Mannequin rap duo FEMM released a music video for the song Crystal Ball from their new EP THE SIX, released on August 17.

This song is a powerful ballad produced by Danny L. Harle, a pioneer of hyper-pop who has worked with Rina Sawayama and other artists, and John Ryan, who has provided many songs for One Direction, Maroon 5, and more. FEMM added some particularly poignant lyrics to the track, including the line “take the unexplored path (not the one shown to you by someone else) illuminated by the light you emit, even if it is still weak.”

Crystal Ball (Music Video) on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/CYh9RUBiQyI

The music video was produced in collaboration with majotae, a Japanese fabric brand that uses hemp, a sustainable material that has become popular worldwide in recent years. The costumes were based on origami and were designed by Tomomi Ono, a fashion designer who worked for Maison Martin Margiela in Paris and has been developing a “brand without a name” since 2009. The video was directed by 2nd Function, which has provided creations for global fashion brands like GUCCI.

The music video’s color palette is reminiscent of Japan, combining plenty of white and red objects. The video aims to inspire viewers to remember and accept the past while moving ever forward, so be sure to give it a watch. 

Since their debut in 2014, the female mannequin rap duo FEMM has continued to wow audiences with its avant-garde approach to music. The two have been active mainly in the United States and Europe.

Since their debut, the duo has continued to release unique new music. The main track from their latest album Tokyo Ex Machina, We Got Each Other, managed to chart for 12 consecutive weeks on the major U.S. radio chart MEDIABASE/Activator Chart.

FEMM’s new track THE SIX has been chosen as the theme song for the MBS/TBS drama series Ikinokotta 6-nin ni Yoru to, which is currently airing in Japan. 

The aggressive and avant-garde song may be a first for a Japanese drama theme song. With a sound typical of FEMM, the track was written by the duo themselves after receiving an offer from the drama’s director Ken Ninomiya. The series follows survivors of a zombie apocalypse, and in response, FEMM’s song stresses the importance of staying true to oneself in any situation, no matter how terrifying. 

Director Ken Ninomiya gave the following comments about the song.

– – – – –

FEMM’s music gives off this innate cheerfulness and a mischievousness that I thought would be perfect for the drama’s theme song, so as a fan and creator myself, I had to make an offer. 

I asked that the song be a celebration of the six main characters as they grow and reforge who they are day after day. 

And thus, THE SIX was born. The song, which calls out the characters’ names over and over, not only embodies their strength and their desire for a brighter future, but also encapsulates the drama in a tangible way. (More on that later.)

I’m happy to be able to tell this story along with this incredible song.

– – – – –

The song is also the title of FEMM’s upcoming EP THE SIX, and a music video has been released. The video was shot in an industrial area by the sea in Chiba Prefecture, the same setting as the drama. Described as a “summer dystopian movie,” it has an unusually sad storyline created by FEMM and features the two dressed as zombies. The choreography was created by GENDAI, who leads the popular dance team KUROKO.

Be sure to listen to THE SIX and check out the drama series if you can!

The mannequin rap duo FEMM has just returned from an expansive European tour through England, Germany, and France.

The main track from their latest album Tokyo Ex Machina, We Got Each Other, managed to chart for 12 consecutive weeks on the major U.S. radio chart MEDIABASE/Activator Chart, and in September, the two will return to Europe to perform in Spain.

The music video for their song Crawl Away, from their upcoming mini-album THE SIX, has been unveiled. The album will be released on August 17, 202.

Crawl Away (Music Video):

https://youtu.be/4-OuL_OKho0

FEMM has always had cyberpunk as a theme for its visuals, and this time, the duo decided to collaborate with UK-based concept artist Max Prentis to kick up the retro-futuristic feel. The video is both set in a faraway time and nostalgic, bringing together 80s melodies and flashy visuals of a distant Tokyo.

As the duo continues their activities in Europe and the United States, their new song THE SIX is being used as the opening song for the MBS/TBS drama Ikinokotta 6-nin ni Yoru to, which has just begun airing.

Japanese electronic dance duo FEMM continues to impress. While still relatively unknown in Japan, the main track from their latest album Tokyo Ex Machina, We Got Each Other, managed to chart for 12 consecutive weeks on the major U.S. radio chart MEDIABASE/Activator Chart, rising as high as #48 as of June 22, 2022. 

The song Fxxk Boyz Get Money, ranked in the Top 10 on Billboard’s World Albums chart and was also selected as the Best Indies Album at HMV in the U.K. The girls have continued to become popular in the U.S. in Europe. 

The pandemic forced the duo to cancel all festival appearances in the U.S. and Europe. Their recent album Tokyo Ex Machina took over five years to complete.

The music video for Falling For A Lullaby is finally here featuring Jenna Andrews, who previously worked with BTS on the video for Butter. Inspired by the current cyberpunk craze, this song is worth a few dozen listens at a minimum.

Falling For A Lullaby（Music Video）

In terms of visuals, FEMM has received high acclaim from Western media outlets such as Vice, Noisey, and DAZED. The new video was made along with BRDG, a close friend with many fans around the world, and YAMACHANG, one of the best laser artists in Japan. The work stands out for its incredible use of light and color.

Starting in July, the duo will embark on a European tour. The dates are listed below, so if you live in the UK, France, or Germany, don’t miss this stellar show!

Luxury hotel W Osaka will be offering ‘ICHIGO AFTERNOON TEA – Dressed up for Spring,’ a special menu inspired by the fashion duo AMIAYA, from April 1 until May 31, 2022. The menu items will be available at the Living Room area on the hotel’s third floor.

W Osaka Fashion Ambassador AMIAYA

ICHIGO AFTERNOON TEA – Dressed up for Spring

LIVING ROOM

The event will utilize some of the popular strawberry dishes currently popular at the hotel, but will also include some raspberries and orange sweets. Some dishes will be decorated with flower petals, inspired by the vivid fashion of W Osaka’s fashion ambassador AMIAYA. The twins have attracted worldwide attention as models and DJs, and they celebrated their first anniversary on March 16. 

Savory options include a Quiche with Sakura Shrimp and Spring Cabbage and Caramelized Onion and Chevre Cheese plate. Guests can enjoy a total of 12 items prepared by the W Osaka chef team, all displayed on a beautiful afternoon tea stand. Each menu comes with a welcome drink and free refills for tea and coffee.

AMIAYA, a twin fashion unit representing Tokyo and signed to ASOBISYSTEM, is diving into the Metaverse! MetaTokyo is teaming up with the models to create NFT photography, open a digital pop-up museum, and provide wearable items for fans’ avatars. The collaboration is an official installation for Metaverse Fashion Week held on the global metaverse platform Decentraland. The event began on March 24, 2022.

‘AMIAYA x STREET TOKYO FASHION 2021ss’ takes center stage in this collaboration. The photobook was made with popular street snap magazine STREET with photos taken by editor-in-chief Shoichi Aoki. The two models are seen wearing the latest Tokyo fashion on the streets of Harajuku and other areas of Japan’s capital city. The company is intent on promoting local culture and fashion worldwide as part of the ‘Web 3.0 Era.’

SPACE, a pop-up museum built on land owned by MetaTokyo in Decentraland, is now highlighting the AMIAYA and STREET collaboration with an immersive photo exhibition. Fans can also snag AMIAYA-themed wearables for their avatars.

Photos from the AMIAYA x STREET collab are now available as NFTs on OpenSea, the world’s largest NFT marketplace. A total of 330 unique items will be available, so don’t miss out!

The book store BOOKMARC, owned by Marc Jacobs, will host a new photo exhibition featuring the fashion unit AMIAYA. The pink-haired twins have attracted worldwide attention as fashion icons representing Tokyo style. The event is being sponsored by the fashion magazine STREET, which has been disseminating street fashion since 1985. The event is running until March 30, 2022. 

AMIAYA x STREET TOKYO FASHION 2021 Spring/Summer is a photo collection showing off the newest trends modeled by AMIAYA with the help of STREET Magazine.

AMIAYA have been active as a models since their teenage years, and these photographs taken by STREET editor-in-chief Shoichi Aoki prove that they have many successful years ahead of them.

Japanese electronic dance music duo FEMM has become popular influencers around the world. Following the success of the pair’s song Fxxk Boyz Get Money, the mannequin duo ushered in a new era in the female rap scene, with their debut album ‘Femm-Isation’ entering the Top 10 on the U.S. World Albums Billboard chart.

The pair, RiRi and LuLa, released their second album ‘Tokyo Girls Anthem’ in December 2021. The release featured Boys Noize, who produces music for A$AP Rocky and Frank Ocean, Danny L Harle, who produces for Charli XCX, and Star Boy, who works with DaBaby and Lil Uzi Vert. 

After dropping the music video for Mental Health feat. Yup’in, one of the most unique songs on the album, the pair have now released the video for Lolly.

Lolly (Music Video)

Produced by LISACHRIS, who has provided music for ANARCHY and ZORN, the addictive and aggressive track is surprising, considering the sweet title. The flow of native English also makes this an incredibly catchy song.

Following Peach, Come & Go, and Keep it Cool, Lolly takes place in the virtual city of New Tokyo created by Max Prentis, a London-based creator popular for his Japanimation-inspired cyberpunk illustrations. 

Fashion icons show the modern and historical charm of Kanazawa, Japan

TOKYO, JAPAN (16 November, 2021) – Channel 47, a company focused on globally promoting the appeal of local and popular Japanese culture through the power of entertainment, is excited to debut their new “HAKKEN” video series today, 16 November, highlighting the wonderful modern and historical tourism aspects of Kanazawa City in Ishikawa Prefecture. “HAKKEN” is the Japanese word for discovery, which is the core feeling this new video series is aiming to convey. Channel 47 wants toinspire viewers to discover the wonders of Japan’s local culture through these shortfilms.

The debut videos feature fashion icons AMIAYA and ETSUNA (both represented by ASOBISYSTEM), each exploring a different facet of what Kanazawa has to offer curious visitors. These films were produced by Channel 47 as a part of promotional efforts for the Kanazawa Film Festival held in September of 2021. These entries in the “HAKKEN” series were informed by Channel 47’s shared philosophy with the Kanazawa Film Festival, to disseminate the culture of Japan’s countryside and promote its appeal worldwide.

In the first video, twin model & singer duo AMIAYA discover the “pop” elements of the city at locations such as the Omi-machi market, the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, the Nagamachi Samurai District, and more. Along the way they sample delicacies from some of Kanazawa’s highly rated restaurants. Through their experiences viewers will see art, food, shopping, and scenery that has high appeal among visitors.

Watch “HAKKEN – Discover Kanazawa with AMIAYA”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9-gD-ftTE0

Find AMIAYA online

Official Website: https://asobisystem.com/talent/amiaya/

AMI Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amixxamiaya/

AYA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ayaxxamiaya/

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/AMI__AYA

In the second video, fashion designer and influencer ETSUNA takes a different approach and wanders the traditional side of Kanazawa. Starting with a stroll in the Higashi Chaya District, her journey takes her to make ceramic art at Hokutoh, and to see historic locations such as the Ishikawa Bridge, the Gyokusen’inmaru Garden, Sannomaru Square, and more. To fit the traditional theme of her visit, she visits Kimono & Antiques Soki and gets dressed for the occasion. Viewers will see through ETSUNA’s exploration the beauty and historical legacy of Kanazawa City.

Watch “HAKKEN – Experience Kanazawa’s History with ETSUNA”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3h-57mhouU

Find ETSUNA online

Official Website: https://asobisystem.com/talent/etsuna/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/etsunaotsuka/

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/etsuna_artist/

ABOUT KANAZAWA FILM FESTIVAL

The 15th Kanazawa Film Festival was held from September 18-20, 2021 in Theater 21 at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary art in Kanazawa. The festival has a reputation not only for the high quality of films presented each year, but also for its “New Directors with Promising Talent” program. This year 83 films were entered in the “New Directors with Promising Talent” program, and 11 of them won screening rights. The Grand Prix was awarded to MELIA’s “Experiential Tour”, for which she also received the special Channel 47 Award.

More information on the Kanazawa Film Festival can be found at

 https://www.eiganokai.com/event/filmfes2021/kanazawa/

ABOUT CHANNEL 47

Channel 47 is a project that using the power of entertainment to communicate the appeal of Japan and its different regions to overseas audiences. Through planning and producing events with celebrities and personalities, Channel 47 creates content that conveys the appeal and charm of Japan’s many different regions to viewers all over the world. Channel 47 created the post-movies for the 15th Kanazawa Film Festival, held in September 2021. Additional efforts to promote the event overseas include producing

English subtitles for “Alien Painter” which was screened as a Kanazawa Film Festival Scholarship Film.

For more information about Channel 47 please contact: info@channel47.jp

Beginning September 10, a new collection from women’s brand BETTY’S BLUE and jouetie will be available on RUNWAY channel, ZOZOTOWN, and a jouetie shops nationwide. Tokyo fashion icons and twins AMIAYA serve as creative directors for jouetie, and their style is sure to give these pieces some added flair.

Preorders for the collection are currently open on the ZOZOTOWN and RUNWAY channel websites.

BETTY’S BLUE Blouse M (White / Bordeaux / Beige): ¥8,800 each (Tax Included)

BETTY’S BLUE Patterned Dress M (Pink / Purple / Beige): ¥9,900 each (Tax Included)

BETTY’S BLUE Bag (Red / Pink / Purple): ¥3,300 each (Tax Included)

Launched in 1985, BETTY’S BLUE continues to be loved by fashionistas of all ages. With this limited-edition release, the brand is reviving its popular trend of releasing collaborative merchandise.

Under the concept “MIX GIRL,” the brand’s collaboration with jouetie aims to combine both rock and girly styles into one signature street fashion look. Utilizing BETTY’S BLUE’s pop coloring, the collection features three items in multiple colors: the blouse, the dress, and the bag.

The trendy blouse, complete with frilly collar and voluminous sleeves, is finished with BETTY’S BLUE’s signature checkered pattern. The long dress covered from top to bottom in a loud pattern, is sure to turn heads. Carry the matching tote bag, and you’ll be ready to stroll the streets of Tokyo looking funky this fall!

Tokyo fashion icons and twin unit AMIAYA have collaborated with street-snap magazine STREET on a new photobook! ‘AMIAYA x STREET TOKYO FASHION 2021ss’ will go on sale August 23 at select bookstores and online.

AMIAYA began their fashion journey in street fashion when they were teenagers, and are currently attracting worldwide attention as icons representing Tokyo style. STREET magazine has been highlighting unique international streetwear since its first issue in 1985, and both parties are using this collaboration to help the fashion industry, which has been adversely affected by the pandemic.

The magazine features snapshots of AMIAYA wearing the hottest Tokyo fashions on the streets of Harajuku and other popular areas around Japan’s capital. The photos were taken by Shoichi Aoki, photographer and editor-in-chief of STREET.

Each photo has the power to open up your mind to a new world of fashion, so why not give it a look?

Comment from AMIAYA

“The Coronavirus pandemic has given us a new perspective on fashion, and how we can share it from Tokyo to the rest of the world. STREET magazine has so many readers overseas, and it’s truly made an effort to boost the Japanese fashion scene. We believe in the potential of fashion to connect Japan to the rest of the world, and we hope that through this collaboration, we share some positive energy through our style.”

Comment from the Editor-in-chief of STREET, Shoichi Aoki

“The pandemic has caused unprecedented damage to the entire fashion industry, and it has become more difficult to share Japanese fashion with the rest of the world. Fashion is not something unnecessary–it’s something important for Japan, and for humanity as a whole. AMIAYA are Japanese fashion icons that are recognized around the globe. They are somewhere between reality and the virtual world. By having them model on the streets of Tokyo, I wanted to create something to convey the current state of Japanese street fashion with international audiences. It took a year and a half of shooting while adjusting AMIAYA’s schedule, but it’s finally being published. Even if it seems like a small project, even the smallest activity can have a massive impact.”

The Canadian semi-permanent tattoo brand Inkbox launched a special collaboration with the pink twin duo themselves AMIAYA, icons of Tokyo fashion.

AMIAYA are symbols of Tokyo pop culture and have garnered attention worldwide. Their influence spreads far and wide – not only are they models but DJs, creative directors at the apparel brand ‘jouetie,’ and more. Flowers are the theme of their Inkbox tattoo collaboration which they show off in a special shoot taken for the release.

The semi-permanent tattoos use stickers to plaster the tattoo on the skin. Everything from the tattoos to the packaging capture the vibe and aesthetic of AMIAYA.