Wednesday November 10, 2010
Retrospective 2002
osaka, tokyo
RETROSPECTIVE, girls
Kjeld Duits
JAPANESE STREETS started on November 22, 2002. Exactly 8 years ago this month!
In advance of our birthday we take a jump back into history and look at some of the fashion trends we photographed during our first year in 2002 and 2003.
Some of these looks have stood the test of time, others would look totally out of place today.
It is funny to look back at these old images.
I still worked alone and still had to find my voice.
My photographs therefore show a very eclectic selection of fashion.
In those days I didn’t yet have a digital camera,
so everything was shot on film and then scanned.
The scanner was cheap and an early one, that’s why the colors are often off.
But hey, JAPANESE STREETS was one of the first fashion blogs,
and the very first one to introduce Japanese street fashion.
The word fashion blog didn’t even exist yet.
About the PhotographerInspired by the stunningly creative street fashion that exploded on the streets of Tokyo and Osaka in the late 1990’s, photo-journalist Kjeld Duits launched JAPANESE STREETS in 2002. This makes JS one of the first fashion blogs on the net, and the very first to cover Japanese street fashion.
Recent photos by Kjeld Duits:
Happy Birthday Japanese streets. I only started courting JS a year ago, I didn’t know you’d been around for so long. The pics are so diverse, they’re so real. I wish I was there with you back then when it was all new a fresh, lol. I love the flashbacks, thank you
Annabelle
Nov 10, 2010 (4467 days ago)
OMG Kjeld is that a white girl I see? 0.o Yes, most of these images are 100% cringe worthy.
Mel
Nov 10, 2010 (4467 days ago)
I can’t believe you were originally shooting everything on film and then scanning, that’s a lot more work but the photos have always looked great! Styles have certainly changed over the years…
Lorena
Nov 10, 2010 (4467 days ago)
I agree, its amazing how much the styles have changed, and even how many fashion subcultures have emerged that are popular now that didn’t even exist then.
I’m so happy to be a fan of Japanese Streets. You were the first web site I found that showed photos of Japanese kids on the street because of their interesting fashion. I have followed you guys since 2005 I believe! You guys are awesome..Can’t wait to see the future of this great site!
Lactose Intoler-Art
Nov 10, 2010 (4466 days ago)
Happy Birthday!!! And Congratulations!!!
Kjeld, you really set the bar with JS!
Thank you so much for your vision and hard work (film and scanning!?) to make it a reality!
And much continued success in the future!!!
2046
Nov 10, 2010 (4466 days ago)
Kjeld Duits (photographer)
Nov 10, 2010 (4466 days ago)
Wow!
this is interesting!
Because even to me, an American girl who is definitely not completely up to date with Japanese fashion, some of this stuff appears dated!I do have to say, though, that there are some pieces in here that I see similar pieces out now that have the same sort of inspiration— (example, the fringe boots, the black high-heeled boots, the black skeleton printed skinny pants). so cool!
Etsune
Nov 10, 2010 (4466 days ago)
Kjeld Duits (photographer)
Nov 10, 2010 (4466 days ago)
Kjeld Duits (photographer)
Nov 10, 2010 (4466 days ago)
@Kjeld: Exactly. One good example:
When i was younger, the people on Disney Channel Shows dressed so differently. Back then, the way Lizzie McGuire dressed really cool, cute, and funky. But now, when I look at what she wore, I just can’t believe that it was ever cool.
SO basically, fashion with disney channel;
8(ish) years ago- http://www.moviebase.info/wallpapers/Lizzie-Mcguire/Lizzie-Mcguire-1.jpg
now- http://www.bsckids.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/sonnywithachance2.jpg
Big difference?
I think so.
Etsune
Nov 10, 2010 (4466 days ago)
Kjeld Duits (photographer)
Nov 10, 2010 (4466 days ago)
@Kjeld:
4o years?!
Hey now.
You better watch what you say!!
XPP
Anywho, I really do wonder what the world will be like in forty years? i think there might be flying cars. And not like everyone thinks. They would work like the hoverboards off of the book Uglies by Scott Westerfield. They would “fly” because they would have a magnetic tug and there would be metal in the ground. So cool! Hopefully.
Etsune
Nov 11, 2010 (4466 days ago)
Happy Birthday JS! Love the retrospectives, makes you think how fast time goes by, and how past eras influence the fashions of today.
Thanks for everything you do; visiting the site always brightens my day :)
petitesam
Nov 11, 2010 (4466 days ago)
Really interesting posts…Its amazing how era’s are always going to be outdated, including now. I think what’s great about now is that there seems to be more of a bigger range of selection, and what is accepted, but there is still styles and looks that are definitely “OUT.”
Kind of like the ganguro girl up there with the white eye shadow. GREAT shot, but YIKES! haha
Lactose Intoler-Art
Nov 11, 2010 (4465 days ago)
Kjeld Duits (photographer)
Nov 11, 2010 (4465 days ago)
You seriously have the best job in the world! Love all the samples in the pictures.
DC SHOES
Nov 12, 2010 (4465 days ago)
Kjeld Duits (photographer)
Nov 12, 2010 (4464 days ago)
@Kjeld: To be honest, the idea of getting to see knew technology makes me more willing to grow up. What, exactly, were the “flying cars” of your generation?
Etsune
Nov 13, 2010 (4463 days ago)
Kjeld Duits (photographer)
Nov 13, 2010 (4463 days ago)
Kjeld I remember many of these shots when I first joined JS. I would anxiously await for you to upload more! I’d check the blog everyday :D It’s so natsukashi! :)
Sierra
Nov 15, 2010 (4462 days ago)
Kjeld Duits (photographer)
Nov 15, 2010 (4462 days ago)
