Sunday, October 21, 2007

Only in Japan...

...will you find a story like this!

TOKYO, Oct. 19 — On a narrow Tokyo street, near a beef bowl restaurant and a pachinko parlor, Aya Tsukioka demonstrated new clothing designs that she hopes will ease Japan’s growing fears of crime.

Deftly, Ms. Tsukioka, a 29-year-old experimental fashion designer, lifted a flap on her skirt to reveal a large sheet of cloth printed in bright red with a soft drink logo partly visible. By holding the sheet open and stepping to the side of the road, she showed how a woman walking alone could elude pursuers — by disguising herself as a vending machine.




The wearer hides behind the sheet, printed with an actual-size photo of a vending machine. Ms. Tsukioka’s clothing is still in development, but she already has several versions, including one that unfolds from a kimono and a deluxe model with four sides for more complete camouflaging.

Ms. Tsukioka said she chose the vending-machine motif because the machines are so common on Japan’s streets. For children, she has a backpack that transforms into a Japanese-style fire hydrant, hiding the child.

Ms. Tsukioka said her disguises could be a bit impractical, “especially when your hands are shaking.” Still, she said she hoped the designs or some variation of them could be marketed widely. So far, she said, she has sold about 20 vending-machine skirts for about $800 each, printing and sewing each by hand.

She said she had never heard of a skirt’s actually preventing a crime. But on a recent afternoon in Tokyo, bystanders stared as she unfolded the sheet. But once she stood behind it next to a row of actual vending machines, the image proved persuasive enough camouflage that passers-by did not seem to notice her.


I'll never again walk past a vending machine without stopping to ask it out to dinner....

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

If you ask it out to dinner, I think you're just proving her point of the necessity of women to dress that way.

Ya think?

SWG

MrScribbler said...

What do you want me to do, SWG? Put money in and push her buttons, maybe?

Anonymous said...

lol. what next!??? i wonder if her dress would be better for bbw's.....

Bud

Doug said...

If someone tries to put something in her slot, would that be a violation?

John0 Juanderlust said...

I think the fir hydrant scheme for children could have unwanted consequences. Better make that one water proof.

MrScribbler said...

John -- d'you suppose Japanese dogs are too polite to do that?

Anonymous said...

ROFLLOLOLOLLLLL!!

Kimmywoo said...

Hahahahahaha.... oh dear.

Anonymous said...

At least you won't have to buy her a drink :))))

MrScribbler said...

Sure I would, Joan...I've never met a vending machine that gave drinks away for free!

Anonymous said...

that is so awesome. and i love your last line there. lol! good luck with that one.