We have been discussing the latest fashion trends inspired by Japan and how it is affecting many different items of clothing including lingerie.  

Cristina Redondo, a Spanish girl, is surprised why everybody is talking about only Japanese kogals so much. She has spent a lot of time looking at a lot of pictures of kogals and thinks that their way of dressing isn’t so different from her own. (including the most fantastic lingerie designs that she saw in the magazines and websites from Japan). She has every item that her friends in Japan do except that no one thinks of her as a kogal.  In fact no one even thinks that she is imitating the style from Japan.  She theorizes that this is a bigger issue in Japan because Japanese people are so similar.  She complains, “While I dress exactly like a Japanese kogal, because I’m not Japanese, I’m not a kogal. I’m sure if I were Japanese I will be a kogal.”

In Spain the kogal style has really taken off.  Agatha Ruiz de la Prada, the Spanish fashion designer, has launched a complete line that is inspired by the kogal look.  While she admits that she is inspired by Japan, she has not clearly specified which one.  Anyone who knows the kogal look knows where she got her ideas from – not from the kimono-clad women in Kyoto!  And she is targeting the teenage girls in Spain by pricing them so that they are affordable.   Cristina has another complaint though.  Apart from not being called a kogal, she also gets into trouble at school.  Recently her high school teacher called her mother to make sure that she removes her four earrings in the left ear. (Related:  Cesar de la Parra)

Martina is so drawn to the Japanese kogal style that she now wishes she were born a Japanese.  “I've always loved the Japanese culture and I'm obsessed with all their cute Sanrio things, particularly Hello Kitty inspired lingerie. Almost all Asian girls I have seen are pretty.  By the way, I can't understand why the girls in Japan would want to look "western."  I'm afraid to tell my Asian friends about all this because they'll think I'm weird. My cousin goes through the same thing too and she as also amassed cute Japanese lingerie. If the majority of people at my school were Mexican I would have absolutely no problem dressing Asian or showing off my Hello Kitty stuff. But, the majority of people at my school ARE Asians. And I'm telling you; they DO NOT want to become "western" over here.  A few people my boyfriend knows (my boyfriend is Filipino) won't even talk to other students who are not Asian. I know I should be grateful for what God gave me but, I just can't sometimes.”

To all the gaijin kogals of the world, our message is:  Do not be discouraged because you are criticized or ridiculed or made fun of.  You are no longer a minority.  Thousands of women are already dressing like you and others are waiting to do so.  Be confident in what you are and MYNIPPON will continue to provide you with a forum to express what you feel.  

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