Love Handbags for life...

J is for Japanese streetstyle handbags – associated with for example Gwen Stefani’s L.A.M.B. collection and the Harajuku area of Tokio an area is known internationally for its youth style and fashion.

Harajuku street style is promoted in Japanese and international publications such as Fruits.

It is kind of what Agyness Deyn has been pulling off in a way. Who has not looked at some crazy Japanese kids and thought – “man, that looks cool! – I want that handbag and that outfit”?

The street style heavily influences all of Japanese fashion and therefore also the Japanese Fashion week, which took place this year in March as you can see on the pictures – some already carrying harajuku style handbags:

So what is the Japanese style like and what handbags do you look for? As long as it is not subtle, you cannot really go wrong! There are many different street-styles various sub-cultures including Gothic Lolita, Ganguro, Gyaru, and Kogal. They may also be dressed as characters from an anime, movie, manga or in the visual kei style (cosplay). Tip: Check out these visual kei bands.

Here are three handbags that I have selected to match the above styles, there are some nice forzieri bags online:

Out of the fashion a new US brand has developed: Harajuku Lovers. I am not that keen on their handbags. They are very cutesy and not cool, the prints remind me of Le Sportsac except their prints are not that good and there is not much choice in bag designs.

If you want to find a good Japanese street style bag – go and play the field and look in the street at a streetmarket like for example Camden market!

Japanese street style is not for the fainthearted – go harajuku girl!