We’ve seen some crazy trends in fashion come out of Japan, but this is definitely one of the most unusual yet.

A Japanese model and DJ called Miyako has been making news around the country recently for her bright and colourful fashion choices, which include colouring her skin.

Called “ishoku hada“, which translates to “unique skin” or “remarkable skin“, the new trend involves the use of colourful body paint to help recreate the appearance of magical characters seen in anime, manga and video games.

Miyako’s involvement in the ishoku hada scene was a natural progression, as she was already a big fan of the dark tans and heavy makeup seen in ganguro styles, a “gyaru” fashion trend that bucks conventional ideals of feminine beauty for individuality, self-expression, and freedom.

Ishoku hada takes self-expression and unconventional beauty to a whole new level, with multi-coloured wigs, bright contact lenses and colourful accessories essential to pulling off the look.

At the centre of the trend, though, is coloured skin, which appears in all shades of the rainbow and more. The brighter and more outlandish the shade, the better.

And if you’re wondering how much of their body is covered in pigment, these clips below will help to answer that question.

Miyako and the ishoku hada girls have even inspired fan art online.

https://twitter.com/SadistReirei/status/879676264113618944 https://twitter.com/iwawotobuneko/status/881450725955444736

Like ganguro and gyaru fashion, isshoku hada is a niche street style that is anything but mainstream. Since Miyako and the isshoku hada girls appeared online last month, though, they’ve already spawned fans who’ve quickly taken up the style, posting their own photos online with the hashtag #異色肌ギャル (#IshokuHadaGirl).

So if you happen to spot a flash of colour at a cosplay event or on the streets of Harajuku, make sure you head towards it – chances are it might end up being Mr Sato, who’s bound to get in on the ishoku hada trend following his experience as a gyaru at the Ganguro Cafe in Tokyo.

Source: Kai-You
Featured image: Twitter/@miyakocore