Lithium Magazine
  • Home
  • About
    • Editors
    • Writers
    • Artists
    • Photographers
  • Contact
    • Work With Us
  • Events
  • Shop
  • Read
    • Sex & Love
    • Culture & Entertainment
    • News & Politics
    • Life
    • Photography
Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
Followers
Followers
Lithium Magazine
Lithium Magazine
  • Home
  • About
    • Editors
    • Writers
    • Artists
    • Photographers
  • Contact
    • Work With Us
  • Events
  • Shop
  • Read
    • Sex & Love
    • Culture & Entertainment
    • News & Politics
    • Life
    • Photography
  • Photography

The Nail That Sticks Out

  • March 6, 2020
  • One comment
  • 1 minute read
  • Callie Keels

Anyone familiar with Japanese culture knows the phrase “出る釘は打たれる,” or “the nail that sticks out gets hammered down.” This phrase speaks to Japan’s conformity, a tenet of its culture which demands its citizens be normal. This desire is seen everywhere in Japan, particularly in fashion—and yet unique subcultures still blossom, even influencing trends on a global scale.

This shoot was inspired by the rise of kawaii culture. What initially started as a subculture characterized by frilly designs, pastels, and an obsession with anything cute has grown into a national phenomenon and global obsession. Its move into the mainstream is partially due to popular Japanese idol groups who have adopted the aesthetic to promote their image of innocence. Kawaii culture is also influencing today’s “soft girl” movement.

I selected the wardrobe and opted for colorful lighting to capture the kawaii aesthetic—and how it’s influencing trends as we speak.

Photos and Art Direction by Callie Bri Keels

Model by Kimberly Kim

Related Topics
  • Asian
  • Callie Keels
  • culture
  • kawaii
  • SUPER!
Previous Article
  • Sex & Love

Unpacking My Celebrity Crush: Adam Driver

  • February 21, 2020
  • Becky Zhang
View Post
Next Article
  • Fashion & Beauty
  • Photography

Pretty Face, Electric Soul 

  • March 9, 2020
  • lithiumagazine
View Post
You May Also Like
View Post
  • Photography

Chasing

  • January 25, 2021
  • Callie Keels
View Post
  • Photography

How to Not Give a Single Flaming Fuck

  • October 30, 2020
  • Grace Wiehl
View Post
  • Photography

The Silly Things We Miss

  • October 29, 2020
  • Abigail Tulenko
View Post
  • Photography

Spotlight

  • August 27, 2020
  • Lauren Hicks
View Post
  • Photography

Wrapped Up

  • August 10, 2020
  • Callie Keels
View Post
  • Photography

A Zine on Coming of Age

  • July 28, 2020
  • Valeria Moreno
View Post
  • Photography

​Cyber-Souvenirs​

  • July 28, 2020
  • Célia Blum
View Post
  • Photography

Is This Now?

  • July 27, 2020
  • Savanna Ruedy
1 comment
  1. libby says:
    April 9, 2020 at 1:19 am

    these are so gorgeous!!!! the lighting makes it ethereal

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Featured Posts
  • 1
    We Can Still Be Vulnerable in the Eyes of Others
    • March 8, 2022
  • 2
    Lena Dunham’s “Sharp Stick” Nails Sexual Awakening in the Digital Age
    • March 7, 2022
  • 3
    F*ck Your Boy Genius—He Doesn’t Exist
    • March 4, 2022
  • 4
    It’s the Perfect Time to Watch Todd Haynes’s Films 
    • February 22, 2022
  • 5
    “She’s Just Like Me”: The Allure of the Writer Diary Twitter Account
    • February 21, 2022
Recent Posts
  • What Sex and Healing Are Like for Survivors of Female Genital Mutilation
    • February 18, 2022
  • The Feminine Urge to Not Shower
    • February 17, 2022
  • The Ethics of Social Media Screening
    • January 20, 2022
Categories
  • Culture & Entertainment (181)
  • Fashion & Beauty (36)
  • Life (170)
  • News & Politics (80)
  • Photography (63)
  • Sex & Love (75)
Search

Input your search keywords and press Enter.

 

Loading Comments...