.

The whole website is in Japanese, but it's fairly easy to navigate. There are updates every week, so this site will never lose its cool.

If you're more interested in the streets of Helsinki than Tokyo, check out Hel-looks.

Traveling, while exhilarating, can be a challenge. As a tourist, you don't know exactly where you're going. You may or may not know the language. The food can look and taste kind of weird. It's almost enough to make you want to stay home -- but not quite.

For me, one of the best parts of traveling is the shopping. I don't even have to spend money -- there's just something thrilling about meandering around an unknown store in a foreign city. Of course, most of the time, I manage to find something that absolutely cannot live without -- a pair of shoes, usually. Sure, it might not be a visit to the Uffizi, but there is one thing that always feels familiar no matter what city or what time zone I'm in, and that's shopping.

After all, what would a vacation be without a couple of very special souvenirs to remind you of your adventures (and purchases) in a foreign land?

Of all of the cities in the world, London has to be my favorite. While you're there, you can see the British Museum and the Thames, but you can also check out the "less culturally signficant" department store, Harrods. And just down the street, there is celebrity favorite Top Shop with three levels of merchandise and shoes gorgeous enough to make even the stingiest person want to drop next month's rent on a pair of leather boots. For great home decor and lovely blouses cut from amazing cloth, you should check out Liberty of London on nearby Regent Street.


Milan might be the fashion capital of Italy, but the city is much better for window shopping than for actual shopping. It's common knowledge among Italians that Milan's designer shops have higher prices than the same stores outside of the city. So, unless Milan is your only stop and you absolutely *must* buy a Blumarine dress, you're better off just strolling through the Via Montenapoleone.








Sydney might not be the first city that comes to mind when you think of fashion capitals. But the Australian city has made considerable progress on the sartorial front in recent years. Like Paris, Milan or New York, anything that you would want to buy, you can get in Sydney. The shops are somewhat scattered, so don't plan on visiting the Queen Victoria Building with its 400 shops or Castlereagh Street with its pricey, designer boutiques on the very same day.



As the real and spiritual homeland for some of the 20th-century's best designers, Paris has much to offer the eager shopper. One of my favorite places to browse in Paris is La Samaritaine -- a wonderful, old department store with an amazing rooftop view. Unfortunately, it is currently closed for renovations. But don't be too disappointed, world travelers. After all, there is nothing shabby about being forced to look through the shops of tony French labels Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Yves St. Laurent. If you're looking for something younger, I highly recommend checking out one of the Kookai ready-to-wear stores.


Last but not least, there is there Japanese fashion metropolis, Tokyo. While living in Tokyo is "very, very* expensive, shopping in Tokyo is only *very* expensive. (cold comfort, I know.) But if money is no object, then Tokyo is the city to find some of the world's most exquisite and well-designed clothes, shoes and jewelry. Make sure that you factor in plenty of time for exploring the hip shops in the Shibuya and Harajuku neighborhoods. However, word of warning to any tall gals out there -- don't plan on finding a great pair of pants unless you like high-waters. Stores in Tokyo almost exclusively sell clothes cut for the petite frame.

It's not New York; It's not Milan; It's not Paris.

But you'd be foolish to say that Japan Fashion Week in Tokyo doesn't offer just as much for the sartorially-savvy as any of these other events. While the designers might not be the household names you're used to, the collections for the most part seem up to par with what you'd expect during an international fashion week.

One of my favorites collections so far is from Theatre Products. Designers Akira Takeuchi and Tayuka Nakanish created a playful, colorful, fantasy world using tiny dresses and jumpers made of light green, lavender and mimosa. The makeup and hair was a little on the odd side, however. Theatre Products' models sported bleached white hair and red eyes.