Angelica Norwood, owner of the Tokyo Hardcore clothing store, learned to make clothes a few years ago.
"I actually really started making them when I got pregnant, because I stopped going out, and I would just sit at home and sew and sew and sew," she said. "It's kind of a weird reason, but I didn't go out much, so I just made stuff."
Tokyo Hardcore, at 115 Harvard Drive S.E., carries designs by Norwood and local artists Toni Stroh and M80 designer Jeff Hayes, who owns Rival Tattoo in Nob Hill. It will host an opening party at 7 p.m. on Friday with cupcakes and live music by DJ Shake.
Norwood said her designs are inspired by characters in the Japanese children's book Fruits.
"They go all out with their outfits," she said. "They pick a character for the day, and that's what they're going to be. They made all their clothes. And every time I look at that book, I'm like, 'Oh, my God.'"
Tokyo Hardcore model Jillian Stohr was in Norwood's runway show a couple weeks ago at the Launchpad and is featured in the huge posters that advertise the store on Tokyo Hardcore's windows. They were friends before the store opened.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
"I would always ask to borrow her stuff because she always had really cute handmade things," Stohr said. "She'll take, like, a white Hanes tank top or something, and she'll put detail on it, like ruffles. She's super creative like that. I couldn't do that, but it's fun to model her stuff because she is super creative."
Norwood's clothing is priced from $10 to $40.
"I don't like to price my stuff all crazy expensive," she said. "It doesn't take me long to make it. I feel really weird pricing my own stuff high. I'm not a big designer. I just kind of enjoy doing it, and it doesn't take me long at all. So, I'm like, 'Why should I price it high?' I'd rather see more girls wearing it knowing that they didn't spend their entire paycheck on it."
Her dresses and skirts are made out of materials like Rainbow Brite sheets and cloth with McDonalds arches printed on it.
"It reminded me of the deconstructed stuff, almost in the spirit of urban renewal but a different style," customer Katijane Dexter said. "It's definitely aimed at people who aren't afraid to try something new with their fashion."
Customer Marisa Russel said Norwood has a unique perspective when it comes to designs.
"It's very young. But at the same time, it's really fun for people of all ages," she said. "To me, it's very reminiscent of Japanese designers and kind of what the Japanese kids wear. It reminds me of the stuff in that book, Fruits. I just think it's a really different take on fashion, and it's exciting."
Russell said her favorite items in the store are the Japanese toys and designer plush dolls.
"It's a place that I could take my young nephew, and he would find something that he would like, as well as I would find something that I would like," she said. "And it smells really good in the store."
