maiko. (
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When most of us think of "vintage" Japan, the image of a geisha usually comes to mind. I don't know if I watched "My Geisha" one too many times (
Shirley Maclaine is my spirit animal
) or what, but I always picture 1950's-70's Japan as this sort of technicolor burst of postcards of shrines and local attractions. I think of airlines, Godzilla, and probably most of the stereotypical tourist traps you would think of. But the Japanese culture is incredibly fascinating, and the lovingly kitschy quality is not lost on me. I'm very fond of Metabolist architecture, of mod fashion (they did it better, honestly), and just the genuine spirit that seemed to be in the air during the time after the war. I've always held a fascination and the deepest respect for the culture and people. Both have proved to be a great inspiration throughout my life and continue to see new life in various projects and designs I work on. So, to fully disclose my full admiration of that nostalgia, here is a top ten list of why 60's
Japan Modern
was the best time ever for fashion design:
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1. They Had the Ultimate Camera Fashion
I can't even begin to describe to you how amazing and fun the cameras were created during this time. Not only did they have all sorts of neat gadgets, but they were colorful, usually made of plastic or a similar material, and worked as the perfect (effortless) fashion statement. Instant cool points just for rocking that powder blue Minolta.
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2. They Made Minimalism Colorful + Chic
While we Americans were rocking paisley sheaths, they were inventing minimalism in a new and colorful way.
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3. They Totally Knew Their Pattern-to-Solid Ratio
Even with patterns, they managed to make everything look flawless and feminine.
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4. They Made These Incredibly Popular
Does this even need an explanation? These suitcases RULED and still do today.
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5. Even Into the Late 60's, They Still Broke the Mold
Even when emphasis shifted to patterns, they still made awesome clothing and played around with different structures and textures.
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6. They Styled the World's Cutest Uniforms (and still do)
AIRLINES. When I think of 1960's stewardesses, their signature minimal mod style comes to mind. They paved the way for all other stylish industry uniforms, in my opinion.
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7. They Made Everything Kawaii
I'm pretty sure they even invented kittens. Everything they produced had some level of cute yet proper.
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8. They Made Us Want to Wear Knee Socks
I never was a huge fan of knee socks and mary janes. When I saw pictures like this, however, I wanted like twenty pairs of them.
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9. They Had the Best Sewing Patterns EVER
Hands down, the most beautiful shift dresses I have ever seen. Come to think of it, they invented so many neat fabrics during that time, too.
