Daikanyama Punyus Kicks

 One of the first things I did when I got to Tokyo was hit up Punyus, which if you've been following my blog you'd know I am obsessed with. Punyus is basically Japan's only fashion forward plus size store. It's not really all that plus size though, it goes up to about an AU 20 which is a USA 16 depending on the item. They have four sizes - size 1 which is like an AU size 6-8, size 2 which is an AU 10-12, size 3 which is an AU 14-16 and size 4 which is like an AU 18-20 (for the equivalent in USA sizing just minus 2 from each, UK sizing is the same as AU). I picked up these wicked tartan culottes that I'd been eyeing off in their online store as well as the cute white shirt I'm wearing and a Narutomaki jumper which I've shared on instagram. Above the ankle culotte style pants are a huge trend over here in Tokyo right now for winter teamed with cute socks and flats. I'm not a big pants wearer but I couldn't resist giving these a try and I'm glad I did, I got stopped in the street for photos a few times in this outfit - follow my snapchat @fashionhayley to get a glimpse into my daily life here in Tokyo and maybe you'll see just how often that happens (If I manage to remember to snapchat it haha) I guess I stand out with my pink hair and bright clothes?

Outfit details
Pink leather jacket Gorman
White shirt Punyus with DIY iron on patches from vintage stores around Tokyo
Red tartan culottes Punyus
Watermelon socks Gorman 
Pink Brogues Topshop
Backpack Fjallraven Kanken

 This shirt was actually just a plain white shirt from Punyus. The cut is really nice, it has these puffy sleeves I love but didn't photograph for you. Anyway I felt it was just too plain for me so I collected a few iron on patches from vintage stores in Koenji and had a little DIY session in the morning before meeting my friends for lunch in Daikanyama. It made me 10 minutes late but was oh so worth it don't you think?

 My flower ring and heart ring are from Paris Kids, a store in Harajuku where all jewellery and accessories are Y324. Well guess what? They now have an online store that delivers worldwide!

My Fjallraven Kanken backpack is still coming in handy this trip. They seem to be popular around Tokyo too, I'm always spotting them.

I will never stop loving these old season watermelon socks from Gorman! They look so cute paired with my pink brogues and red tartan pants - my new obsession is red and pink together.

Shop the look!!!

Jean Paul Gaultier at the NGV

I was lucky enough to be invited to the media preview of the seriously AMAZING Jean Paul Gaultier exhibition 'From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk' at the NGV. Deciding what to wear was a challenge, what does one wear to meet one of the worlds most high profile fashion designers? I had originally planned on wearing Breton stripes in honour of some of Jean Paul Gaultier's more iconic looks but unfortunately all my stripped tees were in the wash. So I went with my polkadot cropped top instead and I think it worked out fine.

There was an interesting panel discussion with the curators and Mr Gaultier himself and an old friend of mine, Andreja Pejić, Gaultier talked about his long time collaborations with Australian muses from Kylie Minogue, Nicole Kidman and to Pejic. Gaultier was the first big international designer to cast androgynous Pejic to walk for his Paris catwalk show. Gaultier is known for his diverse casting choices using plus size signer Beth Ditto as a catwalk model and casting Pejic as both a male and a female which propelled her into fame. As most of you are aware Andreja Pejic has recently undergone sexual reassignment surgery and is now legally named Andreja. She is currently making a documentary about that transition and her life, raising the needed funds via her Kickstarter campaign so please donate! The discussion covered everything from the food in Melbourne to coming out and discovering who you are. Gaultier was absolutely entertaining to listen to, you could hear the passion and joy in his voice he has for what he does. It was amazing to be in the same room as such a talent, something I will never forget.

Now onto the exhibition itself which features the first dress Gaultier created in 1971 to the iconic stage costumes Madonna wore for her 1990 Blond Ambition tour and more recent pieces from both his ready to wear and haute couture collections.

Animated mannequin faces, including Jean Paul Gaultier talk to you as you look at the exhibition.

Bringing the exhibition to life!

Diverse body shapes, something that Gaultier is passionate about.

Amazing to see Madonna's infamous and iconic cone corset's in person.

Amazing detail!

Another plus size mannequin.

No words other than WOW!

The exhibition is a must see for any fashion lover. Having the chance to see beautiful hand crafted haute couture pieces is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I was blown away.

#JPGNGV
Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk.
17 Oct  2014 - 8 Feb 2015
NGV

Check out the Friday Nights at Jean Paul Gaultier program for a list of dj's and art talks that are happening throughout the exhibition.

 In attendance at the media preview was the amazingly talented Tallulah from the Art Kid Tallulah blog. Tallulah's blog is incredible as is her eye for style, especially for someone only in year 7! I was so excited that she was invited to the media preview because her blog is incredible and she deserves the invite more than most. There as a very touching moment where she was overwhelmed by how amazing the exhibition was and how amazingly the media were treating Andreja Pejic and her transitioning story that Tallulah burst into tears. It's an issue close to her heart with friends at school coming out and being able to introduce Tallulah to Andraja was an amazing moment. Watch of for Tallulah everyone, she is sure to be the next teen blogger sensation of substance.

 My old friend Greta from FASHGIF was also there wearing the most amazing Comme des Garçons felt jacket and that Christopher Kane clutch. So stylish!

 Another guest was the always lovely Nicole from Circa Vintage whose bright pink hair caught the attention of Jean Paul Gaultier. Nicole's new book Style is Eternal will be released very soon but you can pre-order it now.

Leeyong Soo from Style Wilderness always looks amazing in her hand crafted and vintage outfits. I mean working at Japanese Vogue for eight years you'd have to be pretty stylish.

 What I wore. As I mentioned earlier I had planned on wearing Breton stripes with this look but I'm glad I didn't as they would have been a bit cliché .

Outfit details
Polkadot crop top Nice Claup from Tokyo
Black pinafore Alpha60 (old season)
Sunglasses Tsumori Chisato
Pom pom earrings Bubbles Harajuku
Faux fur bangle Bubbles Harajuku
Black 3D printed bangle Studio Batch
Necklace Min Pin
Egg socks Punyus from Tokyo
White flatforms Jeffrey Campbell (old season)
Backpack Opening Ceremony x Adidas from DFO South Wharf outlet

 I like that little hint of skin under my crop top on the side.

 The cropped top is this interesting square shape. #interesting

 My lipstick got a lot of compliments. It's Australis Velourlips Matte Lip Cream in Mal-li-boo pink.

 Not going to lie - I kinda hate how much this dress wrinkles!

 My backpack is one of the Opening Ceremony for Adidas pieces I got for crazy cheap at the Adidas outlet store at DFO South Wharf. I got it for only $45 and I'm obsessed with it.

Egg socks why not?

Punyus Pink Core

Long time no blog! This was the longest break I've taken in 7 years of blogging. I don't know if you've noticed but I've not really been blogging as often as I once did. Perhaps it's the 7 year itch? I've not been feeling as inspired to blog of late even though I've continued to take photos at events and of my outfits. So much of it is good content that I do really want to share with you but I've just not been able to get the words down and write. Bloggers block, is that a thing? Regardless of all that I am currently back in Tokyo, only 6 months on from my last trip here. If I could keep returning every 6 months then I would definitely be a very happy girl. Especially now that an AMAZING plus size store has opened up in Shibuya 109!!! Shopping for clothes in Tokyo has always been difficult for those above a size 8, even my skinny friends find it difficult as most shops only have one size, yep that's right, one size! So it is very exciting that Punyus, headed by famous Japanese comedian Naomi Watanabe who is famous for her Beyonce spoof performances. Punyus was my very first stop once we landed in Tokyo and I bought the above Strawberry print top and skirt that I had lusted after as soon as I saw them in the newly launched online store.

Outfit details

Strawberry tee Punyus

Strawberry skirt Punyus

White sunglasses Tsumori Chisato from Pet Shop Girls

Pink pom pom earrings Chip The Teacup

Unicorn necklace Giza by Mademoiselle Yulia from GR8 LaForet

Pink bangle Keep Resin

Strawberry socks Punyus

Nike roshe sneakers JD Sports

Pink fur backpack Bubbles Harajuku

What is most interesting about Punyus is that the store starts at skinny sizes and ends at plus sizes. So both straight sized customers and plus size shop and work there which is AMAZING. Why does plus size have to be separate? This is proof that it doesn't. The lookbook also shows Naomi Watanabe rocking the designs next to a straight sized model showing just how awesome both plus sized and straight sized girls can look in the clothes. I've seen just as many cool Harajuku skinny fashion kids carrying Punyus shopping bags or wearing the designs as I've seen cool fat babes wearing it too. The flagship store is at Shibuya 109 (B2 floor) and the line is also carried at parent company We-Go's many stores across the country. The line is only three to four sizes depending on the item. As I said Japan is used to one size fits all sizing so four sizes is a big deal. It starts at size 1 which is an Aus 6-8, size 2 is an Aus 10-12, size 3 is an Aus 14-16 and size 4 is an Aus 18-20. So no it's not incredibly plus sized but I guess the demand for that isn't just isn't there. I do see cute fat girls all the time and I've always wondered where the bloody hell they shopped for clothes in Japan and now thanks to Punyus I know where they will be shopping from now on. It's an exciting time for plus size fashion in Japan as there is also a recently launched plus size fashion magazine called La Farfa. Yes a whole magazine dedicated to plus size fashion in print! I bought a copy of the latest issue and can't wait to share some of the features with you soon.

Kawaii Koenji times.

White sunglasses Tsumori Chisato from Pet Shop Girls

Pink pom pom earrings Chip The Teacup

Unicorn necklace Giza by Mademoiselle Yulia from GR8 LaForet

Pink bangle Keep Resin

I still love this backpack with elastic straps I bought on my last trip to Tokyo. Henry has a very funny video of it bouncing away thanks to the elastic straps on his instagram, much watch!!!

Pink fur backpack Bubbles Harajuku

JD Sports in the UK sent me this awesome pair of pink Nike printed roshe sneakers to review (although they call them trainers over in the UK). They're so bloody comfy and go perfectly with my 'pink core' outfit, which is my version of norm core. Norm core is all about wearing plain muted pieces like turtle necks, denim jeans and teaming the look with sneakers, it's a look that is all over Melbourne right now. Well I could never tone it down like that, it's just not me. But I can take elements of the trend like turtle necks (the Punyus tee has a turtle neck) and sneakers but make them pink, loud and bold which is much more me. Pink core forever!

Strawberry socks Punyus
Nike roshe sneakers JD Sports