For The Just Kids Issue, i-D Fashion Director Charlotte Stockdale and photographer Norbert Schoerner headed to Japan with Karl Lagerfeld and Chanel’s iconic Little Black Jacket.
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Earlier this year i-D joined King Karl Lagerfeld in Japan as he filled the recently devestated country with fashionable flower power. Stepping into sakura (桜), Japan’s cherry blossom season, whilst in town Karl demonstrated the positive force of fashion with a trio of events; the Little Black Jacket exhibition, the SS12 haute couture show and party starring Azealia Banks. Inspite of the city’s battles with Mother Nature, Tokyo was packed with optimism. Inspired, i-D selected some of the city’s most exciting, wide-eyed and wonderful youngsters, slipped them into little Chanel black jackets, adorned them with the house’s famed white camellias and got chatting. From left…
U, Staff member at Faline Tokyo. Describe yourself: Rock, punk, head, black, fetish. What do you love about Karl Lagerfeld? I love how he’s willing to feature good things even if they are unknown! Also, he’s a walking advertisement! Why is Chanel so popular in Tokyo? The Chanel logo is a woman’s everlasting dream.
Kozue Akimoto, Model. Describe yourself: Black hair, bangs, cat-eye, free, party girl. What do you wear when you’re out partying? When I go to parties I wear the clothing from the brand that the party is for.
DETTO K, Artist. Describe yourself: Purple, original, jewel, justice. What do you love about Karl Lagerfeld? His hairstyle. What do you wear when you’re out partying? Hip-hop clothes.
Dan Bailey, photographer and founder of tokyodandy.com. Describe yourself: Son of Paul and Lorraine. What do you love about Karl Lagerfeld? His honesty, longevity and the quote, “It’s up to you to make everyday as perfect as possible. It’s a question of will and discipline.”
PELI, DJ/Stylist. Describe yourself: black, tenacious, humanly, “he that would know what shall be, must consider what has been”, bisexual. What does the Little Black Jacket mean to you? It’s unswerving and goes well both in a feminine outfit and a mannish outfit.
GWNS MADOKA, DJ/Performer. Describe yourself: heavy make-up, orange hair, flashy, loves overseas, loves clubs. Why is Chanel so popular in Tokyo? I think it’s because it has such an astounding elegance and it’s very cool. Especially to the youth.
Lisa Tsuzuki. Describe yourself: making, cats, antiques, dolls, family. If i-D was visiting Tokyo where would you take us? Nakamichi Street of Kichijoji. Where do you like to go dancing in Tokyo? I’ve never danced.
JOE, Founder of tokyodandy.com. Describe yourself: Shy, stubborn, soft, TOKYODANDY, shimanchu (Okinawan for Island Person). What do you wear when you’re going out? I don’t think my style changes much whether I go to a party or not. Lately the item I’ve been using a lot is an AMBUSH® collar. If I really like an item, I’ll wear it everyday. But once I get tired of it, I stop using it.
Keiko Tanaka, 26, Nailist. Describe yourself: Always at my own pace. What will you wear with your Little Black Jacket? I would like to wear it with shorts. What do you wear when you’re going out? I don’t go out.
All wear black jackets and white camellia brooches by Chanel.
Photography: Portraits courtesy Katie Lyall and Charlotte Stockdale. Bottom image courtesy Norbert Schoerner for The Just Kids Issue, more from the story here.
