Tag Archives: Japan

Tokyo, Japan: Interview of Tomoko Inuzuka

TOKYO CITY GUIDE : SHOPPING / FASHION INSIDER

Toyo-Japan-Tomoko Inuzuka-Vermeerist Beams-1-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

– I think Japanese girls are all the same now.

Tomoko Inuza has a unique look for sure. Made up of Minnie‘s détails (yep Mickey Mouse’s girlfriend) and the creative outfits of the Indian fashion designer Manish Arora.

Tomoko is certainly his biggest fan. Humoursly, she said: “I want marry him“, a quick look at her Mickey watch. Tomoko and her husband Katsuhiro are the managers of Vermeerist Beams shop in Harajuku.

A kind of boudoir presenting a colorful outfits and accessoiries selection of Japanese and overseas fashion designers, like the great Manish Arora of course. Funny, Tomoko and I were at one of the shows of Manish at Cique d‘Hiver, without knowing each other! Small fashion world!

Toyo-Japan-Tomoko Inuzuka-Vermeerist Beams-2-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

– I was at Manish first show in the London Fashion Week, four years ago. Very Bright colors: I’ve bought few pieces very difficult to sell in Tokyo. 

Toyo-Japan-Tomoko Inuzuka-Vermeerist Beams-3-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

Tomoko regrets:

– Here young people have no energy and originality to get dressed. Three reasons: the parents buy their clothes. Magazines are bad: same styling, not interesting. Except the Nihon Vogue. And they spend all their money in mobile phones.

The grim reality? We laugh.

Toyo-Japan-Tomoko Inuzuka-Vermeerist Beams-4-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

– The hype Aoyama is the trendiest area in town to me,

says Tomoko. Where bash shops have incredible architectures. Her choice: Comme des Garçons, Corso Como and Loveless. And serious, Tomoko concludes with:

– Fashion is my life.

Toyo-Japan-Tomoko Inuzuka-Vermeerist Beams-5-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

Photos : Mademoiselle Le K – copyright 2014, tous droits réservés. 

Domo arigato Tomoko.  

Related posts :

Tokyo, Japan: A walk and coffee in Omotesando and Aoyama  

 

DESTINATIONSHOTEL REVIEWS & LIFESTYLE 

Four amazing restaurants in Tokyo

TOKYO CITY GUIDE : RESTAURANTS / DINNER

Tokyo-Japan-Restaurant-Keyakizaka-Grand Hyatt Tokyo-1-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

Keyakizaka

is one of the Grand Hyatt Tokyo‘s restaurants. This innovative Teppanyaki (literally “grilled on iron sheet”) features fresh seasonal meats, seafood and vegetables. The cuisine is a meeting between Japan and the world. I’m not a gourmet, but I can recognize an amazing quality of food. The cooking respects the original flavours of ingredients. Everything is light and tasteful, so perfect, including the dishes presentation. The atmosphere of the Keyakizaka is chic and laid back, with a cosmopolite young crowd. More: HERE.

DISTRICT: ROPPONGI HILLS

Kozue

Tokyo-Japan-Restaurant-Kozue-Park Hyatt Tokyo-Fuji San View-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

I was invited for a dinner at the 40th floor restaurant of the Park Hyatt Tokyo (yes, the famous hotel of “Lost in Translation”!), Kozue. I really enjoyed the delicious Japanese cooking and the fantastic view of Fuji San and Tokyo! Could you imagine eating in front of  Fuji San? This is an outstanding culinary experience. I also had a huge crush for the superb earthenware plates and dishes created by craftsmen throughout Japan. Beautiful dinner. More: HERE

DISTRICT: SHINJUKU 

Design Festa Gallery & Café 

Tokyo-Japan-Restaurant-Design-Festa-Gallery-Cafe-1-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

Two friends brought me in this crazy space (very organized too): the Design Festa Gallery & Café. This gallery building looks like an arty squatt with a café-restaurant. Exciting paintings on walls. Uplifting vibe, we felt so comfortable. The speciality: Okonomiyake that you cook on the hotplate in the center of tables. Well to be honest, I‘ve never liked Okonomiyake (lol), especially the Japanese mayonnaise. But I have to post a video showing how to cook it, because everybody loves Okonomiyake and I’m sure you will!

DISTRICT: HARAJUKU

Small Alley Near JR Shibuya Station

Tokyo-Japan-Restaurant-Shibuya Small Alley-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

As recommended by the insider, Dan Ushikubo, I went to “a very small alley near the main exit of the JR Shibuya station, where salary men drink sake and have dinner after work. Less famous, but very local”. I had a dinner with a westerner friend, expat in Tokyo, in a tiny restaurant: great experience! The food was okay (lots of tofu). Go there for the local vibe! More: HERE.

DISTRICT: SHIBUYA

Itadakimasu: bon appetit!

Photos : Mademoiselle Le K – copyright 2014, tous droits réservés.

I was a guest of the Grand Hyatt Tokyo and Park Hyatt Tokyo. Do I need to mention that all my opinions are mine? Yes they are!

Related posts :

 

 

DESTINATIONSHOTEL REVIEWS & LIFESTYLE 

Tokyo, Japan: A walk and Shopping in Harajuku

TOKYO CITY GUIDE : DISTRICT / HARAJUKU

Tokyo-Harajuku-Shopping-1-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

Takeshi-Dori,

the pedestrianized famous street of Harajuku, I‘m not a big fan for shopping. Cheap bazaar for teenagers and teens alduts. Each tribe has its own shop.

There are also H&M and cie… near the super famous La Forêt building: metro station, Meiji-Jingumae or Harajuku. Let’s go “crazy” and jump in this streets maze, to discover some interesting shops.  

Tokyo-Harajuku-Shopping-2-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

I liked Jack‘s Vintage Clothing

for some 50-60’s Rock‘n Roll vintage outfits, accessories and shoes for women and men. Really cool owner , also the leader of a Punk Rock band.

Have you ever tried a Japanese Punk Rock Karaoke? I DID! Kind of a blaze for my ears! But it was really fun too, Lol! For the complete adress of the shop: [email protected]

Stop at the next door in the very inspiring Nihon Manga Fetichist Shop: so what do you do after school or job? (pictures below).

Tokyo-Japan-Harajauku-Manga Girls-2-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

Myself and I become a Manga babe.

A trashy suga babe inspired by Japanse cartoons, with fluorescent pink and green lens. It started here in Tokyo years ago, as a Pokemon acid princess. “Oups!” : metallic eyelash fluttering, I stood on my 50 cm lemon platform shoes.

When I got in the shop, they  were shooting a flyer. Domo arigato gosaimasu to Aya, Coco and all the team. And if you are really sweet, maybe I will post a picture of me dressed up like a Manga doll, surrounded by all my supa supa cool Pokemon friends : )

Tokyo-Japan-Harajuku-Shopping-Beams-1-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

Then let’s cross Meji Street

to reach the underground fashion designers side and head at my Beams favourite concept store (which is more a gallery and bookshop): TOKYO CULTuART by BEAMS

Thank you Katsuhiro for the Beams shops guided tour! The toys for willing grown-up are extremely tempting!

I’m still a huge fan of the Transformer “Cyubu 01″ of Moderhythm (picture below) and colourful plastic mini bike monsters (pictures above), so great!

Tokyo-Japan-Harajuku-Shopping-Beams-2-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

Photos : Mademoiselle Le K – copyright 2014, tous droits réservés.

Informations

This post is not a shopping list, it is more to give you the different vibes of Harajuku. Metro sations: Meiji-Jingumae or Harajuku. 

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Chloé: The Show Spring-Summer 2011   

DESTINATIONSHOTEL REVIEWS & LIFESTYLE