Interview with Tiffany Godoy from The Reality Show

Interview, Text & Translation: Editorial Staff

Tiffany Godoy is a crucial figure in the Tokyo fashion scene. Since she moved here in 1997, she has been consistently documenting the happenings of the fashion industry and working as a fashion editor and consultant. She contributes to a diverse range of major international fashion media including style.com, New York Times, WWD, V, Self Service and Encens. Two years ago, she launched The Reality Show magazine with Tomoyuki Yonezu, a renowned Japanese art director. The Reality Show aims to connect high fashion with Tokyo’s culture of street style. Tiffany moved to Paris last year. We have managed to catch her and ask her about her own personal take on the Tokyo fashion scene.

©The Reality Show #3

PHOTO GALLERY

- You moved to Paris last year, but before that, you lived in Tokyo for 14 years. Please tell us a bit about yourself, and what brought you to Tokyo.

It was love at first sight when I met a bunch of incredibly dressed Japanese club kids in San Francisco in the 90’s. Their aesthetic was so new for me, so different from an American or European sensibility. I had to find out why…so I went to Tokyo the summer after I graduated from university and ended up staying and starting my career there as a fashion editor. Worked at the edgiest Japanese publications like Composite and Studio Voice, then branched out on my own. Soon after together with art director Tomoyuki Yonezu founded the creative unit Erotyka, then wrote a couple of books on Japanese street fashion, which led me to hosting a TV show, consulting on trends and branding and exhibitions, a couple of years ago starting a magazine brand, and then getting into the agency Art Director Management in Paris-hence the move, Recently we have created some packing for Veuve Clicquot and Givenchy Parfume and launched the third issue and video of The Reality Show, No 3. focuses on Chanel Couture. I blog for shu uemura, and am contributing to nowness.com, and various publications. I am really enjoying living between Tokyo, Paris and sometimes Mexico City. Completely inspired!

- What was your first impression of Tokyo when you first arrived?

New. Different. Strange. Fun. Confusing.. It was a very internal moment. When you have no distractions like reading signs, overhearing conversations, you reflect a lot. I had no idea what I wanted to do, but felt there was something new I could do from Tokyo. Because all things familiar take on a new context in the way Japanese people adapt and edit them. So everything looked so fresh. The gyaru scene was just becoming mainstream-such a different type of femininity. Harajuku Fruits were everywhere. It was a feast for the eyes. Totally freaky and non-stop. I loved it.

©The Reality Show #3

PHOTO GALLERY