Forever 21 in Harajuku - this season’s cheap-rich look

Reading the latest Japanese fashion magazines, it seems like the Japanese are buying into some imported style. American clothing retail chain Forever 21’s debut in Tokyo’s fashion district, Harajuku, back in Spring 2009 had quite the turn out at their grand opening event. With a bargain-promising slogan, ‘Love 21, Sophisticated Style at a Price You Can’t Pass Up,’ almost 2000 people recessionistas* waited in line to glamour-up at low cost.

The Japanese have come up with the term ‘安リッチ,’ which literally translates to the oxymoron ‘cheap-rich’ - I guess it’s kind of like when little girls put on toy tiaras and pretend to be a princess, but it’s adults just playing ‘dress-up to look rich’ by accessorizing themselves with runway style designer imitations. Forever 21 also has a store in South Korea.

* Recessionista (recession + fashionista = A person who is able to stick to a tight budget while still managing to dress stylishly)

- Click here to view Forever 21 Japan’s website.