..Being an Oiran 花魁変身..

One funny thing I did in Kyoto... I became an Oiran for a day! 
I can hardly recognize myself in the pictures though...

And yes it's really me!

Oiranって? Wikipedia attack:

Oiran (花魁) were courtesans in Japan. The oiran were considered a type of yūjo (遊女) "woman of pleasure" or prostitute. However, they are distinguished from the yūjo in that they were entertainers, and many became celebrities of their times outside the pleasure districts. Their art and fashions often set trends among the wealthy and, because of this, cultural aspects of oiran traditions continue to be preserved to this day.

I think a lot of people tend to confuse Geisha for Oiran...
I wasn't very clear myself until I saw the movie Sakuran, starring Anna Tsuchiya ... A very nice movie. Definitly recommend! And I love Anna Tsuchiya, she always plays strong women. She is gorgeous in real life too, I was lucky enough to touch her hand during a live show

Nowadays Oiran henshin is very popular because:
1- kimono used are usually more beautiful and more glamourous
2- the general outfit is more sexy and you can do some pretty sexy photoshots

So I went to the traditional area of Kyoto...

And after 40 minutes make-up and dressing...

I also met 2 maiko-san (apprentice geisha)...

Notice the difference of hair, obi (belt with front lace) and kimono!

They were going out after the picture. Usually you can keep the maiko outfit for the day and visit Kyoto. I imagine a lot of people and especially foreign tourists can confuse them for real maiko-san and chase them for a picture haha!

As I chose Oiran, I could not get out (Oiran were not supposed to go out anyway, they would wait for customers in the main house), so I did a few modelling pictures with the photographer

I like the last one a lot! Even Oiran need to keep up with technology!

..I miss Osaka!..

Some cute food from Japan

I need to fly back...

I also miss Paris...

I think I am getting homesick...

That probably explains why I remained silent for so long here.

Sorry, I wish I can start updating this blog again!

And keep on doing my dress up games.

I have been delaying my new game for so long... have to persevere!

Pictures taken with my friend's phone.

..LND..

Noooo... I already lost! I couldn't stick to my number 9 resolution for New Year

⑨ Continuer ce blog avec au moins une entrée par semaine
       Keep on updating this blog at least once per week

It's been a month since I arrived in London, I was busy finding a nice place to live and getting started in the city 
I don't really feel in a different country, even if people's behaviour is different than what I was used to see in Paris (and of course Japan). Did you know that if London was part of France, it would be its 7th biggest city? So many French around!

During my first week in London I randomly discovered Jack Wills, a British fashion brand targeting trendy uni students

I totally loved the fitting room

It was the sale period

Frontview of the store in Angel/Islington

Interested? Here is the address

359 Upper Street, Islington
London, N1 0PD
Tel:: 020 7226 5144

Although I really loved the shop and its decoration, Jack Will is not very my style so I got this instead for my makeup

The Fairfax liberty Print Bag
Cute floral designs with matching plain block colour lining
Branded zip closure at top

..Hello London! and Fotoshop by Adobé..

Ready to go!!

London, I'll be here in a few hours

There is no weight limit on the Eurostar ...
But I need to carry all these stuffs by myself in the station before a friend picks me up (^^)

I probably have, like, 45 kilos there

And yes!... Alpaka kun is coming with me!

Too bad there is no more room for my other plushies!

                    

By the way, do you remember this picture? I blogged it quite a long time ago here.

Well a guy named Jesse Rosten made a video of a similar but nevertheless revolutionary product and it's called... Fotoshop by Adobé 

Watch it here

PS: as mentionned, this commercial isn't real, neither are society's standards of beauty.