Spotlight On
THE TOKYO AESTHETIC: DISPATCHES FROM THE STREETS OF FASHION WEEK
By Jean-Guillaume Bastin
![Sakura and Naka mixing prints in Harajuku](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/c1c136d6c3cb9a798486ef65a42259e9ea301ded567f7d6828a603257c850ce9/Thumbnail_JG.jpg)
Sakura and Naka mixing prints in Harajuku
I first visited Japan in 2014 and was stunned by the eclectic streetwear. Between takoyakis or taiyakis, I roamed the streets and covered the fashion weeks at the end of October. I decided to move to Japan in 2016 to capture the fashionable spirit of the young, incredibly interesting individuals who treated the pavement like a runway. While I returned to Montreal after my year-long visa expired, the trip made a lasting impression on me, as well as my photographic style.
I went back in 2019 to work on a personal project and couldn’t help but sync up my trip with October Fashion Week. Now, as this year’s (digital) Fashion Week has come and gone, I can’t help but reminisce about the ultra-cool people I met there and the personal styles that continue to inspire me.
One of my biggest takeaways from past trips is that Japanese thrift culture is on another level entirely. I love thrifting in Tokyo. You can find old “grails” and amazing vintage finds. Plus, it’s more sustainable. Areas like Shimokitazawa are full of vintage stores: military and pre ‘80s designers. Koenji for punk and metal. Shibuya or Shinjuku offer more recent designers. That’s why the streets are a mix of luxury items and well-worn vintage. I’ve seen jeans resown as a coat, denim over double-breasted jackets, and expertly-mixed patterns that Japanese designers - like Sacai, Comme des Garcons, and Needles - have mastered.
Here are a few pictures of the young trailblazers I met: from students and actors to art directors and hairstylists. You can find any style in Tokyo. And that’s why it's a must-visit city for anyone who appreciates fashion.
I went back in 2019 to work on a personal project and couldn’t help but sync up my trip with October Fashion Week. Now, as this year’s (digital) Fashion Week has come and gone, I can’t help but reminisce about the ultra-cool people I met there and the personal styles that continue to inspire me.
One of my biggest takeaways from past trips is that Japanese thrift culture is on another level entirely. I love thrifting in Tokyo. You can find old “grails” and amazing vintage finds. Plus, it’s more sustainable. Areas like Shimokitazawa are full of vintage stores: military and pre ‘80s designers. Koenji for punk and metal. Shibuya or Shinjuku offer more recent designers. That’s why the streets are a mix of luxury items and well-worn vintage. I’ve seen jeans resown as a coat, denim over double-breasted jackets, and expertly-mixed patterns that Japanese designers - like Sacai, Comme des Garcons, and Needles - have mastered.
Here are a few pictures of the young trailblazers I met: from students and actors to art directors and hairstylists. You can find any style in Tokyo. And that’s why it's a must-visit city for anyone who appreciates fashion.
![Group of young Japanese enjoying the fashion week in Shibuya](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/278c70da734a2f446bf1ec32e92d5b1deddf5c092e5985d251ab7b11190b9944/For-Stickyy.jpg)
![Yuka Manami, a Japanese model with a vintage Prada bag in Omotesando](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/67758bce0ac5ad819d0f065951904b4fe66e0d92865e8ba3697391558d5b08c9/For-Sticky-12.jpg)
Yuka Manami, a Japanese model with a vintage Prada bag in Omotesando
![Shota having fun in Harajuku](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/d357aebd789b2af2c7651f79e03dd4d78da5963d4802e8e6eb8df79a89133441/For-Sticky-6.jpg)
Shota having fun in Harajuku
![Sakura and Naka mixing prints in Harajuku](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/c1c136d6c3cb9a798486ef65a42259e9ea301ded567f7d6828a603257c850ce9/Thumbnail_JG.jpg)
Sakura and Naka mixing prints in Harajuku
![Nanami wearing a vintage leather jacket in Shibuya](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/7e67da44da2001d2a413e61de81d925de398b4dce68c88320c68566b3c668040/For-Sticky-1-1.jpg)
Nanami wearing a vintage leather jacket in Shibuya
![Erino wearing a DIY leather jacket and striped pants in Shibuya](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/aa95e0b2027607003c4ecf9d39d67d50613714408fe967aa7c082f1e4128491f/For-Sticky-4.jpg)
Erino wearing a DIY leather jacket and striped pants in Shibuya
![Erika wearing a double-breasted jacket and geometrical sunglasses in Shibuya](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/4a148e007aac5e0d034302699a7f71fbb324981714caf418625a73635a3b15c9/For-Sticky-8.jpg)
Erika wearing a double-breasted jacket and geometrical sunglasses in Shibuya
![Yuna with a denim jacket over a suit jacket in Shibuya](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/c505a707054e0abd9f1f097c9112589eff21a0cf18b93f601dcc9782b362d36d/For-Sticky-10.jpg)
Yuna with a denim jacket over a suit jacket in Shibuya
![Sakura wearing a beautiful makeup in Omotesando](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/497d796d3944bbf2ebd27a9c344bc2235c600c4059ff072c28fd592a891640e2/For-Sticky-11.jpg)
Sakura wearing a beautiful makeup in Omotesando
![Young japanese girl daring colours and prints in Shibuya](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/c63f1ac6ba967440ed1faed4b1a4fa7b4f91579986f7fdc0e26f14ea01cd8e6d/For-Sticky-9.jpg)
Young japanese girl daring colours and prints in Shibuya
![Akira with a vintage floral dress in Shibuya](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/394c40f9f8b55bd38eb1c2da1588955c50939010c8d5fe454899ddade409410e/For-Sticky-22.jpg)
Akira with a vintage floral dress in Shibuya
![Toshio displaying his full body tattoo in Harajuku](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/a92ab25ce1cfc044b63036d474c0dc87db80014460e542f7c817e322db7530fc/For-Sticky-5.jpg)
![Young Japanese with layers of down puffers in Shibuya](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/28ea4abd7fd7c31b186c4a2c4e026ddd4a73a0ab1a929f226d009a6304c725fa/For-Sticky-17.jpg)
Young Japanese with layers of down puffers in Shibuya
![Ayumi, a Japanese model, in Omotesando](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/85466591b48e2a01d7cdc25bfe39fb678d143a4d5f2321531cc71d219c55af37/For-Sticky-14.jpg)
Ayumi, a Japanese model, in Omotesando
![A duo of Japanese models in the streets of Harajuku](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/30af99562fe5bc422d515333a7145e3775ec1160696ee751042ef668c0c33a6a/For-Sticky-13.jpg)
A duo of Japanese models in the streets of Harajuku
![A young Japanese stylist with yellow-tinted glasses and PVC jacket in Omotesando](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/99010a025a755d9b9f930515fc906f79d0e697c0722ab93a962bd55434f757a8/For-Sticky-3.jpg)
A young Japanese stylist with yellow-tinted glasses and PVC jacket in Omotesando
ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHER
Jean-Guillaume Bastin is a photographer hailing from Montreal. He spent a year in Tokyo working on various photo projects and spent his leisure time in the streets taking spontaneous portraits of the youth. He’s also part of a creative duo called JG+SHI.