File this one under: Japanese girls must be bugging.

It seems that the new trend that has hit the streets of Tokyo is looking like you just got into a fight with Tyson. Girlie’s throughout the land of the rising sun have taken to wearing bandages as a fashionable accessory.

Here’s the full read from TokyoMango:

“These days, otaku don’t just like cute girls–they like their girls bandaged, eye-patched, and otherwise naked. This relatively recent Akiba fetish is dubbed “kegadoru”—think “kega” (injury) and idol—and has made its way into cosplay circles nationwide.”

Personally, I think the look is disturbing. It has a real “love me, need me, want me cause I’m damaged” feel to it.

Can someone please send these girls some hugs? (and maybe a quick psyche test and a prescription of Xanex)

The Sartorialist is getting a big boost in recognition due to a new gallery show. The Danziger Gallery in New York will be selling picts from Scott Schuman’s daily updated street fashion blog for $1200 each!!!

That’s right kiddies. The same picts you see for free online (and can probably snap up yourself with a walk through Williamsburg) are getting sold and called “art”.

Hell if a blogger can be considered an artist, then we must be beyond the point were they can be considered credible fashion editors.

Expect Scott to show up with his camera to the opening, which means if you want to become a piece of art you might want to try dressing up REALLY, REALLY nice.

Don’t get me wrong. When it comes to fashion New York is king. We have the CFDA, Vogue, the Garment District, the best Fashion Week, Marc Jacobs, Soho, Madison Avenue, Williamsburg’s budding fashionistas, and enough designers to fill Yankee Stadium. But when it comes to style, I sometimes am amazed at how behind the majority of New Yorkers are. Yeah we have of hipsters and a plethora of other stylish individuals, but in terms of challenging fashionable looks we seem to be a bit scared to experiment.

That’s why I’ve been addicted to the street fashion scenes in other cities. Here are some picts for Moscow. The looks are very vintage inspired with little flashes of color. A great look for a city steeped in the shadow of old Russia and the socialist regime.

The normal response to this goes a little like this: rock vertical lines and add an inch or two to your heels. Of course this is pretty obvious advice which means it gets overdone and badly imitated. Some suggestions I can offer to shorties out there is broken down in a couple simple steps.

Step 1. Skip the flats. Yes those ballerina slippers everyone was rocking in the summer seem tempting, but if your looking to up your inches you’re gonna have to go for a bit of a heel. If you are opting for comfort, try a platform heal or wedge where the pressure is on the whole foot instead of the balls. For the cooler days I suggest a good pair of booties. Stay away from shoes that will bulk up your ankles (basically anything Uggs like). Check out these Jean-Michel Cazabat Vauclus Suede Ankle Boots ($595) or the Tashkent by Cheyenne The Fratton Bootie ($620). Both add length and will keep you warm in the winter, plus they aren’t Uggs (thank god).

Step 2. Shorten the skirt. If you are shorter in the legs you might want to consider bringing up the hem line. Try a skirt or dress with a line that ends at or slightly above the knee. Don’t go any higher. The risk of moving from extended leg line to streetwalker is a line too easy to cross. This Take A Bow Skirt by Twinkle ($367) brings up the hem without looking to mini. For a dress check out this Young Fabulous & Broke Boho Dress ($190), it adds some length by shortening your hem and adding to your cleavage line.

Step 3. Control Your Waist. When you’re height-challenged it is easy to go from sleek and slender to short and stout. The main cause for this a lack of a defined waist. Belt up and you’ll be amazed at your ability to create a more flattering figure and give yourself some height. The Paul & Joe Frack Butterfly Belt ($319) or the Twinkle Whisky Belt ($154).

Step 4. Show the Girls Off. You can easily add length to your torso by skipping the demur and a giving the girls some breathing room. The look will give you a little more pop and help with the overall height. Adding jewelry can refocus attention high up your bust line and leave you feeling a bit less exposed. This Rachel Pally Bishop Sleeve ($220) is perfect cause of it’s ability to bring attention up without shortening your shape. You may want also consider dresses from Alice + Olivia like this Deco Wrap ($138). These designers are known for designing for a smaller frame, perfect for the short lady looking for a bit of trendy style.

Step 5. Up Do is a Do. Not suggesting you rock the Winehouse, but I’d suggest bringing the hair up. The look can be a simple up do, but it’ll add inches. The high ponytail may be a good look that’s a bit retro. Gwen Stefani is one girl who knows how to rock an up do. For a pony check out something like Keira Knightly’s up look. All will add height without looking dated.

Hope that answers you question shorty and keeps you looking tall and trendy.

Alright Indies, I’ll admit this is a bit of a baited question. I am currently outside of the stylish safety zone known as New York City and in an area that is stuck in a bad episode of “What Not To Wear”, Cleveland, Ohio. The city seems drenched in frat boy politics and suburbia insanity. Aside from the obvious fashion WTF?!? (khaki pants, Uggs, and hair that leaves the untanned looking like they we’re just electrocuted) there are a number of other offenses for which this city must be deemed least stylish in America (haven’t been to them all so there is some room for discussion on this one).

You may ask why this metropolitan is spending his Thanksgiving in the date rape capital of America (ok Duke University might have a one-up this place). Fortunately, it is out of love (visiting the wifeys family which are far removed from any judgement since they all maintain more than enough style). Last night on one of the “biggest party nights in Cleveland” we headed to Bar Louie, a sports bar nestled near the shopping village of “Bitchwood” (Beachwood for all you “tourists”). The place was packed to the walls with … men. Not gay men, but straight, slightly desperate men who were looking for women … in a sports bar. A DJ played hits from 2005 in the back of the bar to a dance floor of mainly women (I’m assuming that most of the dudes here haven’t received the memo that if you’re gonna pick up ladies you might want to know how to move your feet.). As classics like Usher’s “Yeah” and Lil Jon’s “Get Low” came on it seemed that the stylishly challenged were unphased by the fact that these were the same songs they’ve been hearing for the past two years. Favorite fashion no-no’s included Ed Hardy tees, trucker hats (how are these still around), and on one insatiable party girl, a velor track suit (for home yes, for party no). Feeling an uncontrollable desire to tap a keg and/or hit a beer bong, we left the party before any one offered us a jello shot (they were only a buck and on two occassions I considered giving up my Belevedere martini for a taste of the wiggle).

Next stop was BarFly, which upon arrival had a line out the door filled with Abercrombie tee shirt wearing jock wannabe’s and RAPs (Russian American princess) with streaked blonde highlighted hair (very natural looking). Once inside, a blast of 90’s techno and a sign which read, no joke, “Please Respect Women. Thank You. BarFly Management” greeted us. We headed downstairs to “the dancefloor” where video screens projected what can only be described as x-rated versions of an iPod commercial featuring overweight silhouettes bumping and grinding against each other. As Mel C’s “I Turn To You” came on I thought about how cool it would be if Kara Walker created video versions of her prints since the ones shown on-screen of lesbians making out seemed to have the crowd riled up. At this point I was distracted by two “ravers” who seemed to be reliving some adventurous dance routine of their late teens. Later some chicklet in orange cargo pants and a tube top decided to gyrate to the floor as some durf who looked like the aborted fetus love child of DJ Qualls and Dustin Diamond cheered her on. Aside from the fact that I felt the need to check my drinks for roofies, the night was pretty fun, a little escape from New York to a place where you don’t need to worry about what you wear and the music is always familiar, mainstream, and overplayed. Kind of like Cheers but without the irony. Can’t wait to get home.

P.S. Yeah, I know. I’m an asshole.

The New York nightlife scene is starting to feel a little bit too Hollywood for my tastes. The paparazzi which crowd over celebs like lens carrying vultures are no longer confined to stalking socialites on Rodeo Drive. The new slew of trigger happy photogs haunting the New York scene aren’t concerned with Britney’s breakdowns and Lindsay’s newest man, but instead turn their pop shots to the drunk partiers, crossdressers, and fag hags that frequent New York’s hip”ster” spots.

Last nights party for indie band Young Love seemed to be like blood in the water for these snap happy sharks. Merlin Bronques of Last Nights Party, Nicky of Nicky Digital, and Tone of Photo by Tone were all invading the scene, giving unsuspecting partiers the chance to be famous, if only for one click. Merlin (sans bad Tina Turner wig) even took to the stage crouching behind members of Young Love as he snapped photos of the crowd. Being photographed by one of these photographers has become a right of passage, a status symbol for desperate celebu-nots looking for a little bit of fame. But who are these indie-photographers making a name for themselves in the underground?

Here’s our snapshot of the clicksters you need to know.

1. The Cobra Snake a.k.a. Most Likely to Succeed

Real Name: Mark Hunter, 22

Trigger Style: Known for his unstructed photo style and ability to capture celebs and party people in the most comfortable poses The Cobra Snake quickly rised from obscurity to become one of the most sought after nightlife photographers around. The Cobra Snake is the pioneer of the nightlife scene and has been snapping away at drunk socialites since before he, or I, could drink.

Why We Love Him: The Cobra Snake offers a unique look at how the celebrity and the New York Party scene collide. His photos seem to define status and getting snapped by this clickster is worth its weight in New York street cred.

Celebrity Friends: DJ Aoki, Cory Kennedy

The Past: In 2005 there were talks of a Cobra Snake book and reality series, maybe I missed it but it seems that neither of these went through.

The Future: The Cassandra Report, a $100,000 private trends report published for companies like Coka Cola, recently included The Cobra Snake as one to watch in 2007, which means it’s only a matter of time before the Snake sells out.
2. Ambrel aka The Artist

Real Name: Nikola Tamindzic, 33

Trigger Style: Nikola shoots some of the most amazing pictures you have ever seen of drunks and naked people. Known for his careful use of light and ability to capture powerful action shots, his work is one of the few you would feel proud to hang on the walls of your tiny studio apartment.

Why We Love Him: Aside from his amazingly funny work for Gawker, Nikola seems to brdge the gap between the nightlife scene and art. Also, the dude shoots fashion week runway shows better than the greats.

Celebrity Friends: It’s hard to have friends when your a Gawker Stalker

The Past: Was chosen by the Village Voice Best Nightlife Photographer

The Future: More work for Gawker and hopefully an exhibit of his best work.

3. Last Nights Party aka Girls Gone Wild Hipster Edition

Real Name: Merlin Bronques, 29

Trigger Style: Known as the Hipster Pornographer, Merlin has taken his trademark wig and sunglasses and turned himself into the ultimate nightlife lensman. The girlies seem to always be ready to strip down for this effeminate, but definitely not gay, clickster proving that college girls on Spring break aren’t the only ones out there with low self esteem.

Why We Love Him: Hard to say, he’s more of someone we love to hate. I never approach him when he’s wearing the wig cause it weirds me out a bit. When he’s not in character he’s one of the most pretentious assholes I’ve ever met, but maybe I’m just jeolous I’ve never been captured in one of his photos.

Celebrity Friends: The Misshapes, maybe. I don’t know. Everyone hates each other in this scene.

The Past: Recently published a book with his work from the past years. The infamous “I Fucked Merlin Bronques” t-shirt.

The Future: With a website that gets more traffic than all the other photographers combined, it’s only a matter of time before Last Nights Party becomes the end all, say all spot for New York’s Underground Scene.

4. PhotoByTone aka Ghetto Superstar

Real Name: TONE, 26ish

Trigger Style: Like Cher or Madonna, Tone is a one name phenom making his way through the party world. Mostly seen at the hottest Hip-Hop parties in New York, Tone’s photo style is based around pauses in action, when partiers realize it’s time to stop dancing and strike a pose.

Why We Love Him: Tone is my favorite cause he’s the only photographer out there who you’d want to talk to. Plus, he actually shows you the picture after he’s snapped it and lets you yay or nay it. This seems like an obvious thing to do but you’d be amazed how often it never happens.

Celebrity Friends: Roxy Cottontail, Lupe Fiasco

The Past: Roxy’s personal favorite, TONE has photographed her parties for what seems like forever, which in New York speak really is like two months.

The Future: TONE and partner Trevz recently started The New Pop, an online video site for the underground that is quickly become my favorite spot for highly viral video.

5. Nicky Digital, aka Straight to the Face

Real Name: Nick Rhodes, 24

Trigger Style: Known as the close-up king, Nicky can’t seem to focus on anything but straight up face shots. Rather than being intimate photos, the pictures seem more like uncomfortable reminders that hot girls are never really alone in New York City, cause some dude with a camera wants to take your picture and then get your number.

Why We Love Him: Nicky seems to be a real ladies man. I’ve seen him walking through the East Village with some tight little model chick around his arm. Pretty impressive for a dude who looks like an older version of Chunk from the Goonies. (aw that was mean, Nicky is really cool. He’s like the Jack Black of the party scene and can always make you smile.)

Celebrity Friends: Like Black, he doesn’t seem to attract too many celebrity buds.

The Past: Rhodes works as creative consultant and art director for several major publications while devoting his nights to his photography and working around the clock on NickyDigital.com with a single goal, keeping it positive.

The Future: Probably more of the same.

6. I Think Your Swell, aka Papa Polaroid

Real Name: Antwan Duncan, 21

Trigger Style: This newbie has been making a splash in the party circuit armed with a vintage polaroid camera. His photos are both iconically classic and are muted representations of the loud, crazyness that defines the New York Party.

Why We Love Him: Dude walks around with a polaroid camera. How can we not like him? Also, he’s a Threadless contributor who has been responsible for slogan greats like “i want a girlfriend. preferably one that used to be a pirate.”

Celebrity Friends: None yet, but give it time.

The Past: Not much history. The boy is still new to the game

The Future: Fashion Indie will be hiring Antwan to take photos of his favorite street fashionistas and we’re thinking about commissioning the artist for our upcoming print edition, Fashion Indie’s The Look, in your favorite boutiques next fashion week.

Style Wars is underway. These two were spotted in New York City.

One at the Uniqlo store in Soho, the other at some train stop in the Upper West Side. Who wins this weeks Style War? Vote and pick the winner.

The winner from New York (don’t worry we have 20 more pictures coming your way) will compete against Style War winners from around the world. We’re ready to crown the most stylish person in the world. Wanna be a part of the action? Send your picts to stylewars@fashionindie.com for your chance to win.

The whole model-less show Target is hosting at Grand Central this week has me in a bit of a tizzy as to what else we can expect fashion to give up in the next couple of years. Personally, I feel the next obvious step is the death of trends. Being a true New Yorker and witnessing first hand the fickleness of fashion amongst my fellow youth’s (18-24 year old demographic, your still in it baby) I can say with much conviction that we are leaving the age of the trend, the dictorial monster produced by fashion glossies to convince the public that the only way you can look stylish this season is if you flipped through their ad filled pages. This trend of the trendless is best seen in former Boho/Hood areas like Williamsburg.

In less than ten years the borough has blossomed into the new epicenter of fashion, sprouting designers and artists a plenty. The mixture of backgrounds and desire to (sigh) be “different” has produced unique looks and styles which play on the need to represent ones individuality (of course if we’re all trying to be different aren’t we all the same. This moment of Zen brought to you by Daniel Saynt). Couple this desire with the ability to shop online and the sudden boom of fashion blogs offering destinct fashion opinions and you have a new kind of consumer no longer driven by the voice of one Devilish editor. So welcome the goodbye to trends, most New Yorkers already have, and find your own style.

You have to love a site that pits the best street picts from around the web in a no holds bar vote off for style supremacy. Street Clash searches the style blogs for pictures of fashionable folk from around the world. New York vs Los Angeles, Copenhagen vs London, no city is safe from the judging panel. Best of all, all votes are compiled based on users votes, meaning that the public decides who gets kicked off this island (sorry for the old school Survivor reference, I know their hosting the show in space or something now and the island stuff doesn’t fly.) Visit Streetclash.blogspot.com for have your say in the battle.