Yumelixir Winter 2018 Menhera Lookbook
Launching Yumelixir: Jan 19, 2018!
I actually started the making of this brand, physically in June of 2017, but have been conceptualizing this since my high school years. I wanted to launch this at the new year, but I tend to lean on the side of perfectionism, causing me to try to prepare and set things up to be "just right." This often hinders me in making headway and progress and often keeps me from being able to start new things. Over the years, I've been working on myself, trying to improve the traits and qualities that would qualify me for achieving greater success in life. And I've learned that if I don't start before I am "ready" then it'll take months and years before I can start.
Thank you to my loved friends and family who have journeyed with and supported me in my outlandish endeavors. I hope to make you proud, and to influence and help not only you guys, but to have a positive impact on the world as well. Here's to my rocky start, but it's been a long time coming, hasn't it?
@mesinajulian @avxtc_designs @inoribunny @kirian.jp @mcjsanchez @jacob_burch21 @_brandonixt @krisjaz.rn
Edit:
The outfits in this lookbook are not 100% Menhera fashion. The ACCESSORIES in this line are Menhera fashion. The outfits themselves don’t fit any particular J-fashion trend. When I put the outfits together for this lookbook, it was mostly to obtain a color aesthetic that would tie together with the accessories.
It’s my belief that fashion is an extension of YOU. It’s self expression of your personality, your journey, your emotions, and even your dreams and desires.
Even though the outfits in this video are not defined by a specific J-fashion trend, that’s ok. And it’s ok if you have outfits that you put together that don’t have a definition. It does not mean that you are excluded from the community because you don’t fit, but rather you have your own unique elements that make you, YOU.
The terms, words, categories, subcultures, etc with rules, restrictions, definitions, and regulations are not there to tell you “how” to dress or whether you are doing it “right or wrong” but rather to give people who like an aesthetic, keywords to use online to find more of that aesthetic, clothing, style, shops, etc.
Never feel like if you don’t “fit” a category properly, that means you aren’t part of the culture, or you’re doing it wrong. Everyone is unique, has their own journey, and can have their heart in many subcultures (or combinations of) that appeal to them.
On the topic of “Menhera kei” …
For those that see the “kei” in my title sequence, I was not aware of its usage as a derogatory term until after I posted it.
“Kei” is often used after words to denote a style defining a J-fashion subculture.
Examples are:
Decora Kei
Visual Kei
Mori Kei
Otome Kei
Genderless Kei
etc
Menhera Kei (系) was used as a derogatory nickname to denote users of 2ch’s mental health board. So be careful on the usage of it!
When I look at using “kei” I like to think of the kanji, “敬,” meaning “respect.” Often, when fans of Menhera fashion, whether whole coords or just incorporating motifs into coords, wear it, this represents a push for societal awareness, accomodations, and change for the situation surrounding people who are experiencing mental (and physical) illnesses. I think the trend is geared to “respect” people of this group and people supporting loved ones of this group, making Menhera Kei (敬) a term to make people actually think about the original meaning in reverse.
Menhera is a movement toward the acceptance and normality of people, no matter their condition, background, etc. We are human and should treat each other with that kind of respect.
BTW ~ there’s no official thread or post or anything about using Menhera Kei (敬) with this respect kanji. It’s just my personal head-canon about the topic. (So still be careful about using it, before internet terminology monsters come to attack and devour you in some comment thread.)