Fruits (magazine)
3186269
216962771
2008-06-04T00:22:22Z
71.58.52.136
removed some blatant POV-pushing + opinions; article still needs lots of work
{{Inappropriate tone|date=December 2007}}
{{Infobox Magazine
| title = Fruits
| image_file = FRUiTS_No_95.jpg
| image_size = 200px
| image_caption = Cover of issue 95.
| editor =
| editor_title =
| staff_writer =
| frequency = Monthly
| circulation =
| category = [[Harajuku]] [[fashion]]
| company =
| publisher = [[Shoichi Aoki]]
| firstdate = 1997
| country = Japan
| language = Japanese
| website = [http://www.fruits-mg.com/ Official site]
| issn =
}}
'''''Fruits''''' (written "FRUiTS") is a [[Japan]]ese [[fashion magazine]] covering the fashions of the [[Harajuku]] district of [[Tokyo]], established in 1997 by [[photographer]] [[Shoichi Aoki]]. Excerpts from the magazine were compiled to create the Phaidon Press books ''Fruits'' (2001) and ''Fresh Fruits'' (2005).
An exhibition of Aoki's photographs for the magazine, developed by the [[Powerhouse Museum]], has toured museums in Australia and New Zealand.<ref name="powerhouse">{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Fruits: Tokyo street style - photographs by Shoichi Aoki | work = Powerhouse Museum | publisher = | date = | url = http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/exhibitions/fruits.asp | format = | doi = | accessdate = 2007-01-20 }}</ref><ref name="southland">{{cite news | last = Levermore | first = Elizabeth | title = Fashion and fiord mix it up in exhibit | work = The Southland Times | pages = 15 | date = [[January 20]], [[2006]] }}</ref>
==Themes==
The photographs document the individualistic styles young people wear around the [[Harajuku]] district of [[Tokyo]]. If there are identifiable themes, they can broadly be described as fun, original, authentic, and the recording of emerging social trends and technology. The message seems to shout through the repetitive format of these photos; a modern person head to toe in the foreground against an urban backdrop: "You are the best stylist to express yourself".
==Fashion coverage==
{{main|Japanese fashion}}
The homegrown Japanese fashion covered by ''Fruits'' is similar to most modern global [[street fashion]]s. The look of the fashion in this magazine is eclectic and diverse, making it hard to categorize this magazine to a specific genre. That said, the "''Fruits'' look" could be summarized as combining traditional Japanese styles of dress with an irreverent approach to modifying and combining elements of clothing, accessories, and technology.
''Decora'', also known as "Decoration" or "Decora-chan", is one of many street fashions showcased by the magazine. It consists of colorful clothing and [[Fashion accessory|accessories]] from head to toe. The style is sometimes mistakenly called "Fruits-style" by people outside of Japan.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} ''Decora'' clothing is simple, and the accessories include plastic toys and jewelry, which click together and make noise as the wearer moves.<ref name="powerhouse">{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Fruits: Tokyo street style - photographs by Shoichi Aoki | work = Powerhouse Museum | publisher = | date = | url = http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/exhibitions/fruits.asp | format = | doi = | accessdate = 2007-01-20 }}</ref><ref name="manuwatu">{{cite news | last = Dibble | first = Fran | title = Barbie Meets Punk | work = Manuwatu Standard | pages = 16 | date = [[March 19]], [[2004]] }}</ref>
==Compared to other styles==
The fashion styles showcased in ''Fruits'' have a parallel concerning the disregard to conventions that [[Punk ideology|punk]] takes to the extreme. However, unlike the punk movement, there is less, if any, of a political agenda expressed by "Fruits."
''Fruits'' photographs styles which are distinct from [[Cosplay]], which is a hobby where people dress like their favourite manga, anime, or video-game character.
==Inside a copy of ''Fruits''==
The inside contains very few ads, most of which are to advertise a shop in [[Harajuku]]. The pictures take up the entire page, except for a white bar at the bottom which breaks down the person's outfit piece by piece to tell the reader where it was purchased (or in some cases, who made it), explains the "point of fashion" of the outfit (the main focal point of the ensemble), and gives a brief description of the person's age, social position, and interests. The back may include an interview with a staff member at the magazine. The very back shows reader-submitted pictures.
==See also==
*[[Street Fashion]]
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
*[http://www.fruits-mg.com/ Official site]
*[http://www.livejournal.com/community/fruits/ Fruits Fan Community]
*[http://www.abc.net.au/rn/arts/nightair/stories/s788802.htm Discussion with the founder of FRUiTS Magazine]
*[http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/exhibitions/fruits.asp Fruits Exhibition at the Powerhouse in Sydney]
[[Category:Japanese magazines]]
[[Category:Fashion magazines]]
[[Category:Japanese fashion]]
[[Category:Monthly magazines]]
[[Category:Japanese subcultures]]
[[sv:FRUiTS]]