TOKYO ROCKABILLY | UPRISING TREND

"Why cater to look like everyone else, when you can stand out with a dash of edge?"

Rockabilly is one of the earliest styles of rock and roll music that emerged in the early 1950s. The word rockabilly comes from smashing “rock” with “hillbilly” –a sound inspired by how Elvis Presley smashed two musical sounds to develop his; which was heavily influenced a new direction in music… and style.

The rockabilly style most recently has been adopted by Tokyo, Japan; a style that has been revived several times over the years in the music and fashion industry. Rockabillies, also commonly known as Greasers, is a fashion style that is currently seen in the Harajuku district in Tokyo. This style was imported from the United States, where icons like Elvis Presley and John Travolta, emulated the style pulling rockabilly from the music industry also into the fashion industry.

Rockabilly is for the fashion rebels. Originally to rebel against your parents, but today, to rebel against societal norms. Traditionally, men always had well-groomed hair, while sporting a top (shirt, sweater or jacket) in a simple color and style that was not too flashy yet just enough to get the “bad boy” image across. While women, would typically wear full skirt dresses with low heels and ponytails. Very classic image that anyone who’s seen the movie Grease, starring John Travolta, would recognize the style instantaneously. However, the Japanese modernized the adopted fashion style not only in their attire, but also embodying the lifestyle of the era. From wearing dancing shoes, to going out and dancing posing for street style photographers, Greasers are rebelling and are still well and alive in Japan!