popKiller
Japanese pop culture might walk the cutting-edge of quirky style, but the genre's overcrowded with disturbing oddities, like cuddly vagina monsters, and chopsticks with ramen-cooling mini-fans. Festoon yourself without giving children nightmares, at popKiller.
popKiller's a two-store franchise selling Japan-influenced fashion that's mostly made in downtown LA (yet miraculously doesn't smell like hot dogs wrapped in bacon and despair). Though their locations're crowded with everything from clothes to toys, mainstays are the t-shirts, highlighted by a print of Godzilla and Babyzilla razing the Hollywood Hills, a knife-wielding Yakuza in crane-kick stance, and the cutely damning "Japan Sells Beer to Kids" -- which explains Hello Kitty. Accessory-wise, there're hats, belts, bags, and Popkiller-original sunglasses, ranging from straightforward aviators to a thick-framed model with an '80s-futuristic bent (Poke-Trons?).
To abet his originals, popKiller's owner regularly tours Japan; he's just back today with a one-off plaid motorcycle jacket, the latest cell-phone charms, and monsters so gynecological, no mere mini-fan could cool your noodle.
