Just strolling along the Ginza!

I've seen this bag elsewhere with brand name misspelled. 

Love the shoes and hat combo! Hope to get some more shots after the typhoon passes!

Gray and white to suit the climate!

Waiting for the boyfriend and warmer weather.

A very nice "end of spring" look on a chilly June day.

Dressed for the coolness of 1 June

Still chilly during rainy season in Japan. I know there's an umbrella in the bag!

"These Boots Are Made For Walking" Ginza

June,  but still cold enough for boots in Tokyo.

As Vibrant As Ever!

We last visited Ginza two days before the disaster that struck Japan. For a while the stunned nation naturally went into shock and mourning. I didn't know what to expect when we returned. I was quite happy to see that normalcy has pretty much returned to Ginza. The young lady you see here was carrying a very large box, much too large for her petite size 4 body. As she paused to rest, I asked her if she needed help, always the gallant, but she declined with a series of smiles. I knew then that this would be the photo to resurrect "Panache Japan".
A friend asked me how Japan would get along after the tragedy of March 11. I told him that Japanese endure hardship in harmony with each other, have done it before and will do it again.

Really Swamped!

Please be patient, we just got back from Tokyo and I have to go through a lot of new photos to post a new "Spring Edition".
Go over and visit my other blog http://gankojiji.blogspot.com/ while I work on this one. Should be up witin days!

Spring is coming to Tokyo!

Early March and coats are starting to come open on the walk to Yurakcho station near Ginza for the trek home or to a pub to meet mates over drinks and food. I found myself whipping off jacket and hat after a short warm-up walk. On public transpo only the foreigners take off jackets or coats. The stoic Japanese suffer in silence.

Kimono for a Winter Stroll in Ginza!

Cold weather brings out the kimono is Ginza as they are always fashionable. Personally, I can't get enough of them. It's quite and ordeal to put one on and requires skilled assistance.

I got this image from a Twitter friend, Lee Chapman,  http://twitter.com/tokyotimes, who lives and works in the wonderful city. You can see his very nice blog at  http://www.wordpress.tokyotimes.org/ .

I'm anxious for Spring to return to get more fashion shots in Tokyo, but I'll miss the kimono when they go back into the wardrobes of central Japan. 

Milan Fall Fashion Show from Dolce & Gabbana

I like the much more muscular look of Dolce & Gabbana, if you compare it with the stiletto thin look of Gucci. Simply, because I was only thin enough to wear one of Gucci's designs after high school. Love them both, however I must give the nod to D&G.

Milano, not Tokyo, but you'll see these in Ginza next fall!

Long ago, in sunny Palm Beach Florida, I worked for Gucci and made the mistake of leaving. I still wonder what if I hadn't. "Regrets, I've got a few..." Sinatra

Bundling up doesn't have to be dowdy!

Love the color of this coat!

Not too cold for Ginza!

I'm sure he has an overcoat, but why bother when you are just going for lunch. Besides, you never know who might see you on the way.

Cold weather doesn't mean a holiday for fashion.

Mid January in Tokyo is much more temperate than New York, but it's still cold enough to discourage many from wearing anything but down jackets and boots. Yet many who have gone through the rigors of Japanese education without overcoats or hats continue to venture out to lunch in only a business suit. I tend to dress like "Nanook of the North". This young woman hopes to catch a taxi and appears not to notice the biting wind.

Sorry no samurai or anime!

Since I arrived in Japan 24 years ago I have been blown away by the fashion conscious Japanese. This blog is going to be unabashedly oriented to high fashion and those who are not afraid to flaunt their good taste. We hope to capture some images of modern Japan other than the traditional and "pop". So if you enjoy high fashion, please follow our blog or at least bookmark it for future viewing.