Urban Camouflage is suddenly all the rage in Japan. Creative and unusual “disguise wear” is being marketed by clothing designers who are delving into fashion experimentation. The reason is the odd part – the disguises are to be worn to fend off troublesome encounters.
The 29-year-old designer, Ms. Tsukioka has developed a deluxe model vending machine with 4 sides and a top. She is offering up her creation as a defense against criminals.
Tsukioka said she chose the vending machine motif because the machines are so common on Japan’s streets – allowing the wearer to blend in with his or her surroundings. For children, she has a backpack that transforms into a Japanese style fire hydrant, hiding the child.
She hopes the designs can be marketed widely. So far, she said, she has sold about 20 vending machine disguises for about $800 each, printing and sewing each by hand.
Who knew that the Japanese were so skittish that they would resort to hiding behind a vending machine drape. Apparently the Japanese culture favors camouflage and deception as opposed to arming oneself with pepper spray or worse.
We learn from Tsukioka that it is just easier to hide than make a scene. I question this logic because in my neighborhood the act of parading around in a vending machine costume might even be construed by some as an attention seeking activity. Practical or just plain bizarre, the Japanese welcome experimental ideas, no matter how eccentric, according to the designer.
Tsukioka said that while her ideas might be fanciful, Japan’s willingness to indulge the imagination is one of its cultural strengths. She added that these ideas might strike foreigners as far-fetched. Seems like a fair statement.
This reminds me of the stunts that were filmed on the original reality TV show Candid Camera. I’m thinking this application could work in San Francisco where street gimmicks are common place. As for mainstream USA – not so much.
See photo slide show below.