Visual & Oshare Kei

This would be my 2007 Visual/Oshare Kei Cosplay. The design of the outift (including the scarf, hair bow, vest, pants and skirt was designed and made by me. I came up with the outfit idea after doing some research on the style. I also made one outfit for my sister, as stated before. If I could find my old photos, I would be more than happy to share her version of this Visual/Oshare Kei style.

This was my very first Oshara/Visual look
So it was mainly a prototype.
It came out pretty good for a newbie.

To tie my love of jrock in, I attended X Japan's Concert at the Tokyo Dome in 2008. It was a good cultural experience to see where Visual Kei style and Jrock came from. Got to say, Yoshiki was AMAZING. I would definitely go back to see one of their concerts. During the concert, an intermission was held with H.Naoto; A fashion show was set up - displaying 2008 fall trend. It was quite a treat being able to see one of my favourite designer's line in person.

Click on the Photos to View in Full View~ ^^

Japanese Fashion and Music

There it was, Kat-tun, NEWS, Arashi, KanJani8, SMAP, Golf & Mike, TegoMasu, and etc. Searching through more japanese music, I fell upon Japanese Rock music. Now, if you were like me, born in America with Chinese Malaysian heritage - this type or rock was really weird. Let's just say, it wasn't pleasing for my ears. All the men looked like women and singing in this really odd way.

For some reason, I was intrigued.

As I looked farther into this style of music, I came to LOVE it. Some rock group sported the style like Oshare Kei or Visual Kei. Visual Kei is more dark punky while Oshare Kei is more happy punky. Both styles were very appealing. Of course, I took a lot of time getting to know this style since NO ONE in my hometown was even aware of such things (no exaggeration).

To my dismay, many people disliked Jrock - even Jpop. I got a lot of, "What's the point in listening to music you can't understand? It's so stupid" or "Haha, they just keep talking like gibberish. Blah blah." I felt like these people are all so close-minded. So, in the end, people in hometown stuck with the "mainstream."

For me, mainstream is too boring. too safe. So Not Me. I like to get intertwined in things out of the ordinary. Gives life an artistic twist. The reason I say "artistic" is because I feel like Jrock is a form of art - let alone, all music is art. Jrock, in a way, is a type of fashion statement. A lifestyle.

You have your Visual Kei, Oshare Kei, Gothic Lolita, Dandy, Dolly Kei, Sweet Lolita, Decora, Ganguro, Ko Gals, and much much more. The rock music in Japan is heavily twisted with fashion. And I love the combination. Not only do the groups define themselves by the music they write, but also the distinct and unique fashion they wear.

So, I sketched out a few Designs and made an Visual/Oshare Kei inspired look for my sister and me. My colors were Black with Neon Pink accents. My sister got Black with Neon Blue accents. I made the entire look. Some parts were hand sewn and some were just clothes found out-and-about in my home. ^U^

In my next post, I shall post some photos~ <3