Yesterday, I kept noticing people’s shoes. Its hard not to do when sitting down among people who are standing up (when waiting for music to start that is). I actually had the fleeting and absurd notion to photograph feet I saw. But I really don’t want a collection of photographed feet. And the more I looked, the more I really did not want a collection of dusty, dirty, photographed feet. Anyway, I was just struck by what the choice of footware might say about the owner. And how my interest and awareness of these sandals and shoes was directly influenced by the book I just read that morning: “New Fashion Japan” by Leonard Koren. The book speaks about and illustrates the evolution of fashion in Japan: the influence of American fashion on Japanese fashion after WWII, the lives and work of exemplary, influential Japanese fashion designers, and Japanese magazines and advertisement devoted to fashion.
feet
I also realized how closely this book relates to what I was thinking yesterday at the used clothing sale. “Our clothes never wore out – they just went out of fashion” (quote from page 13) Before American influence, used clothing was not sought after in Japan, sales did not exist. I did not write down the exact quote, but one fashion designer said “I don’t know many people who are dressing a lie. Looking at what someone wears is a good indication of what they are like.”
I saw chacos the most I think. Also a lot of converse, keens, toms, unidentifiable, unsupportive looking flats and flip flops. If ever anyone wanted to conduct a study on fashionable shoes at concerts…ACL might just be a good place to start.
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Michael
11 Oct 2008Some of the traditional clothing worn by Japanese people is Kimono, Jonihitoe, Yukata etc. Kimono is the most definitive Japanese clothing, which can be worn by both men and women. The difference between men ad women kimonos is that the men kimonos are not very flashy and elaborate and they are just loosely seamed and have narrower sleeves. Women wore dazzling styles of kimonos and they feel pride to possess as it is expensive. It is made up of silk and is available in unique designs, making them different from one another. Kimonos have various parts and each part has a name of its own. This shows that Japanese are very methodical with their clothes also