JYOSHI Monthly: Vol 1

Welcome to JYOSHI Monthly!

This is a monthly interview column with Western gaijin gals and jfashion icons.

I hope you enjoy delving into the private lives and insights of these up-and-coming gals in the community!

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Vol 1: Mando's World

Mando is a First Nations gal from Alberta, Canada. Mando is known for their skillful makeup, artistry and painting, and their sweet disposition.

Mando was chosen as April's JYOSHI because of their flexible makeup style, kindness, and overall experience and reputation in the community.

Previously I had connections to Mando through their partner, but via this interview I was able to get to know them well! Please enjoy learning about Mando!

You can find their social media here:

@nehiyawnaughty & @mowshroom

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Interview

Q: When did you start gyaru and why?

Mipochi. Gal famously in Soul Sister and model for Thirteen Japan.

A: I started doing gyaru around age 15?? I was interested in it for about a year before that. I had always been a visual kei

Cocona, also known as Serina. AV Gal.

stan at heart but seeing an image of gals randomly on tumblr

changed something in my brain (lol). I wanted to be pretty too!! My main inspos at the time were Mipochi and Cocona.

Q: Tell us about your relationship with your partner, Brailon! Did you bond over visual kei and gyaru?

Mando and Brailon. Taken from Mando's Instagram, @nehiyawnaughty.

A: I lucked out super hard with him actually!!! Him being super into visual kei was a complete coincidence, it was also a coincidence that he happened to be attracted to gyaru (lol).

It’s a fun hobby we share together! It’s nice to have someone who understands my hobbies and vice versa, and gifting stuff to each other is super easy, haha.

Q: What does gal mean to you?

A: Gyaru for me is part of my creative outlet, I’ve always loved experimenting with makeup and fashion. I’m also obsessed with the entire aesthetic and I can’t

imagine living my life any other way to be honest! Being cute and feeling sexy with my friends is what I want for the rest of my life!!

Rokku Mando! Aren't they gorgeous? From Mando's Instagram, @nehiyawnaughty.

Q: Do you see yourself being gal for a long time?

A: I see myself as being gyaru forever honestly. It’s been so long for me that it feels unnatural to think of myself as anything else. Maybe I’ll dress in a more

mature fashion one day but I think i’ll always carry gal in my heart and spirit.

Q: Do you have any advice for other gals, at any experience level?

A: It’s always a good idea to brush up on your gyaru history and watch YouTube videos and vlogs, if you can find them, of older generations of gyaru to learn more about the lifestyle! Don’t be shy to ask for help from veteran gals and also learn more about current fashion trends and incorporate them into your style as well. Gyaru isn’t really that hard if you know what you’re doing!!!

Mando's phone from their high school days!

Q: What's a trend you love and want to see come back in style?

A: I miss faux fox tails so bad! I remember that was the first accessory I ever bought for myself and I felt SO COOL walking around with it. Also I've always collected keychains and I wish having an obnoxious amount of phone charms would come back!!!

Q: What do you do for work, and does it allow you to be gal? What are your hobbies?

A: I work on the reserve answering phones all day, haha. Thankfully my job is pretty lenient on work attire (as long as it’s within reason, of course) so it’s been easy to

still style myself accordingly! I don’t do full gyaru make at work however. I work with a lot of elders and my building is sealed off from the public so it would be kind of a moot point.

I’m also a painter outside of gal! I’ve had a few projects featured on different platforms and even currently have one of my paintings featured in a gallery in Toronto! I also do a lot of gaming in my off time.

Q: Do you have a New Year's resolution?

A: My new years resolution is to get better at gal and dress up more! COVID made it super hard to do anything, but now that things are opening up again I'm confident I’ll be able to

live life a little more.

Q: Do you have a favorite beauty product you'd like to recommend?

Huda Beauty Rose Quartz palette, Mando's go-to!

A: ELF No Budge Shadow Stick in white!!! It’s from their Cookies n' Creme collection, it’s the BEST for nose stripes and namida bukuro!!! I also highly recommend

the Huda Beauty Rose Quartz eyeshadow palette! Out of all of my makeup this one is my all time favourite.

Q: Is there anything you'd like to share about First Nations/Nehiyaw Ayisyiniw people?

A: I only know of 2 other gyaru who are also First Nations like I am and I hope that one day there will be more!!! We’re a very under represented group in a lot of things

and it would be really cool to see more Native people in j-fashion spaces! I’ve lived on a reserve for most of my life now, and opportunities like this are very important to me.

Q: Thank you for sharing! Do you have any closing comments for our readers?

A: I'm so excited!! Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share a little bit about myself :)

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Thank you for reading!

I hope you enjoyed reading about the amazing Mando, and I invite you to read next month's issue!