I got the most exciting news in my inbox this morning! Book of Deer has been blogged by one of my favourite bloggers, Sophia of Owl vs. Dove. Her blog has been on my daily reads roll for ages, it’s a great place to scoop the latest in Antipodean fashion… which I think is finally getting the recognition it deserves!
Check out what she wrote about Book of Deer HERE
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Japan’s poster girl of the Mori Girl movement is undoubtedly Yū Aoi 蒼井優. An actress/ model most famous for her role as Kimiko Tanigawa in the film Hula Girls フラガール, she solidfied her image as a Mori Girl idol when she was cast as Hagumi Hanamoto in the movie adaptation of cult Mori Girl manga Honey & Clover ハチミツとクローバー. She embodies that ‘awkward gamine’ look perfectly– ungroomed natural beauty, childlike features, sometimes boyish and usually dressed like a doll in billowy silhouettes and oversized cardigans. Here’s a little selection of Yū Aoi photoshoots, she is often shot doing your typical Mori Girl activities…. travelling, reading, daydreaming…eating pancakes.
Yū Aoi chanelling Anne of Green Gables?
Yū Aoi doodling
Yū Aoi making a mess
Yū Aoi posing with antiques
Yū Aoi colour coordinated with a flower truck
Yū Aoi reading
Travelling light Yū Aoi
Yū Aoi’s next big feature film will be the film adaptation of popular manga Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Roman Tan to be released this Summer. It will be a bit of a samurai gore fest but no doubt Yu Aoi fans will still flock to see her as doctor Takani Megumi.
Megumi Takani is affectionately known as kitsune-onna (female fox)
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As I explained in a previous post, Book of Deer’s Spring/Summer collection for 2012 was inspired by the Mori Girls of Tokyo.
Foxy
The ultimate Mori Girl accessory-- a Mori Boyfriend
The Mori Girl trend extends beyond woodsy, natural styling. In order to legitimately be classified as a Mori girl one must also embrace a slower, more wholesome way of life. A Mori girl has a quiet quality and an awareness of how she carries and decorates herself. She holds value in her surroundings and appreciates things that have unique character. She enjoys old fashioned crafts and hobbies and is quite happy in her own company. The Mori Girls are a sort of counterculture based on delicate indifference.
There is a checklist on the Original Mori Girl Choco’s Mixi community.… translated version found here
Some things on the checklist are a little vague…
✿ A girl with soft air about her
✿ Similar to Natural-kei fashion but with a little quirk
Some are quite specific…
✿ Loves pocket watches
✿ Prefers gold accessories to silver ones
✿ Likes to put round make-up on cheeks.
✿ If wearing sneakers, they must be slip-ons that are loose fitting and cute.
✿ Prefers cloth buttons to ordinary buttons
✿Wants to travel to northern Europe someday
While I wouldn’t say wannabe Mori Girls need strictly adhere to the checklist (some points are a bit ridiculous) it is an interesting reference for understanding the aesthetic of this subculture.
Given the quite expanisive requirements of true Mori Girlism It probably won’t surprise you that there is a style bible for the trend written by original Mori Girl and Mixi Group founder, Choco.
Choco’s Mori Girl fashion and style book
The book features pages of Mori styled fashion shoots depicting the ideal Mori girl activities.
There is a styled outfit for every season…This is the Spring look. You will notice a key element of the Mori Girl look is an excessive use of layering.
The book covers all aspects of Mori Girl life, from what socks are truly Mori…
To how to make your own Mori style necklace out of mini crochet doilies!
The book is an essential for all aspiring Mori Girls. However, as with all fashion subcultures the Mori girl look is constantly evolving so to stay truly on top of it you can follow tumblr pages such as popular Mori Girl tumblr: Oh Yeah Mori Girl
or check out my own Mori Girl inspiration board on the Book of Deer Pinterest, I promise it’s not all frills and beige smocks!
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