Glitter eyeshadow, platform boots, satin and a healthy disregard for gender norms: the 1970s glam rock revival never fully left Harajuku, and right now it's louder than ever.
Where glam came from
Glam rock erupted in early-1970s Britain through artists like David Bowie, T. Rex and Roxy Music, who paired stomping rock with androgynous, theatrical styling. The look was all about excess—sequins, metallics, towering platforms and unapologetic shine.
How Tokyo adopted it
Japan absorbed glam early and never let go, feeding it into visual kei, Harajuku street style and editorial fashion. Tokyo Fashion has documented how 1970s glam rock still shapes Harajuku makeup and styling, from glitter-streaked faces to retro-futuristic silhouettes.
Building a glam-leaning look
Modern glam in Harajuku is less costume, more attitude: one statement piece—a metallic jacket, platform boots, a swipe of glitter—does the heavy lifting. Mix it with everyday streetwear and you land somewhere between rock star and street kid. For shiny, statement-friendly pieces, alt-fashion shops like Belchic are full of options. Glam was always about turning the everyday into a stage, and Harajuku has never needed much convincing.
