jet stream - south africa with jesse breytenbach...

We have a wonderful treat today on the jet stream.  Jesse Breytenbach is a wonderful artist who has been featured here before.  She does a fantastic range of hand screened items that are all available in her etsy shop.  She has been kind enough to whisk us away to the place she calls home - South Africa.

A favourite walk along the river.... it's a short walk, but so pretty.Although this is called the 'Cape Town & District Association for the Hearing Impaired', the sign on the window says it's the 'Deaf Club'. A man standing against the corner asked me whether I was an artist. I mumbled "Sort of" and he wished me a nice day. I do like my neighbourhood!The grain mill is quite near my house; it's the tallest building for miles around. It's in an area that used to be heavily industrial, right next the railway line. Now most of the grain is transported by road, which means that huge trucks thunder past, literally shaking foundations as they go, causing cups and glasses to rattle in my kitchen cupboards. The trucks regularly get stuck in the narrow roads, too, to the amusement of pedestrians, but not drivers, I suppose. To really appreciate it's Art Deco touches, it's best to see it from train going past.And Burger Fair as the sun sets: burgers that taste home-made, eaten from a tray clipped on to the car window. The waitress isn't on rollerskates, but she should be.The Werdmuller Centre is a shopping centre that was built in the 70s by a world-renowned architect. People either love it or loathe it, and there are constant rumours and threats of demolition. It's mostly empty but for a church, a few dingy shops, and the best secondhand bookshop in Cape Town, Cafda. I think it's beautiful!

jet stream - ode to japan by rachel asimakopoulos...

Japan and Me: A Love Story

Descending into the land of geisha, sushi, and harajuku girls, I am once again astonished by the homogenous nature of the Japanese culture. It has been 8 years since I lived in Japan - eight long years.

The lights of Shibuya called to the shopper in me like a beacon, a star in the night, leading the way home. Home here comes in the form of the shopping districts of Tokyo. If this were my home, my closet would be filled with flannel shirts and puffy jackets. Every where you turned, buffalo plaid, window-pane plaid, madras plaid - plaid, plaid, plaid!!! It was a plaid plaid world in Japan. And puffy jackets weren't taking a back seat either. It was like walking into the world's largest outdoor retailer on the planet. As if all the Japanese stores took their inspiration from the likes of LL Bean, Eddie Bauer, Land's End, and REI.

However, despite the over-stuffed store racks and repetitive window displays, there were few people actually sporting these looks. Instead, the apparent consumer choice came in a lace package. The vintage victorian influences were commonplace attire throughout the streets, especially for the female crowd. Subdued colors, in earthy cosmetic tones, grounded the liberty inspired floral patterns. Lace, gathers, and puffed sleeves helped emphasize the feminine nature of this trend.

Tying these 2 strong trends together were the ever popular Cowboy Boots. In every shape, size, color, and pattern - from animal printed to hot pink slouched, these boots were pounding the pavement every where I looked.

It took 8 long years for me to get back to Japan. Now here are 8 reasons why I will once again return some day:

#8 Sweet Bean Paste
#7 5 Tiered Pagodas
#6 Butt Biting Deer (If you feed them, they will come)
#5 Sumo Wrestlers and their rice throwing ways
#4 Warm Sake Under the Cherry Blossom trees
#3 The soft glow of lanterns at night
#2 Disco themed private Karaoke rooms
and the #1 reason...Easily Identifiable Fashion Trends!!!

Until 2017 - Sayonara!
Rachel

courtesy Parapluies et Soleil contributor Rachel Asimakopoulos.

Rachel is a senior designer for REI in Seattle. She has lived in Japan and traveled extensively throughout both Asia and Europe.