Harajuku Lovers
Encyclopedia
Harajuku Lovers is singer Gwen Stefani
's brand of apparel, fashion accessories, and stationery
launched in 2005. The concept for Harajuku Lovers revolves around the Shibuya, Tokyo
area of Harajuku
and the four "Harajuku Girls," Gwen Stefani's Japanese
back-up dancers and entourage (Love, Angel, Music, and Baby).
Unlike Stefani's other fashion line, L.A.M.B.
, launched in 2004, which aimed for a more mainstream demographic; Harajuku Lovers instead tends to focus specifically on 'Kawaiiness' made famous by the streets of Harajuku
in Japan. Kawaii
depictions of Stefani and her dancers are common features of the products as is the kanji logo.
Clothing for the line is produced and licensed by JerryLeigh with stationery line produced and licenced by Nakajima USA & FAB/Starpoint [www.fabny.com].
There is also a fragrance line with five different scents: Love, Lil Angel, Music, Baby, and G.
, that would be more accessible to her fans and the general public, originally dubbed "Sub-Lamb", but later changed to Harajuku Lovers.
Stefani started Harajuku Lovers as another layer and extension to her debut solo album Love.Angel.Music.Baby. She has said that HL is an extension of the music and a visual to the lyrics, as many products allude to verses and themes in her songs ("Bubble Pop Electric" as a logo recalling Double Bubble packaging, "a fatal attraction to cuteness" from the song "Harajuku Girls", "this shit is bananas" from "Hollaback Girl
", etc.)
Stefani's original inspiration for a Japanese-inspired line came from her first trip to Tokyo
in 1996, where she was amazed by the self-expression and individual style of Japanese youth.
Gwen Stefani
Gwen Renée Stefani is an American singer-songwriter and fashion designer. Stefani is the lead vocalist for the rock and ska band No Doubt. Stefani recorded her first solo album Love. Angel. Music. Baby. in 2004. The album was inspired by music of the 1980s, and was a success with sales of over...
's brand of apparel, fashion accessories, and stationery
Stationery
Stationery has historically meant a wide gamut of materials: paper and office supplies, writing implements, greeting cards, glue, pencil case etc.-History of stationery:...
launched in 2005. The concept for Harajuku Lovers revolves around the Shibuya, Tokyo
Shibuya, Tokyo
is one of the 23 special wards of Tokyo, Japan. As of 2008, it has an estimated population of 208,371 and a population density of 13,540 persons per km². The total area is 15.11 km²....
area of Harajuku
Harajuku
Harajuku is the common name for the area around Harajuku Station on the Yamanote Line in the Shibuya ward of Tokyo, Japan....
and the four "Harajuku Girls," Gwen Stefani's Japanese
Japanese people
The are an ethnic group originating in the Japanese archipelago and are the predominant ethnic group of Japan. Worldwide, approximately 130 million people are of Japanese descent; of these, approximately 127 million are residents of Japan. People of Japanese ancestry who live in other countries...
back-up dancers and entourage (Love, Angel, Music, and Baby).
Unlike Stefani's other fashion line, L.A.M.B.
L.A.M.B.
L.A.M.B. is a fashion line by American singer Gwen Stefani, the lead vocalist of the rock band No Doubt. The line manufactures apparel and fashion accessories. The line was founded in 2003 but made its runway debut the following year in 2004. The fashion line manufactures accessories like shoes,...
, launched in 2004, which aimed for a more mainstream demographic; Harajuku Lovers instead tends to focus specifically on 'Kawaiiness' made famous by the streets of Harajuku
Harajuku
Harajuku is the common name for the area around Harajuku Station on the Yamanote Line in the Shibuya ward of Tokyo, Japan....
in Japan. Kawaii
Cuteness in Japanese culture
Since the 1970s, cuteness, in Japanese the noun , has become a prominent aspect of Japanese popular culture, entertainment, clothing, food, toys, personal appearance, behavior, and mannerisms...
depictions of Stefani and her dancers are common features of the products as is the kanji logo.
Clothing for the line is produced and licensed by JerryLeigh with stationery line produced and licenced by Nakajima USA & FAB/Starpoint [www.fabny.com].
There is also a fragrance line with five different scents: Love, Lil Angel, Music, Baby, and G.
Stefani's Inspiration
Gwen Stefani decided to create another clothing line, in addition to L.A.M.B.L.A.M.B.
L.A.M.B. is a fashion line by American singer Gwen Stefani, the lead vocalist of the rock band No Doubt. The line manufactures apparel and fashion accessories. The line was founded in 2003 but made its runway debut the following year in 2004. The fashion line manufactures accessories like shoes,...
, that would be more accessible to her fans and the general public, originally dubbed "Sub-Lamb", but later changed to Harajuku Lovers.
Stefani started Harajuku Lovers as another layer and extension to her debut solo album Love.Angel.Music.Baby. She has said that HL is an extension of the music and a visual to the lyrics, as many products allude to verses and themes in her songs ("Bubble Pop Electric" as a logo recalling Double Bubble packaging, "a fatal attraction to cuteness" from the song "Harajuku Girls", "this shit is bananas" from "Hollaback Girl
Hollaback Girl
"Hollaback Girl" is a song by American recording artist Gwen Stefani from her debut solo album, Love. Angel. Music. Baby. . As part of Stefani's vision of creating "a silly dance record", the song is influenced by 1980s dance and pop music...
", etc.)
Stefani's original inspiration for a Japanese-inspired line came from her first trip to Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
in 1996, where she was amazed by the self-expression and individual style of Japanese youth.