Kawaii Creator’s Club #8: Milli Shares Her Experiences as a Kawaii Fashion Creator

24.July.2020 | FASHION / FEATURES

MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON is launching a new series which we are calling the Kawaii Creators Club. Each episode, we’ll be introducing to you, the readers, to Kawaii Fashion Creators from around the world whose kawaii fashion is reminiscent of that seen in Tokyo’s fashion hub of Harajuku.

You’ll get to know each of these creators―who all live in different countries around the world―as you learn how they came to know about kawaii fashion, where they buy their clothes and accessories, who their fashion inspirations are, and more, in the form of an interview.

In Episode #8, we welcome Milli from Germany! We get to hear about how this kawaii fashion creator, whose gorgeous short hair has us hooked, came to be interesting in fashion, how anime has influenced her, and more.

 

–What is your nickname (or name)?
Milli

 

–Which country do you live in?
Germany

 

–What is your occupation?
I’m a student, nearing the last year of German secondary school (similar to High School).

–What made you interested in kawaii fashion?

I saw a YouTube video way back, when I was just getting into cosplay, discussing whether Lolita Fashion fell into the cosplay category or not (obviously it doesn’t). I had no idea what Lolita Fashion or Fairy Kei was then, but I saw the two lolitas featured on the thumbnail of that video and thought “wow, I wanna look like them!!!”

 

–At what age did you start experimenting with kawaii fashion?

When I was 12 years old.

 

–Where do you buy your kawaii accessories and clothes from?

Accessories I buy at random or make myself. For clothing, I like to go thrifting as much as possible, although I looove the following online-available brands:
Nile PerchMilklimListenflavorPeiliee ShopKokopie ShopGood Fortune ShopPastelloves StoreDevil Inspired

–Is there anyone who inspires your fashion style?

There are so many amazing creators out there, so I could name a bunch of people haha… When I need particular fashion inspiration, I often go to the accounts of @laaagkki @pixieelocks @dewybun @fairy.izzi @kao_kitsune @newniji @katiebabydoll

 

— What do you like doing on your days off?

Anything creative! Drawing, sewing, scrapbooking, going out and taking photos… Oh, and bake a cake!

 

–What is your favourite food and why? (It can be from any country)

Mango curry with vegetables and fried tofu (for a meal), but something my sweet tooth can never get enough of is German poppyseed cake!

–Do you have a favourite anime?
I’ll have to name multiple…
Kuroshitsuji:
love because: it combines my favorite past time (the 1880’s) with my favorite city (London) and an AMAZING set of characters
fav character: Ciel Phantomhive because I relate to his cold, sarcastic energy. Which gives me confidence that one can use these traits for good, not for evil or to be mean.
Haikyuu:
love because: sooo many characters to cheer for! Best sports anime out there and it focuses on each team so nicely, you literally can’t pick sides.
fav character: Hinata Shoyo because he shines like a happy, energetic sun for everyone around him. I want to be that for my friends.
Ouran Highschool Host Club:
love because: hilarious, queer, absolutely out there, and so different from any other anime I’ve watched.
fav character: Haruhi Fujioka because I have NEVER before related to any fictional character this much. And I just love the way she breaks gender stereotypes!

–Do you have a favourite Japanese celebrity? If yes, who is it and why?
I don’t really keep up with celebrities in general haha, sorry… I only really know influencers, so in that case: Haruka Kurebayashi (@kurebayashiii on Instagram)
Her style is so creative (the way she puts together outfits and combines the pieces + makeup is amazing!) and her personality just SHINES! Which makes the videos and vlogs she does especially enjoyable.

 

–Do you have a favourite website about Japan or Japanese culture? If so, what is it?
Well, since the part of Japanese culture that I currently educate myself on the most is the language, I will name the website I’m learning through: japanesefromzero.com
Moreso, the author George Trombley is so helpful with the teachings he gives on his YouTube channel!

–What is your favourite Japanese word or phrase?
十人十色 // juunintoiro // Ten People, Ten Colours
I find this proverb so joyful and fitting, as it allows me to take it literally (in the sense of individual style and “don’t judge a book by its cover”) or interpret it according to an occasion (when I might be upset because someone has a different outlook on something, that might however be interesting to consider).
It also promotes diversity!

 

–Have you ever been to Japan? What is your favourite place?
Not yet, but I want to go as soon as possible!! Mainly to Harajuku, as I’d love to see the district where my favorite fashion styles originated and flourish.

 

–Tell us about your dreams for the future.
I dream of living freely and finding an occupation I love (this is especially important right now, as I need to know what to do after I finish school). I want to travel with friends and one day live in an old house in my hometown, with a big garden and many cats. It might sound like just wishful thinking, but we attract what we believe in!

 

–Finally, what does “kawaii” mean to you?
“kawaii” is a lifestyle to me, as well as a feeling of childish, careless happiness and unrestricted creative freedom. It’s definitely more than just “cuteness”; it’s the way I view and design my surroundings and how I choose to find brightness and positivity in the world, regardless of how dark it might be some days.

 

If you want to see more of Milli then be sure to follow her on Instagram where you can check out many more of her looks.

 

Milli Instagram: @plantlovingrose

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    MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON is launching a new series which we are calling the Kawaii Creators Club. Each episode, we'll be introducing to you, the readers, to Kawaii Fashion Creators from around the world who are interested in kawaii fashion from Harajuku.   You'll get to know each of these creators―who all live in different countries around the world―as you learn how they came to know about kawaii fashion, where they buy their clothes and accessories, who their fashion inspirations are, and more, in the form of an interview.   In Episode #3, we welcome Naomi from the Philippines! Naomi is a fashion student who has her own brand. We asked her about her daily life and her experiences with kawaii fashion.   --What is your nickname (or name)? My name is Naomi but some of my friends call me Naomeow (Now-meow) or Nao!   --Which country do you live in? I'm living in Japan now but I'm from the Philippines!   --What is your occupation? 

    Naomi's Brand Omi Omi

    I'm a full-time fashion student, part-time model and creator/designer of my new brand: Omi Omi.   --What made you interested in kawaii fashion? I’ve always had a love for cute things, and have always been told I've been stuck daydreaming in my own world. So being able to wear kawaii fashion enables me to express my love for cuteness while being able to show people what it means to me. --At what age did you start experimenting with kawaii fashion? I've been dressing in kawaii fashion for as long as I can remember, but I think it's just evolved in different ways now.   --Where do you buy your kawaii accessories and clothes from? I really love thrift shopping! This is where I usually buy my clothes if it's not given to me from online shops. Koenji and Shimokita are usually my go-to places in Tokyo. I also like re-making old clothes, and some of the things I wear I designed myself ♡ I just started my brand recently and have been doing pop-up shops around Tokyo from time to time, and will launch my website soon at www.omi-omi.com   --Is there anyone who inspires your fashion style? I don't have a particular real person, but I do think my favorite heroines from shows and video games have affected my style in some way. For example, Mathilda from Leon the professional and Miwako Sakurada from Paradise Kiss. --What do you like doing on your days off? During my free time, I tend to just sleep and play video games.   --What is your favourite food and why? (It can be from any country) Katsu Curry is my ultimate favourite dish! It just tastes so good I'm getting hungry thinking about it. I can finish that in 10 minutes.   --Do you have a favourite anime? I have my top 3 favourite animes that I love, which are Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Chobits, and Neon Genesis Evangelion. The stories of these are amazing, and I love animes with deep, complex plot twists.   --Who is your favourite character? (If you have one) Chii from Chobits!   --Do you have a favourite Japanese celebrity? If yes, who is it and why? I don't know much about Japanese dramas or celebrities unfortunately :( --Do you have a favourite website about Japan or Japanese culture? If so, what is it? I don't know much about Japanese culture websites as well :(   --What is your favourite Japanese word or phrase? Probably 「ヤバイ!」   --Have you ever been to Japan? What is your favourite place? Yes! I live here. My favourite places are Shimokitazawa, Koenji and Harajuku.   --Tell us about your dreams for the future. I'm currently studying fashion right now, and once I graduate I plan to expand my brand around Tokyo. Maybe, in the near future, it would be such a dream to open a physical store in Harajuku.   --Finally, what does “kawaii” mean to you? To me, I feel like "Kawaii" is more than just physical aesthetics. I think it's also a feeling, culture, and a lifestyle. You don't have to be a model, a certain gender, or popular to be "Kawaii". For me, someone who is "Kawaii" radiates that happiness from within, just like the way we feel when we see our favorite cute toys. They aren't afraid to be different, and are real with our love to express joy and cute things. There's a difference between kawaii and childish and I think being able to express your inner child is a brave and rebellious thing to do in a world full of people who push that side of themselves away!   If you want to see more of Naomil then be sure to follow her on Instagram where you can check out many more of her looks.   Naomi's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naomeoww/ Blog: http://www.naominikola.com Brand: http://www.omi-omi.com