Decora originated in the Harajuku area of Tokyo in the late 1990s and gained popularity especially in the first decade of the 2000s. The style is colorful and maximalist, heavily relying on do-it-yourself culture, where you make or modify the clothes and accessories yourself. The idea behind the style is playing with fashion and expressing your personality. Decora is recognizable for its abundance of colors and accessories, such as bracelets, toys, and hairpins. Japanese artist Tomoe Shinohara served as an inspiration for the style, and the FRUiTS magazine brought Harajuku and decora to a Western audience.
“I learned about decora in the early days of my hobby, maybe around 2009. I’ve always used clothing as a means of self-expression, and I enjoy colorful and playful outfits. Now as an adult, the style still appeals to me for its cheerfulness and nostalgia. Dressing in decora is a way for me to cherish the joy of childhood and adolescence, now that there are better opportunities for it.”
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