This look intrigues me and it’s a great example of the extremes Japan has to offer. The look is called Ganguro (ガングロ) and it’s an alternative fashion trend made popular by Japanese girls since about 2000.
Currently,as far as i’ve seen, Shibuya and Ikebukuro are the best spots to see chicks wearing this get up. I tried to get a photo with a few of these girls about 18 months ago but was promptly told to “get the fark out” to put it politely.
Ganguro starts at school for some which certainly adds some colour to sports day.
Hanging out in groups is a big thing for these girls, it also makes the effect that much greater.
The white make up with the heavy tan is a great contrast …. i actually find these girls quite attractive.
All images pulled from Widelec via Tumblr which has a heap more too by the way … pics of all different types aswell so be sure to visit Widelec
Like i said, i like the look, not sure whether the girls sporting it and i would hit it off socially but i do like the look, how about you?
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{ 32 comments… read them below or add one }
Fantastic shots, Neil -I’ve seen a few of their breed in Osaka and Kyoto but am always too unskilled to sneak a picture. I can’t imagine all the work that goes into creating this look day in and day out … I wonder if they get “time off”?
Their BREED? that could sound a bit… mean to some girls and guys who wear Ganguro style, ya know?
I didn’t realize they were sporting the ganguro look still. I thought it went out with loose socks!
I still see the loose socks on a daily basis …. maybe Hon-Atsugi hasn’t got the message that they’re out yet.
My students wear those socks. Thank god they not getting make-up tips from these girls
Some look attractive, other’s look like they belong in the mountains in front of a bubbling cauldron.
Do they hang out with other type of people? Or they just go out with Ganguro like themselves?
I think they pretty much hang with their own …. not that dissimilar to other styles that knock about together.
man i loves me a good Freakshow!
Is this really what young Japanese girls think black people look like? Going black face is considered in bad taste in the states. In fact, if you do go black face you might get yourself into a lot of trouble.
Although, I do find this fashion style to be very interesting. I bet these gals a lot of fun to hang out with. I wonder what black people think when they come to Japan and see all these young gals dressed up in black face?
I’m not sure what their intention is … maybe just an extreme look and i think they’ve succeeded in achieving it.
Looks like a bit of fun but the ones who over do it look like trannies..
God! I just realized that I see these girls all the time in Shibuya and it doesn’t phase me. Seeing this post got me thinking, Yeah, I still see this a lot. Hadn’t crossed my mind in the last couple of years that they’re still everywhere.
I think it adds mass amounts of colour …. i love it.
You ever just want to take a tissue and rub their face to see if it comes off? Seeing things like this is why I fell in love with NYC but all the freaks at St Marks have all but disappeared. Now you just have a lot of homeless people. So Japan is a new breath of fresh air (literaly). Halloween in the east village is my favorite time which only happens once a year but in Japan it is a daily occurrence. Keeps things interesting.
I’m not a fan of Ganguros, however, there are a few cute ones among those who use less make up. I can’t even imagine how much time they spend in front of the mirror each day ^^
What in the world? Japan seems like such an amusing place. I would have too much fun there but these people look ridiculous. Amusing still.
wah? amusing in a good way or bad way? and i love the fashion lol
Well Freedom, as a black guy, I think they’re not trying to look black at all. They just want to be different. And as a New Yorker, I could walk past them in the street and not take notice unless they tried to solicit me for something (-:
Loco
I love a tanned girl as much as the next fella, but i must say that some of these ‘Ganguro’ girls go way overboard on the skin color, i mean, come on!
Luckily i can get darker than most of them over the summer, except for the almost black ones ^^;
Overboard …… couldn`t agree more, some of them look right ridiculous … the less tanned ones are OK though.
Hi Neil,
I didn’t know they are still around. Are they also called yamamba? Could you kindly please email me? I would like to ask your permission to use the photos. Thank you very much.
Hi, not sure about the Yamamba, never heard of that. The photos came from this site, http://widelec.org/zdjecie,ganguro-street-fashion,2544.html please contact them for any use of the photos.
Thanks a lot , Neil. You are very kind. The site is in foreign language – totally greek to me! How did you get permission to post them? I am totally lost. I am not tech savvy, though.
Well i guess i just run by the same “rules” everyone else does. Credit the source with a link and all should be fine. As long as you don’t cut or edit the files and remove the watermark …. which has happened to me before. I had 40 or 50 sites link to my Quarter Pounder post and only 1 cut the watermark off … all others just used my images and linked back. Also, helps if you’re using the images just for a personal site. I don’t think people would like it much if you made $$$ off them!. Here’s a link to their “Kontakt” page …. http://widelec.org/kontakt.html
I would like to see them pull off that fashion in the middle of Harlem.
I absolutely ADORE the ganguro(and gosu-loli, but thats beside the point)! I wish that I could dress like that without my mother getting all mean about it. I loves it!
Same Kate … i think it`s pretty hot.
I’m sorry, but I just couldn’t help but notice: There is a marked difference between all the Ganguro Girl pics in the series and the last pic in the series. In all the previous pics there are enthusiastic displays of the peace sign. “PEACE!!” But in the last . . . not so much. “Uhm . . . yeah . . . peace . . .” One person is even hiding his/her face. lol. What’s up with that? Is it because of the black girl sitting there?
Good oberservations … but no idea why myself.
One thing i like bout japan is that their fashion are usually not linked to any kind of movement…its just fashion. All these teens will probably let go of their looks when they ae older and in need of jobs. Thats what usually happen here in Japan.
In Brazil, when i dyed my hair pink, i was treated like a punk, although i was not. They relate fashion to movements in my country… when i went to a heavy metal mall to buy some cds, i was mistreated. I never saw a link between my desire for changing my looks and any kind of movement…for me its just fashion!
ps- the girls in last pic r stoned
!? hehe
I absolutely love the style.
!
I always thought they were trying to get the “valley girl” look to the extreme.
I used to dress in the gosu-loli style but i got too lazy after a while. T_T
I don’t think I could pull off this look everyday either so for Halloween I’m dressing up as a ganguro girl! I’m very excited