Gwen Stefani's father Dennis Stefani influenced her Harajuku style.
Gwen Stefani
The 46-year-old singer songwriter - who has adorned Japanese style ensembles throughout her longstanding music career and has referred to the culture in her 2007 hit 'Harajuku Girls' - has revealed her parent ignited her fascination with the Asian style after he would surprise her with "treasures" and stories he would bring back from his expeditions around the globe.
Speaking to WWD about how her style has evolved, she said: "He would travel to Japan and come back with treasures. We would hear these stories."
"In the Harajuku district [of Tokyo], which was, of course, happening for years and years before I discovered it, it was the self-expression and the need to be different and unique and stick out and be outrageous. It was always something I loved to do as well. When it came time to shopping for clothes, I said, 'Mom, I don't want to go the mall for clothes. Give me $100. I will go to the thrift store and get so many things.'"
And Gwen - who launched her own clothing label L.A.M.B in 2003 - has revealed her "personal obsession" with the nation and their fashion has led her to question her nationality.
The No Doubt band member quipped: "Having that connection as a little girl and my personal obsession with fashion and tradition and culture and all things modern, I got there and I was like, 'What was happening? I should be Japanese. This is my place. I love this place.'"
Meanwhile Gwen - who has Kingston, 10, and Apollo, two, with her ex-husband Gavin Rossdale - has revealed the past year has been a whirlwind for her.
She explained: "Everything was so unexpected last year - everything from my life changing, my personal life changing and being able to write a record ... Rocky at the top of the steps."
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