Street Fashion Across Asia: The Art of Self Expression

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Street fashion is more than just clothing. It is a bold form of self expression, showcasing one’s unique identity without fear of judgment. From fashion weeks in Seoul to streetwear photographers amassing at Asia’s shopping districts, Asian street fashion has caught attention from all over the world. It combines fashion with diverse cultural identities, merging both traditional and contemporary styles. In fact, different regions of the Asian continent have distinct clothing personalities. This blog will explore some types of streetwear in Asia and hopefully inspire your own style!

WHAT EXACTLY IS STREET FASHION?

Street fashion (or streetwear/street style, whatever you like to call it) originated in the 90’s, aided by the rise of hip hop, surf-skate culture, and punk. It is most prominent in metropolitan cities like New York or Tokyo. What makes streetwear truly special is the emphasis on individualism over trends. Your clothing can make a bold statement of who you are, putting all your personality into one outfit. As such, merging styles and blending accessories is common in streetwear. There is no room for insecurity or how others may think of you; street style has no bounds.

“Fashion shows my identity: how I feel, how I think, how I live,” Minako Yamada, 22, said. “People don’t always express themselves directly with their voices or words, and that’s why they’re trying to express themselves in fashion.”

Credit: Andrea DiCenzo for The New York Times

SEOUL, KOREA

Though Korea is a small country, its fashion scene is constantly growing and progressing. Seoul plays a significant role with designer brands, such as Chanel or Christian Dior. However, casual streetwear typically consists of a minimalist look. This includes genderless clothing, which has expanded across Korean designers. Popular brand ul:kin is well-regarded for its unisex streetwear, breaking the gendered-barriers of fashion and allowing room for experimentation.

Next, let’s talk about Seoul Fashion Week: a global fashion event hosted in Korea’s capital city. The event emerged in 1987 and runs seasonally. The 2023 Seoul Fashion Week was nothing short of bold and eye-catching streetwear. Because of the cold temperature, knitwear and oversized jackets were a staple. Seoul’s streetwear was further characterized by vintage styles and monochrome black attire.

Attendee Juno Jung: “I used to think that Korean fashion is too focused on K-pop groups, and that everybody dresses the same. However, after enjoying Seoul Fashion Week, I’ve seen various fashions (on display)… I can tell K-fashion will develop more in the future.”

Credit: CNN Style

TOKYO, JAPAN

Streetwear in Tokyo is iconic for its diversity and range of styles. Handmade pieces are common, highlighting one’s individuality. No wonder Japan is famous for its fashion magazines, like FRUiTs! Each district has a fashion scene expressed in its own way.

Look at the streetwear of HARAJUKU, a district in Tokyo. Harajuku streetwear is characterized by colorful patterns, ruffles, and varied styles. Some of its subcultures include the girlish lolita and punk Western-inspired gyaru. Though these teen subcultures are declining, they are iconic in Harajuku streetwear history.

HARAJUKU

“What I like about fashion is the idea of being able to wear whatever you want, wherever you want. I see people who worry about how they are seen by others, I hope to inspire them so they will be able to express themselves, too.” — Isaka Nohara, 19, student

Credit: Andrea DiCenzo for The New York Times

Thanks for reading!