

Vogue Hommes Japan in it's second issue covered the full range spectrum, from American tribal trends to hot colors for spring. The American influence is shown as well as the European, and it's mixed well with a Japanese aesthetic and some showcases on Japanese designers too. Also notable is Hedi Slimane's photography making the look one of high fashion and style. The back also has a great "Legends" sketch each issue, most recently being; River Phoenix.

Popeye has been around for a long time. The magazine shows a bit of runway, a bit of outfit overload spread, and they showcase a lot of trends(something huge in Japan) in everything from denim and what's in and what's selling, to the style of how people are wearing clothing and the Japanese art of mastering a monthly outfit guide and not wearing the same outfit twice in one month. From rolled pants to cropped pants, canvas shoes, headwear styles and more they show trends that are being seen all over and ones still to catch on. They also try to do editorials where you relate the brands and pieces to everyday use and wear. There's typically good designer editorials and a lot of glossy skinny young models which gives it a bit of the high fashion mix or the homoerotic fashion feel (you catch the drift, androgeny being such a theme these days). A good read on seeing what is out there and where the market is heading.




Mens Non-No... here's another good one. Along the lines of a Popeye or a Men's Fudge. Men's Non-No is a bit of both of those publications and shows clean menswear as well as some great Japanese designer showcases. Another one of the glossy magazines with young skinny models. They have some great exclusive issues with brands like Xampagne and John Lawrence Sullivan from Japan and a lot of European influence from editorials with Paul Smith, Dior, Gvenchy and more of the luxury menswear brands.





2nd magazine is the ultimate in showcasing the American trends of preppy, nautical and camping... They show the best tote bags, the best camping packs, boots, boat shoes denim and more. The magazine is ahead of it's time and now America is catching on. Great collectible issues on denim and boots and more with guides and brands.
Japan is fanatical and very much ahead at the moment I feel in terms of creativity and retail within fashion and menswear. They've been taking American influence and classics and now a lot of European ones lately too, then recreating things in a way with quality and vibrance that is breathing new life into the old. these are just some of the magazines I suggest and the ones I've been on here in the states for I awhile. This has been shaping for some time now. You can really see the influence on things in the states and in fashion in general from what's coming on stronger and stronger all over. Don't sleep!