J-Pop Festival 2011: hNaoto Fashion show & contest, etc

This blog will cover hNaoto related events during J-Pop Summit Festival in San Francisco Japantown 2011. My reason for attending was of course, fashion! I was excited to see hNaoto's fashion show that Heralded the opening of the San Francisco hNAOTO shop~>

Naoto-san & I

Got more excited when I saw this at Cinema Cafe that morning.

Nighto with Naoto

Last Monday, my brother, I and friends spent quality time with Hirooka Naoto, the creator and designer of hNAOTO. He was in San Francisco for a few hours after a week in Atlanta for AWA convention. Obviously, I was excited to see him, but it was 'hisashiburi,' it had been a while, since he was in SF. The SF Naoto shop, in New People building, held a miniature party in the evening. As usual they showcased the newest items, and buying $100+ gets an autographed photograph with Naoto-san. (Sometimes I refer to Naoto-san as Father Na because Na Otousan sounds similar.)

President of New People, Inc. & Naoto-san. Photograph: Raymond W. Doan

The evening began with a drive down to San Francisco. Amazingly we did not encounter much traffic although we drove between 4-5:30pm. But we passed 2 remnants of accidents as well as another huge just-happened accident. The police car and ambulance were trying to get past full lanes on the Bay Bridge. I tried to move right, but there was no where to go. I still remember years ago, we were stuck on the Bay Bridge with some terrible traffic wondering what was the matter. We passed by a smoked-out totally burnt, still-burning white van. It was awful.

Moving on, we arrived at Japantown ~5:30, and went to use the facilities. I had to pin in my headdress, and adjust my outfit. Met up with Crystal M. to have dinner before heading over to the Naoto party. (There was food at the party though!) We ate at Kushi Sushi.

More details on food blog.

Around 7pm, we headed to the facilities, again, and then to the Naoto shop. There were many familiar faces there, and I got caught up in chatting with friends and friend-clerks alike. Father Na came over, waved, and said, "Hi, Cupkeiki." Inside I Kya-ed. Outside I waved enthusiastically. As usual I checked out all the new items in the shop. There were many.

Dokuro-tions~> Photograph: Raymond W. Doan

Beautiful hat, Gramm?

Yes, Father Na himself often shops with you, like a good shop boy.

Photograph: Raymond W. Doan

My Outfit:

Hairpiece and Cardigan: Me

Hair bow: Dolldelight

Handbag: gouK

Dress: Frill

Scrunchie: Gramm

Necklaces: Frill, Hangry & Angry

Stockings: Forever 21

Shoes: Payless