Cosplay

That geeky Japanese past-time called Cosplay – dressing up like an anime character – has hit the mainstream. Last weekend, actress Kirsten Dunst was filmed prancing around geek Mecca Akihabara in Tokyo, dressed like an extra from Sailor Moon. Apparently, she was filming a music video. We can’t wait to see the results. Dunst isn’t the first celebrity to adopt the colourful mix of Harajuku street fashion and anime costume. Gwen Stefani turned Harajuku’s style tribes into a world-wide trend, marketing her own clothes and fragrances in the process. And in July, Tokyo had a visit from Lady Gaga, who quickly adopted Gothic Lolita style, Ganguro makeup, Hello Kitty and even traditional kimono style. Sadly, Japan’s entry to the Miss Universe pageant took the look too far last month. Her sexy Cosplay-style kimono was deemed too short – though it was just the kind of thing Lady Gaga might wear when she’s popping out to buy some milk.