#Japan #Kelluna #Lookism

Kelluna Pop-Up Store and Event at Seibu Shibuya

From September 2nd to 8th, 2023, Seibu Shibuya is hosting a pop-up store for kelluna., a fitness apparel brand committed to promoting self-love and well-being. Founded by Yuna Maekawa, kelluna. employs local women in Sri Lanka who face barriers to entering the workforce. The brand emphasizes the idea that "Beauty comes from self-love" through its products. This event will feature clothing made from deadstock materials and accessories dyed with leftover tea leaves, reflecting a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.

In conjunction with the pop-up store, a talk event titled “Shaberu Rukizumu!” (Talking Lookism) will take place on September 6th, 2023. Guest speaker Kapiko Inuyama, an illustrator and essayist, will join Yuna to discuss the pressing issue of lookism—judging individuals based on their appearance. Despite the progress in understanding this concept, it remains misunderstood and under-recognized in society.

Understanding Lookism

Lookism refers to the societal preference for physical appearance, often reducing individuals to their looks rather than valuing their entire essence. Phrases like, "If you lost weight, you would be cute" or "You're lucky to be beautiful" demonstrate how deeply ingrained these perceptions are. This talk aims to explore the implications of lookism, challenging listeners to rethink societal beauty standards.

By inviting Kapiko Inuyama, who advocates for women's empowerment through her work, the event aims to foster dialogue about the pressures that come with societal beauty norms and the importance of self-acceptance.

Profile of Yuna Maekawa

Yuna Maekawa is a graduate of Keio University Law School, and later earned her master's degree in international relations from Waseda University. Her journey with Sri Lanka began while working at JICA, and she later served as a specialized research officer for the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Sri Lanka. In August 2019, she founded kelluna., focusing on themes of self-love and the issue of lookism in Japan. Yuna actively engages in workshops and lectures on gender and lookism, aiming to raise awareness about these key issues. Her book, “Who’s Beauty For? The Story of Starting a Business in Sri Lanka to Combat Lookism” has received acclaim for shedding light on these topics.

Profile of Kapiko Inuyama

After working as an editor for a fashion culture magazine in Sendai, Kapiko Inuyama turned her focus to personal challenges, caring for her mother with a serious illness throughout her twenties. In 2011, she began illustrating and writing essays about her friends' romantic lives, which gained traction online and led to her first published work with Magazine House. Today, she is a multi-talented personality appearing across television, radio, magazines, and online platforms. Post-marriage in 2014 and motherhood in 2017, Kapiko has become a vocal advocate against child abuse, founding the project “Children’s Lives are Children’s” to support kids in need. Her recent book, “I Don’t Want Girls to Regret Being Born as Girls,” tackles various issues including mother-daughter relations and self-acceptance.

Event Details

Join us at Seibu Shibuya from September 2nd to 8th for the kelluna. pop-up store to discover unique fitness wear designed with sustainability in mind. Don’t miss the **