DISGRASIAN OF THE WEAK! Gwen Stefani’s Harajuku Mini For Target Collection
I know, I know. It’s just a clothing line! Lighten up! And it’s so kawaii as the ads keep telling me, forcing the word on me like a pacifier to the lips of a crying, reluctant babe. (Wouldn’t be surprised if Gwen Stefani had tried to trademark the Japanese word for “cute” some time in the last 5 years or so. She’s already pretty much got “Harajuku”–the name of a Tokyo neighborhood–locked down legally.) And look, the Harajuku Mini for Target children’s clothes collection, which launches Sunday online and in stores, is “kawaii,” in a “What if a little panda cub who was part skater-punk threw up and it looked like lollipops and rainbows?” sorta way.
But, you know, I can forgive, but I can’t forget. Wait, who am I kidding? I can’t forgive either! Because when I see this ad plugging Gwen Stefani’s latest business venture…
…all I see is this:
And that is still, always, and forever whatever the Japanese word for “bullshit” is.
[The Stir: Gwen Stefani Harajuku Mini Arrives in Target Sunday!]
Filed under: Bizarre Misappropriation of Asian Culture by Talentless White Girls, Children's Clothing, Clothing, Free the Harajuku Girls, Gwen Stefani, Harajuku Haters, Harajuku Lovers, Harajuku Mini for Target, Kawaii, Panda Vomit, Target, This is Bullshit
I’s say 「ふざけるな」！
Some points and observations:
* What’s with the hamburger shaped logo? What do burgers have to do with pseudo-Japanese style?
* “Kawaii” is one of those words, like its English equivalent, “cute” that are what they describe. The word itself is just adorable, causing an almost-Pavlovian smile. That is, it usually does. Not here.
* Of the four pix of the “team”, the post-b-ball, white girl stopping by to deliver a pizza one is okay. The other three, however…Why are the models made up to look like clowns? And what’s with the neck towels?
* Those cartoon characters’ eyes look like tadpoles. It disturbs me.
* The actual kids in the ad do look good. The one with the hammer reminds me of the movie “Clueless”.
The hamburger logo reminds me of the old Burger King logo.
Uh, using humans as *essentially* accessories is totally inappropriate. Even if they aren’t dressed up in their “Harajuku” outfits.