Interviews: Kawaii Festival Berlin
Image courtesy of Kawaii Festival Berlin
Melissa | 28 | Designer, Show host + Web video producer | @mlleopossum
What do you love about the Kawaii Festival?
The fashion show! I still remember how much I worried: “Oh God! Will we even finish one outfit in time?” And then we made 14! And our mascot! We made it by ourselves and it’s also my first mascot and I didn’t had any clue what I was doing at all. And everything worked out so fine in the end and no one died!
What inspires your style?
Of course the streets of Tokyo! TokyoFashion is like the Bible to me, just like FRUiTS or the Gothic & Lolita Bible used to be. But actually Berlin as well—because there are so many cool people around me who do lots of crazy stuff and that’s the biggest motivation for me to do some cool things myself.
Paula | 19 | Student
What do you love about the Kawaii Festival?
Definitely the fashion show!
What inspires your style?
Actually, I try to wear clothes as “normal” as possible. That’s why today’s outfit is really special and I’ve never worn a style like this before. I did much research beforehand and thought a lot about it. I also do cosplay, but not as good as I would like to. I have a little knowledge of everything.
Helen | 21 | Pharmaceutical technician
What do you love about the Kawaii Festival?
Mademoiselle Opossum’s fashion show, I guess!
What inspires your style?
Inspirations in general… I don’t know exactly what my inspirations are… I just thought: that’s cute! And so I did it. I take and apply to outfits what I see and like.
Left: Elisa | 14 | Student
Right: Jessica | 14 | Student
What do you love about the Kawaii Festival?
Elisa: The different people and outfits! And the event’s program.
Jessica: I am really looking forward to the Decora Fashion Contest and Melissa’s new clothing line.
What inspires your style?
Elisa: Well, mostly Instagram—when I see something I like. Or musical.ly, when I get recommendations or when I’m browsing hashtags.
Jessica: For me it’s the same. And I also take my inspiration mainly from the Japanese Decora Style.
Vicky | 19 | Restaurant manager in training | @miiikasaa
What do you love about the Kawaii Festival?
Haruka Kurebayashi of course! I also love to see all these people here and think: “Oh, that’s so cool!” and “Wow that’s cool, too!” And just that we can be our true selves here.
What inspires your style?
I get my inspiration from Breedingunicorns, so: Melissa! And Japan in general, of course. I love the culture and any fashion from Japan. I love it all!
Fesegniz | 18 | Student
What do you love about the Kawaii Festival?
I am really looking forward to the fashion show, because I’m curious to see how it will look like!
What inspires your style?
Brands like Lazy Oaf or the YouTuber Pixielocks, for example! She’s such a big inspiration for me, which is why I also had rainbow bangs for a long time. Years ago I was more Emo but now I wear pink more often. All those things inspired me to become more colourful and helped me to express my style and to have more courage.
Maxi | 16 | Student | Babysitter | @heartshapedeath
What do you love about the Kawaii Festival?
The whole set-up in general and I really like the slogan “Iconic Eki”, too. I also think it’s awesome they brought Haruka Kurebayashi! It’s convenient that the festival is only on one day and I also think it’s awesome to have a Korean afterparty. K-Pop is a must.
What inspires your style?
Everything about Kawaii Fashion. I wear Lolita and Decora, as well. Big inspirations are the shows I’m watching, Lana Del Rey, and David Bowie. And also Melissa! She showed me that I can do that [fashion] too and that it’s possible even in Germany. And Kyary Pamyu Pamyu and Sebastian Masuda—big legends.
Left: Silas | 18 | Hairdresser | @hannibal_addams199
Right: Vivienne | 18 | Chemist | @xpinkxfluffyunicornx_
What do you love about the Kawaii Festival?
Silas: The contest was awesome. But I’m really looking forward to everything! It’s amazing.
Vivienne: I loved the fashion contest and that I had the chance to be on stage! And that I’m going to get a tattoo by Cira later.
What inspires your style?
Silas: Different things… everything I find on the internet and I like.
Vivienne: It’s similar for me, but if I had to name people: Melissa and Cira Las Vegas! Both are big role models, especially because of their fashion!
Chika | 30 | Performer | @chika_takahashi_
What do you love about the Kawaii Festival?
The whole entertainment here!
What inspires your style?
Hmmm… the most important thing is having fun!
Taga | Pizza Baker | @tagatotora
What do you love about the Kawaii Festival?
I was really looking forward to the Decora Fashion Contest, but unfortunately I missed it. That’s why I’m now looking forward to the fashion show!
What inspires your style?
Visual Kei. All bands.
Alex | Forever 17 | Hairdresser | @ardickz
What do you love about the Kawaii Festival?
I am totally hyped about Haruka Kurebayashi being here and that she chose me as the winner of the Decora Fashion Contest! It’s such a big honour for me, I’m unbelievably happy. Of course this is the highlight of my day. Besides that, I’m looking forward to FEMM!
What inspires your style?
It all began when I found Chiso and Kito Kuso, some old school Decoras from around 2003. I loved them both and wondered: “Is there a Decora style for boys, too?”. Then I was shown a boy from Chile who wore Decora and I thought: “Okay, I can do that too!”. Later I found Tomoe Shinohara; so today my inspiration comes from her and Decoras from the early 2000s, as well as Neo Decora—everything from 2010 and later.
Matteo | 13 | Student
What do you love about the Kawaii Festival?
I’m looking forward to FEMM’s concert and I really want to take a picture with Haruka Kurebayashi!
What inspires your style?
Most of my inspiration comes from Harajuku and Haruka Kurebayashi. Kyary Pamyu Pamyu sometimes inspires me, too!
Yuki | 35 | Painter | Designer
What do you love about the Kawaii Festival?
Actually in Japan, we can meet up in Harajuku where we can see many styles. But now I live in Kreuzberg (Berlin) and I never see styles like this. I’m so happy to see Japanese culture and Kawaii culture! I’m happy to see that everyone enjoys it.
What inspires your style?
I used to make clothes in Japan, so I like clothes but I don’t like to wear the same stuff as everyone else. I like to be unusual and crazy and more unique!
Cover image curtesy of Kawaii Festival Berlin.