Kawaii-B All About: Kyary Pamyu Pamyu

Everyone is raving about this super-cute idol, that almost every kawaii girl wishes they could be! But just who is she? And what's her story?

Young Kyary before gaining fame

Kiriko Takemura is Kyary's real name, and she was born on January 29, 1993 in Tokyo. She is most famously known of course by her stage name Kyary Pamyu Pamyu. She is now both a Japanese model and J-Pop recording artist, not only famous in Japan, but all over the world for her out-there fashion sense and spectacular live shoes and music videos.

Kyary performing at Japan Expo 2012

Her image is centered around Japan's kawaisa and decora culture, which originates from Harajuku, a neighborhood Tokyo, famous for its fashion trends. Kyary has admitted that she was actually born into a strict family as an only child. Her parents weren't big fans of her outrageous dress sense, and in her autobiography Oh! My God!! Harajuku Girl, she talks about how she would often have to sneak out with her outfits hidden in a bag, then change into them later, so her Mother wouldn't find out.


Kyary's journey began as a fashion blogger, and she later became a professional model for Harajuku fashion magazines such as Kera! and Zipper. After gaining sizable fame, Kyary collaborated with the Eyemazing company to produce a line of fake eyelashes called ^" and also began appearing in local fashion shows.

Kyary modelling in KERA! Magazine

Kyary explains that her stage name came from originally wearing blonde wigs to school, and after that, a friend began calling her "Kyari" (a phonetic Japanese spelling of the Western name "Carrie") and the name stuck. Kyari also took dance lessons at a young age, and expresses she always loved to dance.

 In July 2011, Kyary released her first promo single "PonPonPon", and explained that Gwen Stefani, Christina Aguilera and Katy Perry were here inspirations at the time. The music video for "PonPonPon" a bright, fun and almost psychedelic tribute to kawaisa and Decora culture, became a viral hit, which then led to it being reported on by MTV and even The Huffington Post. Kyary was catapulted almost instantly into super-stardom.