Inspired by Katie Ries' KNOXLOOKS, I'm currently considering a blog devoted entirely to Japanese fashion. The clothing here, even in far-removed Hokkaido, is completely off the hook. Women in particular, are taking personal style, not to mention hemlines, to new heights.
A teacher recently asked me to take a survey about the effects of clothing on human behavior [for the record, he was clearly avoiding generating his own answers in English]. An interesting question to ponder in a land of such outrageous fashion. It hit upon something I often think about here - potential tools for re-invention. Before moving to Japan, I had a disagreement with a friend over waffles about whether changing one's environment can actually change a person fundamentally. Or if, as the old adage goes, "wherever you go, there you are." Though I never discount old adages, leaving Portland has certainly re-enforced my belief that physical change can be a catalyst; releasing old habits, questioning existing comforts and taking risks previously unimagined. Like a horse stripped of its blinders, our vision of ourselves and our future is no longer so narrowly focused.
So then, a new uniform for a new life. In honor of Japan, I choose striped stirrup pants and a red beret.
