Japanese Cosmetics and Fashion Magazines

Japanese Cosmetics     

        @Cosme is Japan’s most popular “kuchikomi” (word of mouth) cosmetics information and ranking website. On March 10th the website released a cosmetics guidebook called “The Cosmetics Chosen by 1,200,000 People.” As the title suggests, the book showcases the top cosmetic products as selected by the site’s 1,200,000 users. From over 60,000 products discussed on the website in over 6,600,000 user rating entries, top items in categories such as skin care and make-up get mention in the book. The products themselves are surprisingly varied, from $200 face creams to drug stores staples like witch hazel and Vaseline—a reflection of the different users of the site.

          “The Cosmetics Chosen by 1,200,000 People” is a “mook,” the curious Japanese word for a cross-between a book and magazine. More casual than a book, but not as disposable as a magazine, mooks usually enjoy an initial display on the magazine shelves at the bookstore before retiring to the appropriate book section. Like other crowd-sourced products and self-publishing “keitai novel” sites that have proved hits lately, this does a nice job of making users of the site feel like they are really part of something greater—ensuring that a good number of them will feel vested enough in the creation process to purchase the book not only for the information but also as a “souvenir.” The layout of the book itself resembles the beauty section in fashion magazine, yet with the prominent “rating points” and “members comments” reminding readers that they themselves are part of the collective editorial voice.

Japanese Magazines

Fruits

 

      FRUITS is now the best recognized Japanese street fashion print magazine outside Japan. Thin and simple, it nevertheless manages to introduce some of the best trendsetters in Harajuku as they roam the streets. The original urban street fashion magazine that made Harajuku famous all over the world.

 

Gothic & Lolita Bible

 

      

     Gothic & Lolita Bible is the last word on gothic and lolita fashion in Japan. This gorgeous full-color magazine features photographs of new items, specials on popular brands, introductions to shops, illustrations, detailed how-to’s and tons of tips and other info. Because the magazine is so incredibly well-illustrated it is worth buying even if you don’t speak Japanese and already read the English version. Each issue also comes with gifts such as stickers, and a complete pattern for making your own outfit.

 

KERA

     The moment that the photographer arrives on his spot in front of Harajuku GAP, people start to arrive to get their photos taken. They e-mail their friends to inform them that he is there and the word gets around in no time. It shows in the quality of this magazine’s street snap shots. It gives an excellent overview of what is hot on the streets of Tokyo right now, from punk to Goth-Lolita. KERA also features photographs of models, apparel by itself, articles about JPOP artists, and make-up tips and accessory information. A must-have if you are interested into the fringe urban fashion that Harajuku is famous for.

 

EGG

 

    

     This monthly magazine introduces youthful kogal fashion and features the Shibuya style fashion that they love. Not half as thick as the above two magazines, but still has a handful of great photographs and fashion ideas.

 

COSMODE

 

     Not a street fashion magazine, but Japan’s most popular print magazine on Cosplay Fashion. It features snap shots of fully decked out cosplayers as photographed at Comiket (Comic Market), Tokyo Game Show, and exclusive cosplay events. Full-page color photos, how-to info, tips, designs, online resources and more. Published 2-3 times per year.

 

The Meaning of Fashion in Tokyo, Japan

    Unlike in the West, clothes are not a social statement in Japan according to Aoki. “Instead of expressing yourself, it is a way of communicating with the members of your group. A message without words. You show your feelings, your awareness of fashion. It has no social context whatsoever. They don’t care at all about how other people in society or how other groups see them.” This group feeling is so strong says Aoki that members of one group will never meet or communicate with members of other groups. “Harajuku girls would never become friends with Shibuya girls. It is a different universe.”

 

 

How the economic stimulus plan affects me?

     Economic or "fiscal" stimulus stands in contrast to monetary stimulus, a process through which the U.S. Federal Reserve Board adjusts interest rates to encourage or discourage lending. By 2009, the Fed had lowered rates to near zero. Because it can't lower rates below zero (which would amount to lenders paying people to take a loan), the Fed had few remaining policy options. Economic stimulus is another means by which a government can seek to boost its economy, either in the short term, by encouraging consumers or companies to consume goods, or in the longer term, by encouraging the growth of businesses and the creation of jobs through investments in infrastructure and research.
There are many different forms of potential economic stimulus and they work in different ways. Tax cuts for individuals generally encourage short-term spending. Tax cuts for companies encourage both spending and investment. Expenditures on public works create contracts for firms and provide short- to medium-term employment opportunities. Investments in research and development take a longer-term approach under the theory that businesses will thrive in the future (and thus provide jobs) if they have the money to make intelligent investments in their operations now.
Finally, some forms of economic stimulus seek to make investments that will pay off in the long run by making consumption cheaper for everybody. An example is investing in the U.S. energy grid. Theoretically, a one-time outlay could make energy costs for both individuals and businesses less expensive for decades to come. Similar arguments are made about health care spending. Critics say an outdated and illogical health care system presents significant costs for U.S. businesses that could be eased through front-end investments. Obama has called attention to both energy and health care as sectors in which infrastructure investments could help make U.S. firms more competitive internationally. Other countries, including China, have similarly focused stimulus spending on infrastructure development.







Economic Stimulus Package- distribution of money

• Doubling of renewable energy production
• Renovation of public buildings to make them more energy efficient
• Rebuilding of American infrastructure (roads, bridges, and schools)
• Updating and computerizing our healthcare system
• Modernizing classrooms, labs, and libraries
• Providing “direct tax relief” to 95% of American workers
• A $2,500 college tuition tax credit.

Why not simply pay for the tuition entirely based on individual merits? Let’s reward those low-income students who truly want to earn their way to college with full scholarships, with the pre-agreed condition that they will work to benefit their communities for at least 2 years after graduating.


Expand Health Care
• $24 billion to subsidize COBRA benefits for laid off workers.
• $87 billion to help states with Medicaid.
• $10 billion to National Institute for Health
• $17 billion to modernize health information technology systems.


Improve Education

• $54 billion to school districts and states.
• $21 billion for school modernization.
• $17 billion to boost Pell Grants.
• $13 billion for Head Start.
• $12 billlion for special ed programs.

Japanese Kimono and Trivia

Konbanwa, by the way that's just Good Evening in Japanese if you were wondering...

I talked about Harajuku, a street fashion style last time, and this week I thought that I'd discuss traditional japanese fashion.

     The kimono (着物) is the traditional clothing of Japan. Originally the word "kimono" literally meant "thing to wear" (ki "wearing" and mono "thing"), but now has come to signify a particular type of traditional full-length Japanese garment. 

    Kimonos are T-shaped, straight-lined robes with collars and full-length sleeves that typically are wide. Both genders wear their kimono so that the hem falls to the ankle. Kimonos are wrapped around the body, always with the left side over the right (except when dressing the dead for burial) and secured by a wide belt called an obi, which is tied at the back. Kimonos are generally worn with traditional footwear (especially zōri or geta) and split-toe socks (tabi).

 Kimonos range from extremely formal to casual. The level of formality of women's kimono is determined mostly by the pattern of the fabric, and color. Young women's kimonos have longer sleeves,signifying that they are not married, and tend to be more elaborate than similarly formal older women's kimono. Men's kimonos are usually one basic shape and are mainly worn in subdued colors. Formality is also determined by the type and color of accessories, the fabric, and the number or absence of *kamon(family crests), with five crests signifying extreme formality. Silk is the most desirable, and most formal, fabric. Kimonos made of fabrics such as cotton and polyester generally reflect a more casual style.

*kamon (家紋 ), are Japanese heraldic symbols. Mon may refer to any symbol, while kamon and mondokoro refer specifically to family symbols. Mon serve roughly similar functions to badges, crests, and coats of arms in European heraldry.

Next time that you pick up your cell phone, remember it's called keitai in Japanese. 

Some More Japanese:

- kurai: dark, gloomy, also used to descrobe lack of light

-kirai- hate/dislike 

-koibito:lover, boyfriend/girlfriend

Interesting Facts about Japan:

1. In the Japanese language, it is considered rude to say the word "no" directly.
2. It is considered rude to show signs of affection toward a loved one in public.
3. When you go to a funeral or a wedding you must take a gift of money.
4. Many Japanese people eat rice with or for their breakfast, lunch and dinner.
5. Never stick your chopsticks upright in your rice. This is an old Japanese custom and is what is done when food is offered to the dead. When it is not an offering it is considered to be a very ill omen.

Japanese Art

     Ukiyo-e is a form of Japanese woodblock printing that typically depicts the floating world -- a world of luxury and privilege that was largely inaccesible to the typical Japanese of the time. 

Art is the illusion of spontaneity.~ Japanese Proverb

Harajuku Fashion ....