Ganguro, (ガン黒) literally "face-black," is a fashion trend among Japanese girls, an outgrowth of chapatsu hair dyeing. The basic look is bleached-blond hair and a deep tan, produced by tanning beds or makeup. The intent is to produce the tanned, blond California beach girl look. Accessories include high platform shoes or boots, purikura photo stickers, and cellular phones.
The Shibuya and Ikebukuro districts of Tokyo are the center of ganguro fashion. It goes against the grain of the usual Japanese standard of female beauty, which calls for skin as white as possible. The roots of the trend are said to be in the mid-1960s, starting with commercials/advertisements in which actresses emulated the California "beach bunny" look.
Ganguro taken to the next level is called yamanba.
Further Reading
- Kate Klippensteen, et al, Ganguro Girls: The Japanese "Black Face" (Koenemann Verlagsgesellschaft mbH, Koeln), ISBN 3-8290-7926-5
