In Japan, wearing dead bugs on your head is becoming the cool thing to do among younger fashionistas.
Shoko Nakagawa or Shokotan, as she is more often referred to, is a Japanese idol. No, not the singing competition. Wikipedia says, "In Japanese culture idol refers to mostly female media personalities in their teens and early twenties who are considered particularly cute and pretty and who will, for a period ranging from several months to a few years, regularly appear in the mass media."
What makes Shokotan an idol? From what I can gather, she's loony. Think Steve-o off of Jackass. Case in point - check out her love of cicada exoskeletons. She frequently dons the crispy insect coverings as accessories. Will this catch on, you think?
Dead Bugs as Accessories
Shokotan's Cicadas
Trend Themes
1. Bug Accessories - The trend of wearing dead bugs as accessories is growing in popularity in Japan.
2. Unconventional Fashion - Unconventional fashion, such as wearing insects as accessories, is becoming more accepted and popular among younger generations.
3. Shock Value Fashion - Fashion items that shock people, such as wearing dead bugs as accessories, are gaining popularity among those seeking attention and controversy.
Industry Implications
1. Fashion - The fashion industry can capitalize on this trend by offering bug-inspired accessories, such as jewelry or hats, to appeal to younger generations.
2. Entertainment - The entertainment industry can explore the use of unconventional and attention-grabbing fashion choices, like wearing dead bugs as accessories, to draw public attention to media personalities.
3. Science and Technology - The science and technology industry has a chance to capitalize on the trend of wearing dead bugs as accessories by developing innovative materials that emulate the unique textures and patterns of insects.