Japanese schoolgirl fashions and subcultures have sprung up, burned out, mutated, and evolved into a pop culture phenomenon gone global from Gwen Stefani's "Harajuku Girls" to Gothic Lolita-fueledmangaand the deadly schoolgirl inKill Bill, it's no wonder that international fashion designers look to the streets of Tokyo for fresh inspiration. This playful and thoroughly researched handbook examines the key styles and subcultures past and present: sailor-suited gangsters, Pippi Longstockings risen from the dead, girls in blackface, teens sporting giant hamster costumes, and more. Each fashion profile is packed with photos and illustrations, history, ideal boyfriends, and must-have items. Also included are a gatefold evolutionary fashion chart, resources, and makeup tips. At last, an in-depth guide to what the girls are wearing and why on earth they're wearing it.

Patrick Macias and Izumi Evers have written and produced several books on Japanese pop culture. They split their time between San Francisco and Tokyo.

Kazumi Nonaka is an artist and rock 'n' roll guitarist whose illustrations have been featured in Japanese magazines and TV shows. She lives in Tokyo.