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Fashion is a universal part of all societies. Whether you live in a country with
an emperor or queen such as Japan or the UK, or a republic such as the US, deep interest
in fashion is obvious. From the heart of big cities to small settlements, people follow
fashion as if it represents a religious faith. In Japan, fashion is a tool of self-expression
for young people. This is especially true for teenagers, who usually wear uniforms during
junior and senior high school days. For this group, it is truly exciting to be dressed
in fashionable clothes on the weekends. Young people choose their clothes in different styles
in order to show an association to a group. International fashion brands understand this
interest, and m ajor and minor fashion houses from all over the world have annual shows
in Japan. Some of the popular places where fashionable girls gather are Harajuku, Shibuya,
and Shimokitazawa. Each place has its own mood, and the fashion of the people slightly
differs. Harajuku is a popular place for getting one s hair cut and styled. Here, many people
dress in original fashion and often have unique hairstyles. Some dress all in white and look
like angels; occasionally, others look as if they have escaped from hell. In Shibuya,
people dress in more contemporary clothing, and in Shimokitazawa, people come to shop
at used clothing stores in order to buy a one-and-only bag or dress. These shopping
areas have recently become popular with people from other countries. Fashion-conscious, overseas
visitors make it a priority to visit these areas when they come to Tokyo. During the
past few years, Japanese fashion has spread to many other countries. However, the biggest
effect can be seen in the United States. Fashionable styles from Japan are well liked by many famous
stars such as Lady Gaga, Gwen Stefani and Paris Hilton. A number of stars visit famous
shopping areas upon their arrival in Japan. Many have favorite stores and go there every
time they come. In addition, some Japanese clothing brands have joined up with famous
fashion stars in America. For example, Paris Hilton produces her line of clothing with
a brand name called Honey Bunch. There is even a branch in the famous fashion mall Shibuya
109. This shows how Japanese fashion is getting more attention from outside the country. Some
people question the place of fashion in society. They ask if it is appropriate for young people
to spend time and money on something that is really not needed. After all, a fashionable
umbrella or raincoat will keep you no drier than one less fashionable. These people point
to the children in poor countries who work long hours in factories under hard conditions
in order to make our fashions. They ask if we can justify spending money on fashion when
severe hunger exists in the world. They wonder if we ought to give this money to charity
instead. In spite of these concerns about the position of fashion, interest is unlikely
to fade. As mentioned above, fashion is a universal part of all societies. It has probably
been so for a long, long time.