What do you think of as typical Japanese fashion? Is it the kimono? Would you be surprised to find out that only
a small number of Japanese wear the kimono as traditional dress? Author Philomena Keet describes Tokyo as the
world's fashion melting pot with five distinct groups in The Tokyo Look Book.
In any culture, dress defines the wearer's personality, hobbies, and social status. Keet states that Tokyo
fashion culture draws from the world as well as Japan. While fashion typically defines social status, Tokyo
fashion styles can be seen among all classes. Keet describes the unique fashion of five groups: Shibuya Girls
and Guys (fashion of the dynamic youth); Subcultural (such as punk rock or manga); Youth Street Fashion (in
which fashion is worn for fashion-sake and seen on the backstreets); The Stylish Female (both working and
at-leisure women); and Young Men at Work (showing stylish suits and pointed shoes).
Within each chapter, Keet provides in-depth views on the particular subgroup of fashion. She focuses on the
fashion statement and the posing individuals, based on clothing, hair and accessories. Photographer Yuri Manabe
captures diverse, on-the-street snapshots: young women at a crepe shop, after-work shots of women with cell
phone bling or luxury handbags, men and women with tanned faces and dyed hair, a couple in matching camouflage
hoodies, suit and tie professionals, and people dressing in their favorite anime characters.
The Tokyo Look Book is unique as it offers social viewpoints on various fashion behaviors. I was
surprised by the multitude of styles. I had fun seeing the brighter and more outrageous fashions. The book
includes over one hundred vivid photos, so take your time and enjoy. Readers with a fashion-conscious eye or
culture-curious nature will savor the pages.