I am back in Tokyo after a fabulous time in Australia. Both Sydney and Brisbane put on a spectacular show. With most people celebrating the end to a gorgeous summer season the streets, parks and beaches were crowded with sun soaking revelers.

Bondi Beach was stunning and I managed to get there twice in the short time I was in Sydney.

I actually went to Sydney to train with the one and only Bunny Hoopstar in the art of Hoop Dance Teaching. It was an unforgettable experience with an outstandingly talented group of women. I am very grateful to have had the experience and return to Japan as a qualified Hoop Dance instructor. I returned last night and was out hooping under the sakura today in Inokashira Park before the blossoms blow away.

While in Sydney I spotted many stores and restaurants inspired by Japanese culture and design. Great to spy the Japan Australia connection!

I am happy to be back in Tokyo and feel like I have missed out on so many TOKYOMADE happenings so I am looking forward to catching up super quickly and getting back into the TOKYOMADe groove, I know it won't be too tricky!

Zoestyles designer and creator, Eigo Takada first made a name for himself as a student at Central Saint Martin's College of Art and Design London . Upon returning to Japan in 1999 he founded the brand Zoestyles and can now be found in over 15 stores around Japan.

Hot on the heels of Zoestyles recent showing at the Kera! Shop in Shinjuku Marui TOKYOMADE is breathless over the launch on the Zoestyle Spring range.

The range has a definite goth edge to it with a powerfully, funky feminine street look. The cut of each of these jackets is uniquely individual. As the model for the latest range I got to feel the fashion force that each jacket provides. Assertive and unrelenting feminine style. Strong and sophisticated. Powerful and uncomplicated. Unique and victorious.

Woah it is April already! How did that happen so quickly? The great thing is that we have another hot TOKYOMADE giveaway for you this month.

This month Bros Wear Design's creator Oshima San has whipped up an exclusive just for one lucky Tokyo Fan Club member. The Divine Nature t-shirt has been designed and created in Japan. With wrap around graphic and sporting the Bros Wear Design label this is a funky piece of Japanese street fashion and could be yours.

You know the deal, all you need to do is be a Tokyo Fan Club member. Enter your email address into the Tokyo Fan Club box on any page of TOKYOMADE, receive random pieces of Tokyo style in your inbox from time to time and be in with a chance to win hot prizes every month. See how much we love you?

Of course if you are already a member consider yourself in with a chance. Be sure to check your inbox and spam folder at the beginning of May when we contact the winner. If you are the winner you will receive an email from TOKYOMADE congratulating you on your outstanding success and begging for your shipping address so we can send you a hot Tokyo treasure.

Gambatte!

Dr. Sketchy's Tokyo has teamed up with chief&mischief and TokyoMade for Volume 2 of the infamous STITCH fashion party. Of course no Sketchy party is complete without stunning models and hypnotic beats and this birthday bash will feature a bevy of hot models to sink your sketchpads into. Not to mention Tokyo's premiere HoopStar Deanne from TOKYOMADE who will be sashaying her electro hoop in true raver fashion.

Where: Velours (Aoyama/Omotesando)

When: April 19 From 9pm-4am

¥¥¥ = Men (¥2500 w/flyer ¥2000)

Women (¥2000 w/flyer ¥1500 +1 drink)

Mail Discount: ¥1500 +1 drink (be sure to RSVP on the Dr. Sketchy site include "birthday RSVP" in subject. Deadline Noon April 19th)

What's going down in Tokyo town? As you can imagine there is always so much and often to much to do in Tokyo. We are always on the look out for interesting places to check out or new spaces to hang in so we thought we might share some of the happenings we have our eye on this month.

As reported by Jean Snow, Cafe Pause in Ikebukero is showing off the Speakerdog paper toy exhibit until April 20. Nani Bird creator and TOKYOMADE resident Josh McKible of MCKIBILLO fame has teamed up with the Speakerdog crew and some of his pieces can be spotted at Cafe Pause right now.

Pingmag, the place to go for all things cool in the design world, has just written a hot little article about the glowing gates of Tokyo. The article shows off some of the twinkling lights welcoming wanderers and shoppers to the many hot spots along the Chuo Line (where much of the TOKYOMADE magic happens!) A nice reminder that we need to get out more and simply wander the illuminated streets of Tokyo in search of structural treasures.

On April 26th ABMlabor presents an intensely elaborate crossover party 域 -iki- the 3rd impakt featuring live painting, visuals by Shantell Martin, tunes by PUNKADELIX, YOUTH-K and KON (TIMOTHY REALLY) plus residents. It will be a super fun night for us as I will be performing Hoop Dance with the main act Punkadelix. All happening at JZ Brat in Shibuya.

Right now all we can think about is the rain clearing and the sun preparing to warm us up all weekend as we head to Yoyogi Park on Sunday for a day filled with friends, fun and Hoop Dance.

Wishes from a very wet and windy Tokyo
xx

It's fresh, it's funky and it is now available here on TOKYOMADE. The finest Spring/Summer looks are all bundled up for you ready to devour.

Pour yourself a cup of divine, antioxidant filled green tea, sit back, relax and let your clicking finger do the walking. We present you with Tokyo Spring Style.

The Nani Birds have been flying to new homes recently so luckily illustrator Josh McKible kindly let us adopt a few more of his original creations.
New Nani Birds are nesting at TOKYOMADE. Each birdie is a one of a kind painting, part of the complete Nani Bird series created by Josh for the MCKIBILLO range.

Ever wondered what goes on behind the closed doors of love hotels or VIP rooms in Tokyo's underground clubs? Photographer Hal has done the "dirty" work and got you the keys and VIP passes.

Pinky & Killer DX is a photographic expose into the private, party lives of Japanese couples showing their wild side at love hotels and clubs all over Tokyo. Lewd, shrewd and often nude, the antics of couples in Tokyo getting a little bit naughty has been captured in a holographic bound, compact book. What more could your voyeuristic intentions desire?

Photographer Hal's obsession with capturing behind the bedroom door shots of some of Tokyo's raunchiest couples has lead to the creation of a must have glossy photographic album of sweaty, lust induced ecstasy. Essential peeping for all coffee tables, waiting rooms and night stands. A jaw dropping collection of real life couples living out their fantasies in Tokyo.

Shot with 6 x 7 film. All photos were taken in Tokyo, Japan. 136 color photos.
15cm x 20cm

Models include Sisen (DJ), Adrien(Tokyo Decadance Organiser), Velvet Teu(Performer), and more famous icons of the Japanese Underground world.

This Wednesday will be a Dr. Sketchy's Tokyo tribute to the original games on Mt. Olympus, the Dr Sketchy's Olympics.

Dr. Sketchy's Tokyo is always held on the 4th Wednesday of every month at The Pink Cow in
Shibuya

www.drsketchytokyo.com

Doors Open at 6pm
Dr. Sketchy starts at 7pm

Sketchy date: WEDNESDAY 4/23

Sketchy theme: Sketchy Olympics

Sketchy Model: Justin Berti

No drawing experience necessary,
just a sense of fun, sketch pad and pencil.

Bring 'dry' materials and get ready to get sketchy!

Oh, yeah! (no water/oil paints - sorry)

PS. Yes, that really IS the model!
You won't wanna miss this one!

RSVP on facebook! See you there.

While some of the early Spring blossoms are still lingering on the branches in Tokyo many of them have drifted to the ground making way for new growth and a new look Tokyo.

Much the same is happening round here at TOKYOMADE. A new wave of this seasons freshness is sweeping over us. Check out the new hotness!

A fresh batch of prehistoric accessories have hatched!

The hottest alien this side of Mars is making appearances all over the planet!

Zoestyles World Tour 2010. Hot new merch from the creator Dracula Bancho Jacket and Joan of Arc style fashion.

Be a part of the big freeze in Tokyo.
Too cool for school.

Created by Improv Everywhere in New York, a group known for "scenes of chaos and joy in public places", the freeze is heading back to Tokyo.
Naturally there is a facebook group called Tokyo Freeze 2008 with some fun suggestions and thoughts for the big event.
This should be a whole load of useless, time wasting fun! I am up for it. Lady Elle and TOKYOMADE will be out in full force! See you there.

Singing in the rain, taking naps and love's magic is what the latest range from Tiny Azure is all about. Add to that her zoological creations and Eiko Yamaji's newest styles for Tiny Azure are some of her most eclectic yet.

All pieces are hand crafted in Japan by Japanese designer, Eiko Yamaji. The Tiny Azure has established a huge global fan base, she just keeps on giving.

Tokyo is a never ending series of surprises. This weekend was no exception. After a huge night on the dancefloor at the very successful ABM party held last night at JZ Brat we had a quick sleep and headed out to Yoyogi park for a gorgeous afternoon. The weather was divine and the hoops were spinning.

As the sun went down the sounds out on the horizon were turned up. An email from a friend asking "Are you at the dance party in Yoyogi Park?" helped make the connection that the beats we were hearing in the distance were something worth seeking out.

A short trek through the darkness avoiding the trees and resting bodies we let our ears guide us and soon stumbled upon a very happening, techno flooded dance party. Needless to say the hoops were whipped out yet again and bodies warmed up nicely in the coolness of the Spring night.

An interesting mixture of Japanese and foreign dancers pounded the park floor to the happy vibes as the sun completely left for another part of the world. Plenty of friendly faces and music lovers. Not long into the set things seem to shut down and people scampered of in various directions. Left standing in the middle of the dark park with smiles on our faces and wetness on our skin our ears pricked up again to the sound of more beats in the distance. The search was on again.

This time we discovered a more low key but possibly more crowded make shift club. Plenty of smiling faces, funky beats and some of the hugest speakers I have seen set up outdoors in a long time. Good times.

According to our new dance party friends and the DJs the parties in Yoyogi park are every Sunday once the sun goes down, usually 5pm - 8pm. They are not hard to find, follow your ears. Look for us, we will most likely be there. What an awesome way to end the weekend!