The (global) cultural history of the fashion district Harajuku

Exoticization, internationalization and DIY

Authors

  • Jana Katzenberg

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26563/dobras.i34.1479

Keywords:

Harajuku, street fashion, urban history, Japan, online fashion cultures

Abstract

When considering the significance of the Tokyo district Harajuku for the fashion scene, the discrepancy between its limited dimensions of barely two square kilometers and its great national and international relevance in pop culture is striking. Throughout Harajuku’s development, a special role of the international emerges, shaping the identity of this neighborhood. At the same time, DIY practices have long played an important role, inspired by the area’s global connections. In recent years, this process has intersected with the development of fashion cultures online. My article develops a brief cultural history of Harajuku since the post-war period based on interviews with formative actors from its history, print and online media content and observations made on site.

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Author Biography

Jana Katzenberg

Jana Katzenberg is a PhD candidate in the Department of Japanese Studies at the University of Cologne. She is researching the fashion space Tokyo in relation to usage practices, social space and media discourse. Her research interests include fashion and consumer culture, print media, and sub and popular culture.

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Published

2022-03-29

How to Cite

KATZENBERG, J. The (global) cultural history of the fashion district Harajuku: Exoticization, internationalization and DIY. dObra[s] – revista da Associação Brasileira de Estudos de Pesquisas em Moda, [S. l.], n. 34, p. 129–146, 2022. DOI: 10.26563/dobras.i34.1479. Disponível em: https://dobras.emnuvens.com.br/dobras/article/view/1479. Acesso em: 20 may. 2024.

Issue

No. 34 (2022)

Section

Dossier

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