Cropped Heads Long Sleeve Shirt

Jun 02 2008

organ cropped heads long sleeve shirt

Most people have heard of the geisha, the nightshift women who entertain Japan’s wealthy and elite. Their classy behavior and dedication to the arts have gained them respect and reverence throughout Japan’s storied history. And also helped inspire one of the most terrible forms of Hollywood Orientalism ever. Just try sitting through five minutes of Memoirs of a Geisha — it’s like holding your pee while taking a crap.

Lesser known are the tayuu, or oiran courtesans. These entertainers are like the Rolls Royce of playmates, putting the average geisha on par with a pre-owned Le Baron (where were these car analogies when I needed them in college?!).

Cropped Heads is what clothing brand Organ is appropriately calling this long sleeve shirt. The woman on the back, as you might of guessed, is one of those pricey tayuu court ladies. But it looks like her date with OJ didn’t end so well, because I’m pretty sure that’s her severed head on the front of the shirt! Actually, the woman is from a famous Japanese ghost story. Think Pretty Woman meets Dawn of the Dead.

I love the negative color scheme used for the shirt. It really punches out the colors and lines. When I first looked at the design, it kind of reminded me of some Yak-style tattoos. I’ve always found it funny how lots of ultra-macho Yakuza feel totally comfortable with inking chics and flowers all over their body. You’d think there’d be a strict adherence to dragons and swords. I guess that’s Japanese culture for you.

10 responses so far

If The Dragonbeard DX 502 Was A Car

May 27 2008

Dragonbeard DX502 Shoes

What could have possibly inspired shoemaker Dragonbeard to create this utter monstrosity of fashion? It’s like they hired the Pontiac Aztec design team and then invited teenaged drift racing fans to choose its colors. If this shoe was a car, it would drive through a circus tent and clowns would tumble out of it.

Sure, I’ve gone on record as not being the biggest fan of the company, but their shoes have become quite a mainstay on the Island and it’s impossible to ignore their proficiency at churning out interesting styles. So I’m really hoping this is just one of their edgier designs and not some trend we’ll see more of after this summer. I mean, just looking at the heels on these fuglies makes me want to splash White Out in my eyes!

One response so far

Red Pepper Jeans: Feature Loaded Denim

May 19 2008

Red Pepper Distressed Denim

I’m loving all the details worked into these Red Pepper jeans. The stitching, zippers, studs, and chaotic distress patterns are the kinds of features that you’d expect from a highly stylized pair of Japanese jeans.

The look is reminiscent of LA’s denim scene, and in certain ways Osaka can be seen as the West Coast equivalent for streetwear fashion in Japan. In comparison, Tokyo often shows a more sophisticated and conservative dress code that can be found in world cities like New York and Paris. Indeed, the rest of Japan seems to think that the people of Osaka lack refinement in both their dress and mannerism – and Osaka’s dwellers hardly disagree! Known for their loud, expressive and somewhat aggressive behavior, Osaka remains true to her merchant roots, and what these people seemingly lack in taste, they compensate with personality and humor.

Like, if a 50-year old Mama-san wearing shredded jeans and a shirt covered in skulls and pistols wants to know if you’re waiting in line or simply loitering near a checkout till, she’ll likely elbow her way past you muttering something about your greasy forehead and nauseating odor. And god bless her. This is the real Osaka they didn’t mention in the travel brochure!

14 responses so far

Boycott Presents: The Man-Bag

May 14 2008

mens designer bags Boycott in black

Trust your masculinity? Then it’s time to consider a man-bag! This classy Boston-style bag from Boycott resembles more of a stylish gym bag than a ‘handbag’, as some people might stubbornly call it. With the usual attention to details, like side pockets for your gadgets and a large zipper for easy access to your stuff, this bag is not only meant to compliment your savvy looks but also be highly functional. The carryall is made of cotton, comes in three colors and is purportedly quite durable.

But unless you’re situated right near a major fashion center, you may want to consider topping off your man-luggage with a couple copies of Maxim, a 6-pack of beer and a some random construction tools. For you never know what your jealous co-workers might say if they caught you pulling out a battery powered hair dryer and some Biore zit strips – keep that stuff on the freakin’ down-low!

Accessories for men need to be taken seriously; you shouldn’t have to act all awkward and uncomfortable when another man asks to check out your goods. Instead, you should confidently make your way from the showers to the locker room and proudly show off your man-bag. Masculinity secured!

2 responses so far

Levi’s Vintage 201 Jeans – $33,000

May 12 2008

Levis 201 authentic vintage denim

These authentic Levi’s 201, No. 2, 1911 style jeans are being sold for a cool $33,000 – a bargain price, the seller claims. This low-ounce selvedge denim features suspender hooks and an adjustment buckle on the back. The stitching is linen and the patch is made of fabric (not leather).

Obviously these jeans are still in wearable condition and have a lot of nice distress marks that I’m assuming Napoleon or Jesus or whoever was around back then didn’t much care for. If only they knew what we know now: Never, ever throw anything out! The stylish ditch diggers of a hundred years ago could never of imagined how their streetwear tastes would one day shape the fashion world.

Soiled Speedos from your European vacation? Ziplock and store in fridge. Cheetos stained Alf shirt with suspicious dried urine blotch? Insure for $5k. We’re talking potentially priceless artifacts here – literally treasure for your grandchildren. Just think, it’ll be like handing out gold nuggets at your funeral, except in a Salvation Army kind of way. BAM! Another killer Osaka Nines idea. I’m going pay-per view with this blog. Who’s with me?

One response so far

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