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The popularity of Japanese street fashion has steadily increased outside Japan the past 15 years.

This is partly thanks to Shoichi Aoki’s FRUITS book published in 2001, JAPANESE STREETS’ launch in 2002, promotion by artists like Gwen Stefani, and the growth of the internet.

The growing number of visitors to Japan has also helped. Many of them fall in love with Harajuku and its irreverent fashion styles.

Possibly the greatest stimulants are anime and manga, and the many events that have been organized for them. Due to the popularity of such events, a new type of event has come into being, celebrating Japanese pop culture in general. One of the biggest of these is the Japan Expo in Paris. Another one is Hyper Japan in London.

JAPANESE STREETS wanted to celebrate Japanese fashion styles worn by non-Japanese, so we asked for submissions of photos. We received several hundreds and selected about 50 of them.

The photos below are in no particular order. They show a variety of Japanese fashion styles. But clearly, Lolita styles are especially popular. Hopefully, the more recently developed Japanese fashion styles will also find a lot of love outside Japanese borders. We would love to introduce more such photos in another feature some time in the near future.

This is Part 2 of 2. See Part 1.

Let us know in the comments which photos on this page you liked best!

• Karla Gil from Mexico.
• Photographer: Lorenzo Gomez
• I am mainly attracted to lolita fashion because it is very different. I love the shape, prints and construction of the dresses. They make me feel pretty!

• (LtR) Kory sekure, Angiek Cardenas, Yami Umiku, Keru Ayakashi and Nicki Zarama from Colombia
• Group: Harajuku Kids Columbia
• Photographer: Alejandra Zambrano
• We love Japanese fashion because each person can be herself and express her own feelings, tastes and ideas through a beautiful aesthetic

• (LtR) Kida Lovelymonster and Hayashi Klayu from Hungary
• Group: TOKYO REVENGE
• We are attracted to Japanese fashion because Japanese fashion has so many styles and is really varied, so everyone can choose her or his favourite one.
• As TOKYO REVENGE we sometimes show our outfits. Someday we want to organise a Harajuku walk in Hungary

• Laura from Germany
• Photographer: Roxanne.
• I really like to dress up like a doll and feel like I am a princess in my own world. In my free time I can relax if I wear Lolita and forget the stress from my work and daily routine.

• Lennon Valim from Brazil
• I am attracted to Japanese fashion culture because of the richness of detail. I make all my own clothes, even some accessories and head gear, because I feel I can put my own identity into each piece.

• Leyla from the Netherlands
• Shop: Mfashion
• I love that Japanese fashion is very versatile and creative! There is something out there for everyone!
• I have been into Lolita for 10 years, run a Lolita shop, blog about Japanese fashion and organize several Lolita events in the Netherlands.

• Lilacck from Italy
• Brand: Cute Can Kill (handmade jewelry)
• To me Japanese fashion is artistic freedom which costantly moves to create awesome trends and spread unique vibes that makes me feel alive.
• Cute Can Kill is a handmade jewelry brand influenced by Kawaii and dreamy atmospheres. I’m inspired by the Japanese fashion world.

• brad-t from Canada
• Group: Harajuju
• Photographer: Cadney
• I’m attracted to Japanese fashion because of the understanding of how small details can elevate a design. The dedication to perfection through iteration.
• Harajuju is a community with a distinctly “outsider” view of Japanese fashion. We want to celebrate all kinds of Japanese fashion.

• Marie Tuonetar from France
• Group: French Café
• Photographer: Mila de Blois
• I’m attracted to Japanese fashion because of the self-expression and creativity that Japanese fashion encourages, and its varied influences.
• French Café organizes events that promotes Japanese fashion in French-speaking countries.

• Matt Lassiter from the USA
• Company: ScatterDOTFashion
• Photographer: Vedetta Marie
• Ever since having a chance to work with h.NAOTO in the U.S. I have been obsessed with all kinds of Harajuku fashion
• My company ScatterDOTFashion is an events production and publication company that travels to Japanese culture conventions to promote and support Japanese fashion and culture.

• Mila de Blois from France
• Photographer: Marie Tuonetar
• I’m attracted to Japanese fashion because I have always wanted to add art and poetry to my daily life. Japanese fashion is clearly the best and coolest way I have found to express myself.

• Nisi Satouri from Colombia
• Photographer: Lina Marcela
• Group: Harajuku Kids Columbia
• I’m attracted to Japanese fashion because it makes me feel special and beautiful, and it has given me the confidence to be myself and express myself. It has taught me to have fun with fashion.

• Lisa from Australia
• Group: Adelaide Lolita Community
• Photographer: Emily McAllan.
• I enjoy Japanese fashion as it really pushes me to take each look I do to the next level, and to let myself be creative and personal with fashion.

• Rosalynn from the Netherlands.
• Photographer: E. Hoogeveen
• Lolita gives me the feeling I am a princess in a normal world. Japanese fashion is interesting and unique and I like to express myself through my clothes.
• I write a blog about the Lolita events I attend. I like to go to Tea Parties, both in my own country and in other European countries.

• Roxie-Sweet Heart from the UK
• Photographer: Florence Carousel
• Brand: Roxie Sweetheart
• The vibrance, whimsicality and sheer cuteness of Japanese art, design and fashion inspires me. Japanese design is unafraid to explore colour, texture and innovative ideas.
• Roxie Sweetheart takes inspiration from diverse sources, from Tokyo’s vibrant fashion scene to vintage illustrations. I sell online and at events such as Enchanted & Frock On.

• (LtR) Alatariel Faelivrin (Blossom of Faelivrin) and Cherrymisa from Canada
• Photographer: Kia Monroe
• I’m attracted to Japanese fashion because you can be who you always wanted to be. Nobody is condemns for her skin color, religion or origin. It’s just about fashion and who you really are.

• SHUN from the UK
• The versatility of Japanese fashion appeals to me because it allows me to express myself through my style without any rules to conform to.

• Stefany from Peru
• Group: Lolimafia
• Photographer: María Lurdes
• I like Japanese fashion because it makes me feel free and confortable. I can express myself, my preferences and how I see the world through fashion. That’s why I love Lolita.
• I am one of the moderators of Lolimafia, the Peruvian Lolita comunity. We organize tea parties, picnics, talks and Lolita runway shows.

• Taffa from Australia
• I first became attracted to styles like decora and visual kei because of all the bright colours, cute accessories and interesting hair styles.
• I love japanese fashion because it is fun and fantastical, I can become anyone I want to be through fun clothes.

• Tais Mallouk from Brazil
• Photographer: Derek Mangabeira
• I’m attracted to Japanese fashion because it’s colorful.

• Tartan Kawaii from the UK
• Brand: Tartan Kawaii/Le Curiot Photographry
• Photographer: Tartan Kawaii
• I am attracted to Japanese fashion because it brings out creativity, confidence and style. It also can bring fashions together and create fashion communities.
• As a photographer I aim to take photos to share many aspects of Japanese fashion, cosplay, and culture.

• Valeria Minaya from Peru
• Photographer: Patricia Gutarra
• Lolita fashion is really dreamy and doll-like. I fell in love with it the moment I saw it.

• Hebi Ichigo from Argentina
• Brand: Youkai Kei
• Photograper: Vic Allen
• Producer: Ivi Martinez
• Model: Ham Yoojin
• I have been interested in Japanese culture since I was a child.
• At my shop Youkai Kei I sell my own designs with influences of Visual Kei, Angura Kei and Gothic Lolita.

• Yura from Germany
• Photographer: Christopher Block
• I’m interested in Japanese fashion because I love the fantastic ideas and cool styles. In Germany, young girls often look the same. I want to be free in my fashion style.

• Yurie Yaotome From France
• I’m attracted to Japanese Fashion because I can wear all the things I love and feel more like myself. I started to wear Japanese Fashion in 2010.
• I’m a model for Babe Candy World, she creates Japanese Lolita and street wear.

• Heloisa from Brazil
• Photographer: Renato Uchoa Lima Verde
• I feel really good and pretty when I wear Japanese fashion. I can express myself fully.

• Isa from Germany
• Photographer: Christian Bartsch
• I am attracted to Japanese fashion because there are a lot of different styles with big differences. A lolita girl can look gothic, scary, cute or totally different. I feel free and creative when I shop in Japan.

• Midori from Singapore
• Photographer: Tiny Wong
• Japanese fashion is very versatile and creative. You have the freedom to express yourself and you can influence others depending on the style you are wearing.

• Ines Virag from Croatia
• Group: Lolita Croatia
• Photographer: Alojzije Kovacevic
• I am attracted to Japanese fashion because it is cute, feminine and girly at the same time and through that kind of fashion I can reflect my character and make a statement.

• Cathy Kitty from Germany
• Channel: Canudoitcat
• Photographer: Ian Woodward (The Hooded Lens)
• Japanese Fashion is about its people. A crazy crowd of creative minds, expressing themselves in extravagant and bold ways.
• My youtube channel Canudoitcat is a crazy kawaii mix of fashion, friends and frilly fun. I want to inspire viewers to live the carpe diem way of fashion.

This is Part 2 of 2. See Part 1.