Fruits

Fruits is a collection of Tokyo street fashion portraits from Japan's premier street fanzine of the same name. Fruits magazine was established in 1994, by photographer Shoichi Aoki, initially as a project to document the growing explosion in street fashion within the suburbs of Tokyo. Over the last five years, the magazine has grown to cult status and is now avidly followed by thousands of Japanese teenagers who also use the magazine as an opportunity to check out the latest styles and trends. The average age of the kids featured in the magazine is between 12 and 18, and the clothes that they wear are a mixture of high fashion - Vivienne Westwood is a keen favourite - and home-made ensembles that when combined create a novel, if not hysterical, effect. This extensive collection of portraits represents a unique documentation of the changing face of street fashion throughout the last decade. Colourful, fascinating and funny, this is the first time these cult images have been published outside Japan.

Shoichi Aoki (b.1955) is a leading publisher and photographer of street fashion in Japan. In 1997 he established his much acclaimed Fruits magazine which to this day records and celebrates the freshness of Japanese street fashion. He is also the editor of the popular fashion magazines Street and Tune.

'A funny, funky look at Tokyo's street fashion ... Guaranteed to give you that happy-all-over feeling.' (Elle)

'Fascinating ... inventive.' (i-D)

'Will delight all dedicated followers of fashion.' (Glamour)

'What is exciting about [Aoki's] photographs is that he portrays teenagers' desires to express themselves through the way they dress. The originality and non-conformist attitudes they exude show little desire to follow trends. By taking in references as far flung as Blade Runner nihilism, Vivienne Westwood couture and Hello Kitty kitschness, Aoki's subjects pride themselves on creating a personal identity that is instantly recognisable as their own.' (Dazed & Confused)

Surprising

I have to say that this book really surprised me. At work the other day the cover of Fruits caught my eye. It looked pretty cool so I decided to sit down and take a look at it today when I got off of my shift. I was absolutely delighted at what I saw! Not only was the photography beautiful to look at but the short introduction at the beginning of the book basically summed up how I feel about fashion as a serious art form for people to express themselves. I also really liked the short interview questions and answers provided at the corners of the pictures that gave a glimpse into each person's mind and how they want the world to view them. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in fashion or has ever felt just a little bit different. I also feel pretty cool knowing that my purple hair isn't so weird after all :)