Slashies. Everyone loves them. Whether it be the artist slashmusician, the sommelier slash affineur, or my personal favourite the actor slash model, they warm our hearts with their eagerness to please and an unflappable ability to multitask.
Bursting onto the slashie scene this week is the fashion super power Ksubi, gathering up our expectations and smashing them into a little ball of smashed expectations at their art slash music event. The fashion house hosted an Australian first on Wednesday night, under the guise of “Big in Japan” bringing together a multitude of contemporary performers, predominately from Japan, for a night of weird noises, doves in giant mosquito nets and Harajuku girls.
Bringing together artists and fashionistas alike, blurring the fine line of creative and downright crazy they proved that art oughtn’t be without style, and fashion can mean more than a pair of ruched tights.
Fashion took a back seat to a staggering array of talent and bright wigs as the Carriage Works in Redfern was transformed by the who’s who of the Japanese underground scene. One of the standout players, both in terms of their achievements and literally with her bombshell blue hair, and proving that no one does cool quite like Japan, is Mademoiselle Yulia.
Straddling the art and fashion realms with deft style Yulia understands the relevance of being multi-faceted in order to appeal to a wide range of audiences. “I currently have a blog, write for magazines, have a television program, and my (accessories) label, Giza. If people are watching me, especially the young people of Japan and being influenced in a positive way then I am happy. A lot of Japanese youngsters are reluctant to express themselves, so I don't hesitate to get involved with every opportunity that comes my way in the hope that it may show them what is possible, & inspire some others to do the same.” Explains Yulia. It seems that this approach has paid off with exposure through a number of mediums. “I guess being a regular on the street style blogs really helped me gain international recognition— & even though my work is getting bigger I am just really grateful for the style blogs as that was where it all started!”. Although like all true slashies, Yulia is realistic about her strengths, remarking, “Fashion is the most important thing to me! I actually used to think I wanted to be a designer, but noticed I am much better at wearing clothes than making them!”
“We are just having fun doing what we like doing, it’s natural to us, we don’t think about shocking people, but if people can have fun with that then that would be great” say Japan’s Trippple Nippples. A delicious high-energy slick of electro, dance and all-out J-pop, the Trippple Nippples aren’t ones to be missed. Having already collaborated with accessories label “Make Believe” and played some of the most desirable parties around including the Japanese Fashion Week closing party with Marc Jacobs, Ksubi have showcased their strengths at picking a truly eclectic, unique act in Trippple Nipples.
We’re a fickle lot, us Sydney-siders. Not so easily impressed, resistant to change and often hoping to challenge our idea of fun. I believe that half of Sydney was actually present to bear witness to this event, and I don't think I’m alone in saying that Ksubi have achieved a rare thing with Kirin Big in Japan .