Our brief discussion about orientalism and exoticism made me think immediately of Gwen Stefani's "Harajuku Lovers" line and her Japanese-themed album LAMB (with accompanying "Harajuku Girl" entourage). I think this is one of the perfect examples of taking a culture completely out of context and revamping or even Americanizing it in order to fit our ideal interpretation (dare I say, fetish?). Harajuku is often regarded as Japan's fashion capital, a place where young people dress up in various different styles and gather together. However, having friends who participate in keeping up with the funky Japanese trends and also having been to Harajuku myself, I feel as if Stefani's interpretation of the Harajuku street fashion grossly misrepresents the culture itself. Her Japanese entourage (which she named Love, Angel, Music and Baby) obediantely accompany her everywhere, decked out in Stefani's idea of Harajuku fashion. As written in an article I once read titled "Gwenihana" by MiHi Anh, "She's taken Tokyo hipsters, sucked them dry of all their street cred, and turned them into China dolls." (PS: In the Harajuku Fragrance advertisement, what's wrong with using an Asian model if they're so into depicting Japanese culture??!!)

Gwenihana Link