Secret Photoshop Agent and resident Fashion Icon Zoetica often has the staff at SGHQ asking, "What's Zo Wearing?" Her unique and eccentric style is a rallying call to those who suffer from mainstream malaise. (almost) Each week, she tells us how she's combined ordinary items to create her extraordinary look. Undaunted by unusual combinations, "What's Zo Wearing" is SG's answer to middle-of-the-road makeover shows.

Oh Japan. How will i ever get over you?

The trip was, of course, intense and wonderful. I was lucky to be there with someone who speaks excellent Japanese and was thus able to avoid an overly touristy Tokyo experience. There is much too much to tell so I'll stick to fashion here. No time was wasted and, armed with a list of stores prepared prior to departure, much shopping was done!

So, Harajuku. From my personal journal: It is an absolute fashion mecca for anyone who loves plaid, poofy skirts, tons of chains and D-rings. Anyone who subscribes to the punk rock/pre-fab goth/lolita style. I mean this is intense, peeps! There are at least 100 stores selling identical stripy sweaters, pre-stuck with tons of safety pins, little cheap chains dangling off them and patches aplenty. There is a distinctly downtown LA fashion district vibe here. Mountains of colorful frills alongside blackest of black gowns, laced with ribbons and embroidered with bats. Bonnets and tiny top hats - it's all here. All of it.

The problem for me is that i just don't like these looks (anymore?). It's entirely too HotTopic-y, too busy. We wore on, deeper into the belly of the beast, only to find either MORE stripy, plaid, batty, safety-pinned stuff, or gangsta tuna crap. I passed up several cute items thinking I'd find something more unique but to no avail. We'll be going back in a couple of days to retrieve them.

It's just become apparent that to find the really good stuff, i gots to keep digging, even here. I've found a couple of brands that suit my tastes, though. Great tailoring, complicated lines and prices that makes me only a little uneasy. I am simply too distinguishing, dammit!

At the end of the main strip stands a mall with 3 floors of higher end alterna-fashion. Much of it echoes more of the same but within lies a T. Kunitomo shop where i acquired a dress best described as an asymmetrical floor-length black thing, with a flap in which to keep a parasitic twin. There will be pictures, eventually. Kunitomo is one of the aforementioned brand discoveries, with Black Peace Now, where i got a fantastic zip up top and a stylized doctor's bag. And the endless, hypnotic, enticing, evil sock shops. As you might have noticed over the past year, i have a wee little sock problem and this trip was quite the enabler. I've made away with at least 30 pairs, and yes, i am serious.

Next week expect another Japanese WZW!

On to the pictures! These were taken in the beautiful Ueno park. We wandered, looked at shrines, drank beer, ate nikuman and chased feral cats.





























Do you like my giant sack?

Bag: Army surplus
Distressed sweater: Zen Mall, Harajuku
Goldfish dress: Circular accessories, Etsy
Gathered leggings: Some sock zone in Nakano, Tokyo
Shoes: Sketchers

Zoetica Ebb is a painter, SG style technician, alt. model, photgrapher & occasional cosmonomad. She's vowed to return to Tokyo someday. For further details, visit Zoetica's member page, or her portfolio website, BioRequiem.