Juliana's

For the pizzeria located in Brooklyn, see Juliana's Pizza.

Juliana's, also known as Juliana's Tokyo (ジュリアナ東京), was a Japanese discothèque that operated in Shibaura, Minato, Tokyo^[1] from May 15, 1991 till August 31, 1994.^[2] It was famous for its dance platforms, on which office ladies dressed in "bodycon" (abbr. (wasei-eigo): "body conscious" (ボディコン, bodikon; "sexually flattering clothing")^[3][4]) clubwear would congregate, as amateur go-go dancers (professionals were also employed).^[5] The club was produced by Masahiro Origuchi^[6][7] for the British leisure services group Juliana's (led at the time by Michael Wilkings and Mark Vlassopulos), and Nissho Iwai Corporation, the Japanese general trading company (now part of Sojitz).^[8]

"Bodycon" one-piece dress similar to those used at Juliana's

Entrance to what was Juliana's Tokyo, 30 years later

Musical style and legacy

Juliana's started out playing Italo house then quickly following popular trends to Hardcore techno. The Juliana's producers published a series of compilation CDs which were popularizing techno in Japan. The album sales were an essential part of the business concept along with contracting with sponsors led by VP of marketing Reef Addison and Juliana's President Gary Calicott.

Cultural impact

The Juliana culture represented a hedonistic youth culture which had, at that stage, only recently arrived in Japan. The gyaru subculture found its expression in high school girls and office ladies alike transforming into Juliana girls in the evening, whereas men often came to the club in business suits.

References

The club "Disco Queen" in chapters 18, 19, and 21 of the rugby manga No Side^[9] by Ikeda Fumiharu (池田文春)^[10] is a reference to Juliana's, down to the white feather fans used by the dancers.^[11]

The club Juliana's is mentioned several times in the shōjo manga Hana Yori Dango by Yoko Kamio (神尾 葉子).

Earthquake Bird movie has club scenes heavily influenced by Juliana's and bodycon fashion styles.^[12]

See also

• Herve Leger—the fashion house founded by the creator of the body-con dress