Today is a new month, and what a way to kick things off!
My very first fashion blogger profile was of Tokyobanhbao of Le monde de Tokyobanhbao. At the time, I was a huge Alizée fan, and had discovered the fashion blogger was commissioned by the French pop chanteuse to draw a manga version of her young daughter Annily, which in turn became a tattoo on the singer’s right posterior forearm. I was inspired to profile Tokyobanhbao’s blog soon after.
To be honest, her profile was what finally helped me kick off this blog after being relatively quiet for two months, wondering how I would, well, blog.
Anyway, I am very honoured to have Tokyobanhbao back again in the new format, which comes with a bilingual bonus: My questions are in English (as always) while her answers are in French; the translations — via Google Translate with help from Tokyobanhbao, as well as the little French I know — are italicized/colour-coded for your convenience. Make the jump to learn about how she came to combine manga with fashion blogging, what to really expect when you set foot in France, and her favourite moment from her five years of work.
Tokyobanhbao of Le monde de Tokyobanhbao showing off her neon green jeans with her leopard print top and sandals.
Name of Blog: Le monde de Tokyobanhbao
Date of Founding: 2007
A Short Description of Your Blog: Un journal de mes looks, mes illustrations et mes coups de coeur resto. / A blog about my looks, my illustrations and my favourite restaurants.
How did you find your way into fashion blogging?
Tokyobanhbao: Je suis tombée sur un blog de mode en 2007 et j’ai eu envie de faire pareil car c’était très sympa de voir des vêtements pas seulement portés par des mannequins.
I came across a fashion blog in 2007, and I wanted to do the same as it was very nice to see clothes not worn by models.
What is the story behind the name of your blog?
Tokyobanhbao: Je l’ai choisi car je suis fan de la culture japonaise (et de Tokyo, que j’ai visité en 2007) d’où « Tokyo. » Et « banhbao » car c’est une brioche à la vapeu farcie à la viande, qui est un de mes plats préférés.
I chose the name as I am a fan of Japanese culture (and of Tokyo, where I visited in 2007); thus “Tokyo.” And “banhbao” because it is a bun filled with meat, which is one of my favourite dishes.
To date, you have authored two illustrated books featuring your character Tokyobibi. How did you decide to combine your passion for fashion with your skills in drawing and your other love of manga?
Tokyobanhbao: C’est venu naturellement car j’aime dessiner depuis toujours et ça me permet de dessiner des tenues que je ne pourrais pas porter ou qui me sont inaccessibles. La combinaison s’est faite sans vraiment réfléchir.
It came naturally because I have always loved to draw, and it allows me to designs outfits that I could not wear or are otherwise inaccessible to me. The combination was done without really thinking about it.
Your blog also deals with travel and places to eat, the latter where you review the restaurants you visit. If there were one city and one restaurant you recommend my readers visit, which city and restaurant would they be, and why?
Tokyobanhbao: Ah ! Ce n’est pas facile ! Je n’ai pas encore tout goûté sur Paris … et encore moins dans le monde ! Mais je vais très souvent au restaurant Sushi Marché en ce moment (l’adresse est sur mon blog) et je me régale à chaque fois (Je recommanderais bien une adresse à Kyoto où je me suis régalée mais je ne me souviens plus du nom).
Ah! This is not easy! I haven’t tasted everything in Paris, nor everything in the world either! At the moment, though, I often visit a restaurant called Sushi Marché (the address is on my blog), and I enjoy it every time (I also recommend a good address in Kyoto where I enjoyed myself, but I cannot remember the name).
France is seen as a center of culture, fashion, art et al, and all through a romantic lens by those who dream of visiting or living there, resulting in potential trouble, if not complete culture shock. What should my readers know about France in regards to cultural norms and behaviour should they plan to visit your country?
Tokyobanhbao: Il doivent savoir que les Français ne sont pas tous habillés en marinière, très peu portent un béret et ne sont pas tous romantiques comme ce qu’on montre dans les films. On a plutôt la réputation d’être de grands râleurs … mais bon, si on cherche bien on est gentils au fond !
They must know that the French are not all dressed as sailors, very few wear a béret, and it’s not always as romantic as what is shown in movies. Instead, we have the reputation of being great moaners. But hey! If you look carefully deep inside us, we are nice!
Tokyobanhbao wearing pink and grey in winter with studs.
Tokyobanhbao: Il y a eu beaucoup de bons moments pendant ces années de blog. Les rencontres (avec mes groupes préférés ou des personnes de milieux différents du mien), mais ce que je retiendrai surtout, ce sont les rencontres avec mes lecteurs pendant mes séances de dédicaces (pour Serial shoppeuse ou Globe-trotteuses) : ça m’a toujours donné de très jolies émotions.
There have been a lot of good moments during these years of blogging. The meetings (with my favourite bands or people of different backgrounds from mine), but what I will remember most are the meetings with my readers for my book signings (for Serial shoppeuse or Globe-trotteuses); I’m always filled with happiness from those signings.
Why do you blog?
Tokyobanhbao: Parce que j’aime écrire et dessiner. J’adorais écrire de longues lettres lorsque j’étais adolescente, maintenant je fais un peu pareil en bloguant.
Because I love to write and draw. I’ve adored writing long letters since I was a teenager; now I do the same by blogging.
What one piece of advice would you offer my readers regarding:
Style: Je n’ai pas de conseil à donner car je suis contre les diktats en ce qui concerne la mode. Chacun doit s’habiller comme il le veut, l’essentiel étant d’être bien dans sa peau … et ses habits ! / I have no advice to give because I am against the dictates when it concerns fashion. Everyone must dress as they want, being essential to be good about yourself… and your clothes!
Drawing (illustrations, comics et al) and writing (blogging et al): Parler de ce qu’on aime et l’inspiration viendra toute seule. / Talk about what you love, and inspiration will come of its own.
Life in general: Profiter au maximum et foncer ! / Make the most, and go for it!
Who is your blog for?
Tokyobanhbao: Je n’ai pas de cible en particulier, tout le monde peut venir !
I have no one in particular; everyone can come!
Any final words?
Tokyobanhbao: Merci de me lire d’aussi loin, c’est ce qui me donne envie de continuer à bloguer encore et encore !
Thank you for reading this far. That’s what makes me want to continue to blog again and again!
Tokyobanhbao can be found on her blog at www.tokyobahnbao.com, as well as on Twitter and Facebook. Her two graphic novels, Serial shoppeuse and Globe-trotteuses, can be purchased through Amazon.fr. Finally, you can also own a trenchcoat touched by her hand as part of a collboration with French designer Philo Régniers through the latter’s boutique.
Photo credits: Wikipedia (title card) + Tokyobahnbao.
What an adorable girl, and it seems like she has a beautiful personality as well! I love her upbeat answers!
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Tokyobanhbao is really cool, and I’m happy to have found her blog when I did. :)
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