Though the look had been popular in Japan for years, harajuku style was introduced to the mainstream North American media by Gwen Stefani with the launch of her solo career. The look is mostly Lolita-inspired, consisting of extremely colorful, whimsical pieces that give a nod to school girl styles and anime cartoons.
The 2013 version of this style is even more extreme. The school girl silhouette of a button-down blouse and a full, short skirt can be seen in bright, neon colors everywhere from fashion blogs to high-end magazine editorials. The updated version of the kawaii look sees extreme makeup and hairstyles as well, prompting cosmetics companies to release more fantastical, brazen products.
If you're not necessarily one for attention, but are a fan of all things kawaii, I would suggest a cute bunny-eared phone case or subtle accessory.
25 Killer Kawaii Looks

25
Extreme Harajuku
Tokyo's Street Movement Has Fashionable Shock Value

24
Pure Candy Sculptures
The Osamu Watanabe Collection is Appetizingly Sweet

23
Naughty Nails
Perez Hilton Finds Harajuku Girl With an Anatomical Manicure
22
Harajuku Heroines
'Gothic Lolita 2010' by Toxic Etiology is Cutesy With a Punk Edge
21
Decora-Inspired Editorials
The Harper's Bazaar Indonesia 'Harajuku-ers' Shoot is Vibrantly Funky
20
Eclectic Harajuku Fashion
The Schon! Magazine 'American Beauty' Stars a Vibrant Ashley Smith
19
Gloomy Harajuku Photography
The Dazed & Confused December 2012 Editorial Accents Eccentric Styles
18
Handmade Food-Decorated Jewelry
Etsy User 'SouZouCreations' Makes Appetizing Rings
17
Gangster Dollhouse Spreads
The Super Kawaii Shoot by Culture Magazine Toys with Childish Style
16
Delicious Dessert Jewelry
Kawaii Cute Japanese Ring Makes You Want to Bite Your Fingers
15
Lolita Makeup
Shiseido's Majolica Majorca Makeup Line is Manga Magnificent
14
Candy-Colored Harajuku Spreads
‘Boom Girls' by Lukas Dziewic is a Vibrant Pop of Retro
13
Japan Fashion Fetishism
Little Bo-Peep Chic
12
Harajuku Fashion Show Photography
Damon Casarez Covers the Dollyhouse Runway in Sweet Lolita
11
Adorable Animated Apparel
The 'Kawaii Not?' Dress Would be an Charming Look for a Holiday Party
10
Plush Toy Jewelry
Mochimochiland Creates Wearable Knitted Toy Art
9
Food as Fashion Accessories
These Floating Pizza Brooches are Kawaii at Its Best
8
Japanese-Inspired Kidswear
The Harajuku Mini Line is Designed by Gwen Stefani for Target
7
Psychedelic Cartoon Streetwear
The Stussy Spring 2013 Tees Feature Art Work By Keiichi Tanaami
6
Embellished Bunny Smartphone Sheaths
The Studded Rabito Case is Tough, Quirky and Super Kawaii
5
Picnic Food Press-Ons
Kawaii Nails Offers Extensive Range of Strange Nails
4
Crystal Anime Accessories
Sparkling Cartoon Creations by Swarovski
3
Updated Harajuku-Chic Campaigns
The Armani Fall/Winter 2012/2013 Film Gets Lost in Translation
2
Meal-Holding Jewelry
The Kawaii Food Ring Displays a Miniature Tray Size of Edible Snacks
1
Harajuku-Inspired Footwear
The Agyness Deyn x Dr. Martens Second Collaboration is Underway
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Anime Franchise-Inspired T-Shirts
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Horror Manga-Inspired Graphic Tees
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Cartoon-Inspired Cafe Overhauls
Sanrio's Kuromi Has Inspired the New Hypebeans Cafe Aesthetic
Streetwear Experimental Kids Capsules
The Ksubi 'Kids' Collection Arrives Ahead of the Holidays
Filmic Skater Shoes
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Anime-Inspired Fashion Collections
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Whimsical Jelly-Style Eyewear
Gentle Monster Releases the New GENTLE JELLY Collection
Runway-Inspired Fashion Dolls
New York Fashion Week Designs Inspire the L.U.V. Fashion Doll Styles
90s-Style Cosmetic Cases
e.l.f. Cosmetics x Caboodles and Laurel DeWitt Created a New 'It Bag'
Modern Women-Exploring Luxe Fashion
The Fendi SS24 Series was Unveiled on the Runways
Humorous Collab Fashion Campaigns
Barbour and Maison Kitsuné Launches a New Campaign
Vibrant Children's Fall Fashion
nununu Recently Launched Its Fall 2023 Capsule & Its Eye-Catching
Artistic Apparel Illustrations
UNIQLO and Kenshi Yonezu Team Up to Make Creative Graphic Tees
Lovable Cartoon Cat Apparel
Forever 21 and Sanrio Debut Their Collaborative Valentine’s Day Line
Runway-Inspired Fashion Dolls
The Styled by KidSuper Ken Doll Sports Boundary-Pushing Streetwear
Playing Card-Themed Apparel
Nintendo Launches a New hanafuda Product Collection
Digital Pet-Inspired Streetwear
The BAPE x Tamagotchi Collab Delivers Nostalgia with Style
90s Toy-Themed Fashion
The Cakeworthy x Furby Collection Pays Tribute to a 90s Sensation
Anime Merch-Inspired Apparel
Levi's Launches a New Collection Inspired by Mobile Suit Gundam
Experimental Denim Collections
The Ksubi Fall 2023 'Youtopia' Collection is Modern Art-Inspired
Pop Art Legend-Honoring Dolls
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Fashionable Eye-Catching Sock Designs
Sumomihi Offers a Line of Stylish Socks That Will Turn Heads
Sashiko Stitched Intricate Sneakers
Various Brands & Sashiko Gals Join Forces on Dynamic Designs
Spooky Back-to-School Footwear
Keds x Monster High Shares the Styles of Favorite Characters
Body Artwork-Inspired Fashion
Jean Paul Gaultier Presents the Body Tattoo Apparel Designs
Cartoon Kitty-Themed Capsules
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Whimsical Patterned Diverse Fashion
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Fashion Dolls-Inspired Cosmetics
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The Hello Kitty x Kitsch Collab Features Styling Essentials
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Kaptain Sunshine Presents its New Range for the FW23 Season
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Japanese-Inspired Outdoor Apparel
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Playful Cartoon Apparel
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Anniversary-Commemorating Cat Watches
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