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The Dark Side Of Harajuku Style You Haven’t Seen Yet | Style Out There | Refinery29

On this episode of Style Out There, our host, Connie Wang, takes us to Tokyo to meet the individuals pioneering the Harajuku subculture of Kawaii, more specifically Yami Kawaii. This style of fashion accentuates cuteness while incorporating symbols that represent death. Watch this episode of Style Out There to delve deeper into this morbid trend in Tokyo!

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In fashion, what's seen on the streets is just as important as what goes down the runway. R29's Style Out There takes a look at the drastically different subcultures around the world, examining the myriad influences that color what we wear — and why.

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  • @liddolbee says:

    I lost it at “I don’t feel kawaii, I feel uncomfortable”

  • @neonvalve says:

    *Depression and mental illness behind the cute design*

    Tumblr: *I AM HERE*

  • @aminanasra8323 says:

    When you’re depressed but also wanna be a cute person

    • @_No1partyanthem- says:

      depressed amy that’s 100% me

    • @kevingonzalez3673 says:

      Mental illness in style.

    • @TryingToFollowChrist37 says:

      depressed amy, I’m surprised you would even care. I guess your still young.

    • @JackieOta says:

      Today I heard that one girl in my school that I thought she was happy turns out that she needs help.
      I heard that she cuts her self and that half of her arm is full of cuts and that she laughs it off like “oh this is nothing ahaha” which from that broke me
      I’m not in deep depression but I been diagnosed with mild depression I’m still trying to understand about depression and all. But supposedly one of her friends that was saying about it said that she just most likely faking it because she the type to want attention.
      It even broke my heart even more that I wanted to defend her but I don’t know if it’s true or not.

    • @kevingonzalez3673 says:

      @@JackieOta dam dawg dat deep

  • @Dellyrium says:

    Japan has highest suicide rate and forbids to talk about depression. Talk it out is number 1 thing to prevent suicide. Very ironic approach.

    • @denisborzov8406 says:

      It’s not the highest.

    • @s.a.8548 says:

      @@denisborzov8406 One of the highest.

    • @denisborzov8406 says:

      @@s.a.8548 that’s an important distinction, don’t you think? “One of the highest” might mean: top 3; top 5; top 10; top 20… and so on, lol

    • @s.a.8548 says:

      @@denisborzov8406 Japan, South Korea, and Belgium are the only first world countries on that list. Unless ofc you consider Russia first world (a debt to be had lol). A pretty bad stat!

    • @denisborzov8406 says:

      @@s.a.8548 I don’t know why you brought “first world” or whatever countries into this, that was not the subject matter. The guy said Japan has the highest suicide rate, I said it doesn’t, because it’s simply not true, that’s all.

      Btw Russia is a second world country. Yeah, that’s actually a term.

  • @DocBree13 says:

    There’s really nothing stronger than wanting to die and choosing to live.

  • @iwannabeedgy1503 says:

    I don’t see this as them making depression an aesthetic, I see it as a coping mechanism and a way for people to express their feelings

    • @Hannahsx says:

      Coping mechanisms are NOT healthy, hence why this video exists. So many people choose this style of fashion because they want to romanticise depression

    • @charahowo3132 says:

      @@Hannahsx well, not all of them! I think this type of coping mechanism is great! They express how they feel

    • @spiderGirl-jr7vb says:

      sxahmxx I use coping mechanisms lol there healthy it’s better than ppl cutting or scratching there skin as a cope

    • @Hannahsx says:

      @@spiderGirl-jr7vb I’m qualified in this subject, thank you. No coping mechanism is okay, ever. Cutting is actually less harmful than changing everyday things you do to “cope.” Coping isn’t good. You shouldn’t need to cope, or have to. I suggest you do some research.

    • @beniroberts1622 says:

      sxahmxx wearing yami kawaii is 100X better than cutting

  • @laylagorman3652 says:

    Can we just all appreciate the husband for taking her to the cat cafe to make her happy 🥺

  • @thisismyusername9800 says:

    her: “That’s cute! What does that mean?”
    him: “I want to die”

  • @roxane5825 says:

    not the reporter saying « kowaii » over and over again which means terrifying instead of « kawaii » which means cute💀💀

  • @yeetyeet7070 says:

    “this is so cute, what does it say”, “I want to die”

    💀💀💀

  • @edenlost4074 says:

    Feeling “seen/recognized” is the first step.
    Romantizing mental issues can be dangerous, but giving people with certain disorders a platform to express themselves is a much needed social safety net.
    Every version of art is a form of therapy and tool of communication with the “outside” world for the creator.
    I’m pretty sure even back then people were looking at Pieter Bruegel the Elder’s creations and thinking: That dude seriously needs a shrink.

    • @peepindis says:

      Agree with everything you said. I see this style being therapeutic in a few ways. It’s of course a great way to communicate one’s emotions. But it also takes considerable effort and focus to attain some of these looks. Time spent engaged in this activity is time not spent ruminating or focusing on suffering.

    • @yourfavoriteoompaloompa139 says:

      EXACTLY!! I agree so much

  • @clickpause8732 says:

    “Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.”
    – Banksy

  • @jocelynd1897 says:

    Imagine a depressed person still wanting happiness for her fans, Hanayo is very strong for that❤️

  • @caitlinmontgomery917 says:

    “My husband brings me here so that I don’t fall back into melancholy” this is the sweetest thing

  • @schoolgyaru says:

    “This is cute! what does it say?”
    “I want to die”
    “I want to die? Oh…”

    *literally every alt ever* 💀

  • @TamiUwU420 says:

    I feel like the interviewer wasn’t disrespectful I just feel like she wasn’t the right one for this video since she seemed to not really be able to relate or to understand the thing

    • @gab_gallard says:

      But ist she just a mirror of the intended audience? The video is not directed towards people with depression but outsiders that would like to know and understand this culture better, which is what she is trying to do.

    • @kriesti says:

      @@gab_gallard yeah but bringing it up in that light makes others think it’s an appropriate way to approach it. she didn’t seem to get it and it’d be best to have someone understanding to interview so that it can be seen in a more positive view.

    • @gab_gallard says:

      @@kriesti I kinda get what you’re saying but I think your request is a bit unrealistic. Is not like people with severe depression from Japan are working in western video magazines.

    • @kriesti says:

      @@gab_gallard idk what ur saying.

    • @gab_gallard says:

      @@kriesti Like, who else is gonna do it? That’s what I mean. Who is that person who “understands” that should do it instead? A person who really “understands” has to be somebody who is going through the same. That means a Japanese living and working in Japan, that also suffers from depression and is into this type of fashion. It’s very specific. It’s not the type of person that is gonna be working with this magazine/YouTube channel. Do you get my point now?

  • @user-vy1co6bq3z says:

    I really like this reporter. She goes in open to a fresh perspective, is respectful to the interviewees and doesn’t try to push her own perceptions or assumptions on them, genuinely trying to learn about why they are how they are. Respect – please use her in more videos!

  • @rainandhail67 says:

    As someone who’s dealt with depression in all forms for 6yrs and counting, I can confidently say that those claiming romanticisation are assuming pretty heavily. They’re not promoting being depressed, they’re promoting that being depressed isn’t something to be ashamed of, especially in Japan where mental illness is taboo. It’s a battle you face, and for them, long term. They use this fashion to express how they feel when they couldn’t in any other way. It’s their form of therapy, it makes them happy. It’s not for everyone, obviously. But it’s their way of dealing with things.
    I think it’s healthier they dress how they feel rather than suppress emotions and act like their life is over because they have depression, don’t you?

    • @outoforder8791 says:

      You explained this perfectly. ❤️

    • @Tivea_616 says:

      you just summerised my thoughts perfectly, thank you

    • @katpage9378 says:

      Yeah, I think in some cases, especially if this style were popular in western culture where speaking of mental illness and suicidal thoughts isn’t a taboo, they might romanticize and make being suicidal seem cool. But since it’s the opposite situation in Japan where it is in fact taboo and you can’t really express it in any other way except fashion, it has the opposite effect and is very beneficial.

    • @Kaali0708 says:

      Yupp, that’s true ✌️

    • @39nova77 says:

      precisely! well put. Many people are looking at this from a western culture and western mindset. When you understand just how brutally you are expected to “fit in” and just how poorly mental health issues are dealt with, how “attention seeking” really isn’t as common in Japan due to this culture either, then you start to understand how this isn’t romanticising and a genuine visual protest of the way Japan as a culture treats mental health and not fitting in.

  • @refinery29 says:

    WATCH NEXT: Fashion Defined By Borders In Palestine – https://youtu.be/IXZoWsuZYv0

    • @davidwolstenholme4676 says:

      you tube are preventing me watching some things from japan ,because i send them around the world.

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