turnherintoliterature's review against another edition
3.0
[ This post was originally uploaded to http://www.theageofintimacy.com/shoichi-aoki-fresh-fruits/ as part of a blogging/social media internship. ]
Asian street fashion is an enigma to most Westerners. Even if they have lived on the continent for an extended period of time, chances are that their country of origin or ancestors has more influence on their style than their newly-adopted homeland. I lived in Thailand for three years at the end of high school, and it still tickles me pink that once the temperature drops below 25, many Thais will pull out parkas and puffer jackets, simply because that is ‘cold’ for them, and it also gives them a chance to experience winter fashion in a tropical climate.
Shoichi Aoki uses Fresh Fruits to display the wide range in Japanese street fashion, across a variety of ages and demographics. From the adorable toddlers who are rainbow from head to toe, to Lolita girls, to couples dressing in matching punk-inspired outfits, Aoki has selected a large sample size and even included some outfits that almost conform to the Western fashion sensibilities. The age range also seems to discredit the theory that street fashion is primarily a youth culture.
I love the distinct style which, in some instances (like the Lolita style), have the basis in Western fashion from decades or centuries passed. In some outfits, I can clearly pick the influences from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s. But though the past has influenced the design of the clothing itself, the Japanese have truly made it their own through their original pairings of “clashing” (to the Western eye) patterns, colours and fabrics. What really inspires me, though, is how individual each person looks, even if the themes of their clothing are similar when you really scratch the surface. In their own unique ways, they combine Japanese cultural identity with both traditional Japanese dress and Western fashion, to create a look that is all their own.
Asian street fashion is an enigma to most Westerners. Even if they have lived on the continent for an extended period of time, chances are that their country of origin or ancestors has more influence on their style than their newly-adopted homeland. I lived in Thailand for three years at the end of high school, and it still tickles me pink that once the temperature drops below 25, many Thais will pull out parkas and puffer jackets, simply because that is ‘cold’ for them, and it also gives them a chance to experience winter fashion in a tropical climate.
Shoichi Aoki uses Fresh Fruits to display the wide range in Japanese street fashion, across a variety of ages and demographics. From the adorable toddlers who are rainbow from head to toe, to Lolita girls, to couples dressing in matching punk-inspired outfits, Aoki has selected a large sample size and even included some outfits that almost conform to the Western fashion sensibilities. The age range also seems to discredit the theory that street fashion is primarily a youth culture.
I love the distinct style which, in some instances (like the Lolita style), have the basis in Western fashion from decades or centuries passed. In some outfits, I can clearly pick the influences from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s. But though the past has influenced the design of the clothing itself, the Japanese have truly made it their own through their original pairings of “clashing” (to the Western eye) patterns, colours and fabrics. What really inspires me, though, is how individual each person looks, even if the themes of their clothing are similar when you really scratch the surface. In their own unique ways, they combine Japanese cultural identity with both traditional Japanese dress and Western fashion, to create a look that is all their own.
typewriterdeluxe's review
3.0
I've read and revisited this book a couple of times now and I enjoy it every time. The only thing I don't like is how difficult the text is to read due to small font size and colors.
Fresh Fruits is special for capturing so many fashion moments in a certain time and place. (I think I like more looks in this compilation slightly more than in the previous book.)
Reading these 2 books makes me wonder about Fruits magazine itself, which I've only seen in occasional scans online. How were the photos in these books chosen from among many others?
It also makes me wish there was a third book, either covering the last 11 years of the magazine or showcasing highlights from 20 years of street snaps.
Fresh Fruits is special for capturing so many fashion moments in a certain time and place. (I think I like more looks in this compilation slightly more than in the previous book.)
Reading these 2 books makes me wonder about Fruits magazine itself, which I've only seen in occasional scans online. How were the photos in these books chosen from among many others?
It also makes me wish there was a third book, either covering the last 11 years of the magazine or showcasing highlights from 20 years of street snaps.
allisonthurman's review
5.0
50+ years of Western youth/subcultural fashion - historic context = insane Japanese street fashion!
dee2799d's review
4.0
This is a collection of street snaps from the heydays of Harajuku fashion. Preserved, according to the foreword, not only to show off the creativity that was out in the streets back in the days but also as a reminder to fashion-forward youth not to forget this was a thing that happened and a rallying cry not to succumb to casual fashion that's popular nowadays. Sorry Shoichi Aoki!
I also have the Gothic & Lolita version of this and tbh both of them are old so ... I'm not sure how to really put it? So let's do that as bluntly as possible. In bullets.
- FRUiTS aged better than G&L. I hate saying that because Capitalism and consumer culture is what happened to Gothic & Lolita fashion and the things people think are 'ita' now are the cheap or handmade items that helped establish the subculture in the first place so thanks a lot for that. Anyway, there's a lot of 'ita' or inelegant, ugly fashion in the Gothic & Lolita book because the fashion has moved on to pricey branded items that get sold out the first day. On the other hand, street fashion in general (not counting the Lolita and hime branches) chugs along merrily without really looking at trends, so the fashion in FRUiTS is actually still very fresh and fashionable?
- There's also quite a number of DIY and thrifting happening, with people customising their clothing (again not something you see that much in the G&L or hime side?) to make them one of a kind items, and I feel there's so much more street cred there. Why did we become so enamored with brand names?
- I got a book that was published more recently , [b: Tokyo Street Style|35888333|Tokyo Street Style|Yoko Yagi|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1525446973l/35888333._SX50_.jpg|57404947] and that features more casual fashion that costs you an arm and a leg, with select shops that tend to favour minimalism. And again, sorry Shoichi Aoki! :"D
All that said, I'm not the biggest fan of the book's coloured text on busy backgrounds. Yes, the photos are more important than the text, but can't you do it in white font at least? There are a couple descriptions I just couldn't read at all.
I also have the Gothic & Lolita version of this and tbh both of them are old so ... I'm not sure how to really put it? So let's do that as bluntly as possible. In bullets.
- FRUiTS aged better than G&L. I hate saying that because Capitalism and consumer culture is what happened to Gothic & Lolita fashion and the things people think are 'ita' now are the cheap or handmade items that helped establish the subculture in the first place so thanks a lot for that. Anyway, there's a lot of 'ita' or inelegant, ugly fashion in the Gothic & Lolita book because the fashion has moved on to pricey branded items that get sold out the first day. On the other hand, street fashion in general (not counting the Lolita and hime branches) chugs along merrily without really looking at trends, so the fashion in FRUiTS is actually still very fresh and fashionable?
- There's also quite a number of DIY and thrifting happening, with people customising their clothing (again not something you see that much in the G&L or hime side?) to make them one of a kind items, and I feel there's so much more street cred there. Why did we become so enamored with brand names?
- I got a book that was published more recently , [b: Tokyo Street Style|35888333|Tokyo Street Style|Yoko Yagi|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1525446973l/35888333._SX50_.jpg|57404947] and that features more casual fashion that costs you an arm and a leg, with select shops that tend to favour minimalism. And again, sorry Shoichi Aoki! :"D
All that said, I'm not the biggest fan of the book's coloured text on busy backgrounds. Yes, the photos are more important than the text, but can't you do it in white font at least? There are a couple descriptions I just couldn't read at all.
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