Gyaru Spotlight: Ari Marie

 This (cross posted) Gyaru Spotlight is for Ari Marie! 

I met her around 2010 or so when she applied to a nago-sa project co-founded by me and LA. We didn’t give her a clear cut answer as the Chicago nago-sa/gyaru project was having internal issues that needed to be resolved first and foremost. Our bad for not being upfront about that when you applied. 

Your makeup and hairstyling improved so much over the years. I believe you went to cosmetic school as well, and you were gaining skills. How did that turn out for you?

Twinsies!

  

(Trigger warning for sensitive people)

You had asked me if being fat was illegal in Japan. As an American living in America and in an ethnic group with a different body beauty standard, and not familiar with the totality of Japanese beauty standards, I did not know what to say. I did not know, but I could tell that it was something that was troubling you.

However, I am glad that it did not deter you from getting into gal and having fun and meeting up with you many years later. And, despite things being misconstrued from me during our time apart in different gal circles, I am glad that we didn't beef or fight despite someone wanting us to.

I hope you’re doing well in your career, Ari.

Best wishes 

Stay tuned for more Gals int the Spotlight!

WCG's Spotlight

Interview: Laura Cioroianu

I came across Laura a few years ago when she sent me a friend request. She stood out to me due to her interest in gothic and visual kei fashion. She is from Romania and lives in Craiova and has appeared in quite a few news episodes due to her love for VK fashion style.

Lisha: Does your work or past education helped you with your inspiration or outfits?(for
example working at a job that helps you with a different aspect of fashion, or taking
classes about fashion design, etc)

Laura Cioroianu :

Since I have a nursing degree , my past education has really nothing to do with my inspiration for everything I am trying to do in a pleasant way.
I was a makeup trainer but volunteer for almost half a year in 2013 in a small makeup school from my city .

The experience from there helped me too and to like even more makeup and all of the things I am going now .

Also I will throw this month the first party from Craiova city , a show inspired by the visual kei music scene in Japan .
and I try to make this party more diverse, including a fashion parade with my interpretations by some street clothing styles in Tokyo .

I will use everything that needs from my personal clothes and all that it takes , for all the people for the parade from head to toe, including the decoration of the club . For now this show will be like a challenge for myself since I will take care of almost everything with my own money, which its really hard , but i am looking forward to see people reactions from this city .
If this show will be a success this will be the beginning only .


Lisha: Has anything in your childhood inspired you to dress up?

Laura Cioroianu : To be honest no , not at all .
I was such a tomboy many years of my childhood.

Lisha:What else besides Visual Kei inspires your outfits and style? What are your favorite
bands that you draw inspiration from?

Laura Cioroianu : Simply people . Every time I had the opportunity to meet someone really creative and unique I am so inspired .I feel so honored when I meet these kind of people .
I am inspired a lot also just by watching online pictures with ordinary people from Tokyo.
I like to admire their creativity and then i am trying to get a piece of what I like the most from them for my creations .

My favourite bands from many others from Japan are X Japan ,Buck Tick and Penicillin .
I draw a lot of inspiration from mister Hakuei the vocalist from Penicillin.
He was and still my all time muse when i want to create something related only to the Japanese visual kei scene of course in this case .

Lisha: Ah! Cool! What non fashion forms do you draw inspiration from?

Laura Cioroianu : Mostly my saddest moments and my dreams . When something negative happen to me I try to express & get away that sad feeling from my heart into creating something new related to art , doesn't matter if its makeup, a draw on a paper or inventing an outfit .


Lisha: That is a great idea!
I know that some places are apprehensive to people expressing themselves through wearable
forms of expression. How is it dressing in Craiova, Romania?

Laura Cioroianu : The world is pretty closed-minded here Craiova city but there are a lot of
wonderful people who support me a lot and I try to keep near those kind of people .
Actually one of the reasons that i want to trow that kind of shows like I told you previously , it is to create a place for all those people who don`t have the guts to dress however they like on the streets but they can at my shows .I want them to feel free and to say : At this kind of parties I feel me and noone isjudging me or the way my style is at all here .

Lisha: Have you traveled anywhere? Where would you like to go?

Laura Cioroianu : I went to Belgium , Germany and Nederlands
I would like to visit Japan so much in the future . I think its awesome there .

Lisha: What are some of your favorite hobbies?

Laura Cioroianu : Listening to music its almost like breathing for me, drawing sometimes , dancing & singing.

She has also subtitled her video clips from news channels.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JVxqfG6VRg

News Clip
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opCrca0Eb3c&list=UUCG5pBjot2NLnntXqEyXLyw

Kawaii International
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXdFB7nn3XQ&list=UUCG5pBjot2NLnntXqEyXLyw

WCG's Spotlight

Interview: Shigetomo Of MGX Factory

Shigetomo is a Japanese illustrator and designer, residing in Osaka, Japan. He likes to collect inspiration for his illustrations from Facebook and also collects vintage pictures books. In his drawn world, he creates big, alien eyed girls called Monster Girls with frowns on their faces, accompanied with cats or rabbits also with frowns and angry looking eyes. His colour scheme is centered on pastels and also polka dots he also takes inspiration from cats, rabbits, and mushrooms.

 He was inspired by graffiti design and typography. Shigetomo also has a café, inspired by East Germany.  He has created prints and also clothes with his work on them for sale. His design products range from t shirts, bags, prints for soap dispensers, and even has an iPhone app available to Japanese iPhone holders. He and his wife also design dolls, both having different from each other. He enjoys solo rides on his bike.

Book spotlight in a British book

Interview

Lisha: Good evening,  Shigetomo. It has been a while since we have talked. I have some (interview) questions for you if you have some time.

Shigetomo: Good evening!

L: I would like to know your inspiration for your works.

S: What sort of inspiration do you want to talk about?

L: Any type of inspiration from you is fine. Art, books, anything.

S: You mean, that… What I got inspiration from? I got it from old picture books and young fashion. And cat and rabbit, etc.

MGX shirt

L: Cat and rabbit? I don’t know if I know of them… (thinking they were specific characters or not) Real animals? (Your animals) look like cute stuffed animal toys.

S: Yes, real cats and rabbits. They are adorable! A lot of ideas come when I see them!

L: That’s interesting! Your drawn girls look kind of like the cats too. What do you think about Graffiti style? Some of your old art has a bit of the same feeling to it. Was it your inspiration before?

S: Graffiti is an interesting art that tested all kinds of typographies.

L: I think the world needs a bit of Monster Girl Graffiti in it! Who are some of your favorite artists?

S: Anime, Sci fi movies, Manga… I watched a lot of them. I like Evelin, Mark Ryden, Rita Ackermann and more. I like old European picture books. Especially Kuhn, Werner, and Klemke.

L: Thank you for the list! I like Rita’s work! Why are the girls “Monster Girls”?

S: Monster Girls are mysterious, strange emotion girls. Just look like they are mad or upset. Also, Monster Girls are made from mushrooms. They are mushroom people.

L: Interesting! I didn't know they were from mushrooms. So, What do you do when you do not feel very
creative? And were there any mentors for you, or do you have one now?

S:  I like mushrooms. I will read a book of mushrooms and fungi when ideas do not come to me. When you are in a café talking to friends is also a good idea to have ideas come to me.

I currently do not have a mentor. Before, I worked at a graphic design firm, but illustration was self taught.

L: Thank you for the interview! I really appreciate it!

You can also download the Monster Girl messenger app for your Android phone to send a cute note to a friend!

MGX App

Originally published for Columbia College Chicago, Winter 2013

 (Thank you to Hidenori Onishi for helping with the translation.
Photos courtesy of MGX and Yamamoto Shigetomo)