Anita
Leinert from the Detroit News brings us some interesting news: Honda Motor Company is looking to an
unlikely source for inspiration on Japanese style -- Gwen Stefani. Despite her American roots, Stefani has
been a lover of all things Japanese as of late -- in her catchy song "Harajuku
Girls," Gwen and bubbly backup vocals sing about the glamors of fashion found in the hip
Japanese district Harajuku, and the stagecraft behind her "Harajuku
Lovers Tour 2005" is a lovefest of Japanese culture and style. In her own clothing line (Stefani moonlights
as a fashion designer), Stefani incorporates Japanese design cues into her work to create something that is trendy.
The "trendy" part, along with Stefani's ability to make Japanese culture "cool" and accessible for young people, is what Honda wants to capitalize on.
"[Stefani's] clothing is a cross between Goth and lace, interjected with colors," Leinert quotes Honda senior product planner Christina Ra as saying. "There are other Japanese design cues, such as off-center angles. I expect a refined version of that cue may show up on a future Acura."
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
traviww @ Feb 8th 2006 1:47PM
oh brother....who the f@ck cares whats celebrities think
el-indiano @ Feb 8th 2006 1:47PM
i love you gwen!!!
call me.
Peter W. @ Feb 8th 2006 1:57PM
When it comes to Gwen Stefani... Something Positive says it best:
http://www.somethingpositive.net/sp04272005.shtml
http://www.somethingpositive.net/sp01192004.shtml
"Oh, are those your shoes? *Retch*"
Stefani's designs could be described as a neutering mass-production of Harajuku fashion. 3/4 of harajuku is actually supposed to be about personal expression through outlandish collections of crazy stuff that could have come from a dominatrix shop or a sanrio store. She took an original (and sorta cool) Japanese concept, americanized it into different-yet-tolerable 'alternative' american concept, and started cranking out the "uniqueness" by the rackfull.
I guess that makes her a perfect match for Honda of America.
I hope this doesn't mean we have to see her rubbing herself awkwardly over a Honda Fit or trying to coreograph her harpies around a Civic in a series of quick-to-age ads.
Luxury Larry @ Feb 8th 2006 2:02PM
maybe they'll make a new model with her style input called the HONKEY.
Sgt. Hulka @ Feb 8th 2006 2:27PM
How's about Paris Hilton? Wouldn't that just about cover the entire scope of "celebrity input"?
david @ Feb 8th 2006 2:43PM
oh god please no gothic loli cars...
Corey W. @ Feb 8th 2006 3:21PM
Why not use a well known Japanese celebrity?
The whole American defining Japanese style thing is kind of weird.
Puff Chippy @ Feb 8th 2006 4:13PM
This must be Honda's Japanese version of Fords "uniquely American style" that they've been marketing recently. Maybe that means Ford is on the right track? If I had to buy a Honda I'd appreciate not being reminded that it's Japanese.
JL @ Feb 8th 2006 4:15PM
It is analogous to pizza as Italian food, chop sui as Chinese to Americans!!!! This is a country of poor taste.
Ferguson McSqueege @ Feb 8th 2006 4:19PM
Gwen Stefani?
Prepare for Honda's cars to get even uglier.
VW-Guy @ Feb 8th 2006 4:33PM
MMMMMM, Gwen... I want those thighs wrapped around my head. Yummy.
Peter W. @ Feb 8th 2006 4:51PM
VW-Guy: What thighs? Gwen Stefani is twiggier than Pocky!
She is the epitome of creepy skinny white girl...
Only in America.... can a poor Italian girl turn into a rich Japanese kitty!
emanuel @ Feb 8th 2006 8:32PM
you sure her legs are that skinny??
http://img288.imageshack.us/img288/3961/stefani064eh.jpg
http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/624/fa2gwenstefani0257gn.jpg
http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/5742/gwenstefanigrsgq14wb.jpg
Lithous @ Feb 8th 2006 8:51PM
"As a way of emphasizing its Japanese heritage, Mitsubishi recently introduced a Japanese-language Internet ad for the 2006 Endeavor that includes English subtitles."
Translation: We are Japanese so buy our products like you do Toyota, you American dumbasses.