Pamela Wasabi from WasabiFashionKult.com
Photos by Elizabeth Ferguson
One Saturday night my best friend Carol and I were approached by a girl with red dreadlocks at White Room. She asked if she could take Carol's picture because she liked her style. After the shot was taken I talked with the dreaded photographer and she told me that she goes around the city searching for unique fashion and styles to photograph, collect, and post on her website www.WasabiFashionKult.com.
This was my introduction to Pamela Wasabi.
Pamela is not your typical photographer and artist. The one word I could use to describe her beliefs is passion. Her passion for fashion and style is unbelievable, as well as her passion for Miami. When I was getting ready to launch REVMiami one of the first people I contacted was Pamela. She is completely unique and I feel great affinity for her goals.
After going back and forth for a month or two (sorry for the delay!), I emailed her some questions, which you can read below. Shortly after, Liz and I met with Pam to interview and photograph her at Buck 15, where she has an exhibit of her street style-photography, which will be up through the end of March.
I asked Pam about her thoughts on the world of fashion while walking around Buck 15 looking at the different photographs, shirts, and posters.
She talked about the difference between commercial fashion and pure fashion. She hates the idea of a brand. It perverts the whole idea of fashion and stifles the freedom and expression of it. She doesn't believe in collections or lines, but rather campaigns, which she changes every 3 months. [Ric: So this is a bit of a stretch on my behalf. Pamela doesn't have a label or a brand, she is in the "advertisment" business - i.e. she takes photos of other people's work and puts it on her site. She doesn't sell a product, she sells ideas. Also, it's not that she doesn't believe in collections or lines, she just doesn't have her own - she is not a designer, she is an artist that delivers a message. Sorry for the confusion.]
Her current campaign is Be Sinful with Your Fashion. She follows the 7 sins, which coincide with the 7 colors of the visible spectrum. Style with purpose, which is a lot deeper than style because it looks good.
Pam is also the Fashion Editor at Closer Magazine. Keeping in line with the true belief system behind her art, she refuses to use models. She will only photograph local Miami artists, 
and the clothing that she features is done solely by local Miami designers. Part of her joy is finding undiscovered local fashion designers, she loves the idea of "hidden jewels".
Pam's biggest influence is the Harajuku fashion movement in Japan. Every Sunday at the Harajuku Station of the Yamanote Train Line in Tokyo, Japan, groups of young people gather together and show off their outrageous style. Part of the socially repressive Japanese society is that there has always been little explosions of extreme creative behavior. Harajuku centers around extreme fashion styles like gothic lolita (similar to dressing like 1800's young girls), visual kei (extreme glam punk), and cosplay(dressing as japanime characters).
It all ties together with what she is trying to accomplish in Miami. Not only does she express herself in a style similar to Harajuku but she is trying to organize events similar to Sundays at Harajuku Station. Tuesday Nights at Sushi Samba on Lincoln Road, Pam has organized Cosplay WasabiFashion Nights. In the message that Pam sent me about it, she said, "people must come dressed up in their most eccentric, stylish, cool, wasabi outfit!" Also, the theme of each night is guided by the colors of the rainbow. Search for Cosplay WasabiFashion Nights on Facebook for more info.
A lot of thanks to Pam, she gave some insightful answers to the questions I sent. And don't forget to go to her site, www.WasabiFashionKult.com.
What is Wasabi Fashion Kult?
Wasabi Fashion Kult is a fashion, art and Kulture blog that promotes fashion as a way of expression. What I intend to do with this spicy and colorful online "newspaper" is to make people understand that everyone has their own style and personality; they should be very proud of it and rock it every time.
So, I go out at nights to gallery exhibits or to music events, wherever there is a call for art and culture, to document the night by snapping some pictures of the coolest people that I see.
Most of the times these characters happen to be artist, poets, musicians, and free spirit souls that enjoy life, and are different, interesting, and so original by being their own true selves.
How has Miami played a role on the development of WFK?
Miami is a young city that has started to develop among the past few years. As it grows, its crowd grows with her. The art world gets stronger, the culture gets more united. Miami is the soul and inspiration of my blog, because its kids give me the material to prove that there is culture, that there is that thirst for expression, and that passion and respect for the art world.
How do you feel fashion fits into the art world?
Fashion is a business. I would say "Style" is what fits in the art world because it is communication. A visual language. A method of expression. Creativity.
What do you love about Miami?
I love that Miami has lent itself to all these strangers from all around the world and gives them a second chance to reinvent theirselves. Its society is more open to new ideas, it welcomes and warms the growth of a person into an artist.
Is there anything going on with WFK that people can access?
Wasabi Fashion Kult is hosting Cosplay nights at Sushi Samba at Lincoln Road the last Tuesday night of the month after midnight.
You and any other Wasabi friends are welcome to come for a dinner with me, drinks on me, and a spicy fun party night. The only condition is that you have to come dressed up very, very Wasabi.
By that I mean creative - cut up your bleached 80's jeans, wear your pink tutu, your velvet purple gloves, your orange mesh top. Come and celebrate fashion as a way of expression, and have fun with it!
I release a password every Tuesday through myspace and facebook. That is your ticket for a rock star entry at the restaurant that day.
LINKS
WasabiFashionKult (www.wasabifashionkult.com)
Pamela's Myspace Page (www.myspace.com/pamela_wasabi)
Cosplay WasabiFashion Nights Facebook Group
Correct link: Cosplay WasabiFashion Nights Facebook Group
If You Enjoyed This Post, You May Also Like:
- Wasabi Zone::: & Cosplay: Wasabi Fashion (March 17 - St. Patrick's Day) by Pamela Wasabi
- Be Sinful with ur Fashion by Pamela Wasabi
- Dangerously Beautiful by Pamela Wasabi
- Dance Now! Ensemble - December 17
- Live Moonshine 1: The Int'l Language, Hoosha, 7 Seas, Sir Samson Simpson
NOTE FOR COMMENTS: Do not flame or leave obnoxious comments, THEY WILL NOT BE APPROVED. Constructive criticism should always be welcomed by any artist, but don't be a d-bag, show some class. Thanks. - REVMiami Staff
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