“KAWAii!!” themed fashion and music at 2014 J-POP SUMMIT Festival

Ayumi Seto

 2014 J-POP SUMMIT FESTIVAL AND MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON

PRESENT DIVERSE NEW SIDES OF JAPANESE POP STYLE

WITH “KAWAii!!” THEMED FASHION AND MUSIC EVENTS

San Francisco’s Annual Summertime Japanese Pop Culture

Extravaganza Spotlights An Array Of Edgy Fashion Shows,

Live Music Performances And Unique Shopping Opportunities

The 2014 J-POP SUMMIT Festival, San Francisco’s premiere celebration of Japanese pop culture, music, fashion and film, announces the return of a variety of “KAWAii!!” themed fashion shows, contests and live performances showcasing edgy new sides of Japanese pop style along with autograph and meet-and-greet opportunities with some of the J-Pop fashion world’s fastest rising stars.

Japan’s unique “Harajuku culture” has evolved into “KAWAii” culture, which focuses on ever-evolving new forms of “cute” couture and is having tremendous impact on international pop/rock music and fashion. “KAWAii” is a word often used to comment on style and fashion and has become part of the daily vernacular of the youth culture of many countries.

This year’s KAWAii!! events are supported by Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco and presented as the first collaboration with the MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON Project, a new initiative developed by ASOBISYSTEM, a prominent entertainment company based in Harajuku, Tokyo widely known for managing pop icon Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, to promote a wider range of Japanese pop culture on an even bigger, more global level. Additional information on the MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON initiative is available at: http://moshimoshi-nippon.jp/en.

Also returning will be the J-POP SUMMIT KAWAii!! Pop-Up Shop. A colorful Kawaii!! fashion boutique stocked with a wide selection of unique items from some of the hottest labels imported straight from Tokyo will be open inside NEW PEOPLE (MARUQ on Mezzanine Floor). NEW PEOPLE is the renowned Japanese pop culture entertainment complex located at 1746 Post St. San Francisco, CA 94115 in the heart of the city’s Japantown district. More details on are available at: http://www.j-pop.com/2014/harajuku-kawaii.

“POP is Our Tradition” is the theme of the 2014 J-POP SUMMIT and the annual Festival has always showcased the strong influence of pop culture on modern fashion in Japan, which has become an epicenter of some of the world’s newest trends. The J-POP SUMMIT has become one of the largest events in the United States dedicated to showcasing the many sides of Japanese pop culture and fandom. Attendance in 2013 exceeded 80,000 people.

MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON Presents KAWAii!! Events & Special Programming

KAWAii!! FASHION CONTEST
Saturday, July 19th, 1:00pm, Pagoda Main Stage, Japantown
This year, the J-POP SUMMIT will hold a special fashion contest where contestants can show off their own Kawaii fashion style! The Festival welcome Una, Ayumi Seto, Akira and Misa Kimura as judges! The winner will receive KAWAii!! an assortment of premiums including “Aymmy in the batty girls’ products. Additional information on this event is available at: http://www.j-pop.com/2014/harajuku-kawaii.

AYMMY IN THE BATTY GIRLS” FASHION SHOW
Saturday, July 19th, 1:00pm, Pagoda Main Stage, Japantown
Models Ayumi Seto, Misa Kimura, Una and join others from Bay Area to showcase the colorful summer collection from Seto’s brand new fashion line, “Aymmy in the batty girls.” Many of the same outfits featured in the show will be available to purchase at KAWAii!! Pop-Up Store located inside the NEW PEOPLE building (Mezzanine Level).

AKIRA LIVE PERFORMANCE
Saturday, July 19th, 1:00pm, Pagoda Main Stage, Japantown
J-POP SUMMIT fans can catch Akira, a popular model and singer in a special solo live set. She notably debuted as a model for "KERA,” a popular gothic fashion magazine, and quickly became one of the top models in Japan. Akira is also a pop singer and her debut single, "Aoki Tsuki Michite," is featured as the ending theme of the popular anime series, Black Butler ~ Book of Circus. Her music and striking gothic-androgynous style have captured legions of fans both in Japan and internationally and her debut album is slated to release on July 30th. For more information visit: Akira.

UNA LIVE PERFORMANCE
Saturday, July 19th, 6:30pm-8:30pm, J-POP LIVE at UNION SQUARE
Sunday, July 20th, 12:45pm, Pagoda Main Stage, Japantown
Una is a charismatic model well-known in the Harajuku scene for her unique and edgy fashion style. She launched pop music career with her first single “Juicy Juicy” last year and went on to release digital mini album, “True of Lights/Danse Danse.” Una participated in “U-EXPRESS LIVE 2014″ in Saitama and appeared with Katy Perry, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu and released her newest “BOOM BOOM BOOM,” in April. She brings her danceable groove to J-POP SUMMIT for a special concert performance not to be missed! For more details, visit: UNA.

AYUMI SETO AUTOGRAPH & PHOTO SESSION
Saturday, July 19th, 3:00pm, NEW PEOPLE Mezzanine
Sunday, July 20th, 2:00pm, NEW PEOPLE Mezzanine
Ayumi Seto, a fashion model and designer of her own new brand, “Aymmy in the batty girls,” will hold a special autograph/photo session on both days of J-POP SUMMIT! Each day, the first 50 customers to purchase “Aymmy in the batty girls” products during festival will receive a pass! For more information, visit: Ayumi Seto.

KAWAii!! POP-UP SHOP AT NEW PEOPLE
Saturday, July 19th & Sunday, July 20th, 11:00am-6:00pm
NEW PEOPLE Mezzanine
Visit NEW PEOPLE’s retail store, located inside the MARUQ boutique the venue’s Mezzanine Floor, will offer exclusive lines of fashion apparel, designs and accessories imported strait from Tokyo! Don’t miss the new summer collections of “Aymmy in the batty girls,” a new fashion brand inspired by a unique mix of 60s and 70s Americana popular culture, punk and rock fashion designed by model Ayumi Seto.

KAWAii!! MEET-UP AREA Presented By MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON
Saturday, July 19th & Sunday, July 20th, 11:00am-6:00pm
KAWAii!! TENT, Post Street, Japantown
MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON will host a special tents located on Post St. in the heart of the J-POP SUMMIT Festival action where Kawaii fans can gather and meet! Get special info about the latest Kawaii trends, check out new merchandise, and meet other fans and models! More information will be updated at: www.j-pop.com/2014/harajuku-kawaii.

This year, the J-POP SUMMIT offers a wide variety of programming including FREE live concerts by top J-Pop and J-Rock artists on the Pagoda Main Stage in Japantown and also at the special “J-POP LIVE at UNION SQUARE” concert on the evening of Saturday, July 19th in San Francisco’s historic downtown commercial intersection. J-POP SUMMIT will also present a variety of special Guest of Honor appearances, sake-tasting and fine foods events at the POP GOURMET Food Festival, and first-run theatrical film premieres at NEW PEOPLE Cinema that launch the second annual Japan Film Festival of San Francisco (JFFSF). Complete details on key events and major attractions are available at: http://www.j-pop.com and www.JFFSF.org.

Kawaii fashion model Ayumi Seto to celebrate launch of her new clothing brand at 2014 J-Pop Summit Festival

 2014 J-POP SUMMIT PRESENTS A PERSONAL APPEARANCE BY

HARAJUKU KAWAII FASHION MODEL AYUMI SETO TO

CELEBRATE THE LAUNCH OF HER NEW CLOTHING BRAND

Meet The Colorful And Edgy Japanese Fashion Model In A

Special Event At NEW PEOPLE That Also Previews Upcoming

2014 J-POP SUMMIT Harajuku Kawaii Fashion Programming

The 2014 J-POP SUMMIT Festival, San Francisco’s annual celebration of Japanese pop culture, music, fashion and film, joins with Japanese entertainment company, ASOBISYSTEM, to announce a special early treat for fashion and pop culture fans as it presents a personal appearance by Harajuku Kawaii model – Ayumi Seto – at NEW PEOPLE on Saturday and Sunday, April 12th and 13th. She appears for a special autograph session and personal fan meet-and-greet to celebrate the launch of her new clothing line “Aymmy in the batty girls.”

Ayumi Seto brings the debut of her colorful new fashion line, “Aymmy in the batty girls” to the Harajuku Kawaii Pop-up Shop located inside the MARUQ store on the Mezzanine Level of NEW PEOPLE. Photo and autograph sessions will be held at 3:00pm on April 12th and 13th. The first 50 customers each day that purchase any “Aymmy in the batty girls” products will receive a pass to attend the exclusive session. NEW PEOPLE is the renowned Japanese pop culture entertainment complex located at 1746 Post St. San Francisco, CA 94115 in the heart of the city’s Japantown district.

Ayumi Seto first captured the hearts of attendees with her distinctive style at last year’s J-POP SUMMIT Festival, which featured “Harajuku Kawaii!! in S.F.,” a popular fashion event that featured several renowned Japanese models, acclaimed designer and 6%DOKIDOKI founder, Sebastian Masuda, and a live concert by J-Pop superstar Kyary Pamyu Pamyu.

The 2014 J-POP SUMMIT Festival will take place Saturday and Sunday, July 19th and 20th and will present a new edition of “Harajuku Kawaii!! in S.F.” featuring the return of Ayumi Seto and other notable models and fashion luminaries for a series of special live events presented in partnership with ASOBISYSTEM. Programming news and announcements of other events and appearances will be coming soon! Details on the 2014 J-POP SUMMITcan be found at: www.J-Pop.com.

“Aymmy in the batty girls” is an innovative line inspired by a unique mix of 60s and 70s Americana popular culture, punk and rock fashion. The brand concept is derived from the "old school" feel of diners, hamburgers, cherry cola, ponytails, mixed with influences from Aymmy’s big brother whose interests include cult classic horror films, video games and skateboarding. Official “Aymmy in the batty girls” website (Japanese) available at: http://www.aymmy.com.

“Kawaii aesthetics celebrate the essence of Japanese pop sensibilities, fashion and music and has reverberated internationally and made Harajuku the epicenter of J-POP culture, and these aspects are a major foundation of the annual J-POP SUMMIT,” says Seiji Horibuchi, the President/CEO of NEW PEOPLE, Inc. and Chairman of the J-Pop SUMMIT Festival Committee. “As we prepare an exciting roster of programming for the 2014 J-POP SUMMIT Festival, we are honored to give an early taste of what’s to come with this special appearance by Harajuku Kawaii model Ayumi Seto at NEW PEOPLE. We invite everyone to join in all the fashionable fun!”

Ayumi Seto is a Japanese model and designer who appears regularly in a number of Harajuku fashion magazines. Born 1993, she is known as one of the pioneers in a new style called “Kidz Rock,” and her unique fashion sensibilities and creative hairstyles have inspired legions of Harajuku devotees. Following the release of her first fashion book, “AyumiKidz,” in October 2013, Ayumi is preparing to launch her first clothing brand, “Aymmy in the Batty Girls” (“Aymmy” for short), in Spring 2014. The new label will offer a wide variety of girl’s apparel and accessories that reflect Ayumi’s colorful and edgy style.

About J-POP SUMMIT FESTIVAL
Launched in 2009, J-POP SUMMIT Festival is a large street fair in San Francisco, California that celebrates Japanese popular culture every summer. By introducing the latest in Japanese music, film, art, fashion, games, anime, food, as well as niche subcultures, the festival has become a platform to showcase the latest pop trends and innovations from Japan.

The 5th annual J-POP SUMMIT held July 2013, made significant leaps in its programming and welcomed more than 80,000 people in attendance, making it one of the largest Japanese festivals in the United States. In addition to the original street fair held in Japantwon, the Union Square Live concert in downtown San Francisco, the Bay Area’s very first Japan Film Festival of San Francisco, along with sake-tasting and fine foods events at the POP GOURMET Food Festival were all introduced to further enrich the experience. Additional information about J-POP Summit Festival is available at: J-POP.com.