Photographer Denny Renshaw has been photographing the Japanese fashion tribe Roller-Zoku since 2013.
Photographer Denny Renshaw has been photographing the Japanese fashion tribe Roller-Zoku since 2013.
Courtesy Denny Renshaw
He first encountered the rollers while on vacation in 2009, while walking around a park in Tokyo.
He first encountered the rollers while on vacation in 2009, while walking around a park in Tokyo.
Courtesy Denny Renshaw
The Roller-Zoku -- like many of Japan's fashion tribes -- often meet weekly at parks in the city.
The Roller-Zoku -- like many of Japan's fashion tribes -- often meet weekly at parks in the city.
Courtesy Denny Renshaw
Mesmerised by the Roller-Zoku's flair, he returned to Tokyo in 2013 for a different project, but simultaneously began to photograph his first images for the series.
Mesmerised by the Roller-Zoku's flair, he returned to Tokyo in 2013 for a different project, but simultaneously began to photograph his first images for the series.
Courtesy Denny Renshaw
"This was my first photo of the Roller-Zoku that I got excited about. I was really happy with his charisma and energy. I made it in 2013 and it inspired me to pursue this as a larger project," says Renshaw.
"This was my first photo of the Roller-Zoku that I got excited about. I was really happy with his charisma and energy. I made it in 2013 and it inspired me to pursue this as a larger project," says Renshaw.
Courtesy Denny Renshaw
He returned to the United States with what he describes as a promising but "incomplete" series.
He returned to the United States with what he describes as a promising but "incomplete" series.
Courtesy Denny Renshaw
Renshaw then returned to Tokyo in 2015 in order to further add to the series.
Renshaw then returned to Tokyo in 2015 in order to further add to the series.
Courtesy Denny Renshaw
Although Renshaw says he was initially met with some resistance and challenges when trying to create the portrait series ...
Although Renshaw says he was initially met with some resistance and challenges when trying to create the portrait series ...
Courtesy Denny Renshaw
... a chance encounter with a Japanese rock 'n' roll band was crucial in turning the series into what it is today.
... a chance encounter with a Japanese rock 'n' roll band was crucial in turning the series into what it is today.
Courtesy Denny Renshaw
"One night I was at Shibuya Crossing -- one of the most populated intersections in the world -- and I spotted these rockers getting out of a taxi with a guitar. I stopped one of them and asked where they were playing."
"One night I was at Shibuya Crossing -- one of the most populated intersections in the world -- and I spotted these rockers getting out of a taxi with a guitar. I stopped one of them and asked where they were playing."
Courtesy Denny Renshaw
Renshaw was then invited along to the band's gig, which was organized in celebration of Japanese rocker Pitpi -- the vocalist for a highly influential Japanese rock band, The Cools.
Renshaw was then invited along to the band's gig, which was organized in celebration of Japanese rocker Pitpi -- the vocalist for a highly influential Japanese rock band, The Cools.
Courtesy Denny Renshaw
"The image of Pitpi is a favorite of mine. I feel Pitpi shows the style and cool embodied by the Rollers and it was an honor to photograph someone respected by this tribe as influencer and a pioneer," explains Renshaw.
"The image of Pitpi is a favorite of mine. I feel Pitpi shows the style and cool embodied by the Rollers and it was an honor to photograph someone respected by this tribe as influencer and a pioneer," explains Renshaw.
Courtesy Denny Renshaw
After Pitpi agreed to have his photograph taken, Renshaw was able to convince other members of the group to participate in his project as well.
After Pitpi agreed to have his photograph taken, Renshaw was able to convince other members of the group to participate in his project as well.
Courtesy Denny Renshaw
Renshaw says there are many things that make the Roller-Zoku a unique fashion tribe, but their extravagant hairdos are particularly noteworthy.
Renshaw says there are many things that make the Roller-Zoku a unique fashion tribe, but their extravagant hairdos are particularly noteworthy.
Courtesy Denny Renshaw
"They are called pompadours in the West, but in Japan the hairstyle is called a regent," he says.
"They are called pompadours in the West, but in Japan the hairstyle is called a regent," he says.
Courtesy Denny Renshaw
Some Roller-Zoku will spend hours creating the perfect hair do.
Some Roller-Zoku will spend hours creating the perfect hair do.
Courtesy Denny Renshaw
This year, Renshaw returned to Tokyo once more, in hopes of growing the series even further.
This year, Renshaw returned to Tokyo once more, in hopes of growing the series even further.
Courtesy Denny Renshaw
"This image combines many things that I am interested in for this project. Style, personality, charisma, dramatic lighting, regents, Rock 'n' Roll, etc," Renshaw says.
"This image combines many things that I am interested in for this project. Style, personality, charisma, dramatic lighting, regents, Rock 'n' Roll, etc," Renshaw says.
Courtesy Denny Renshaw
"I like this image as I feel like I see two portraits and two expressions inside this one photograph," Renshaw says. "One portrait in the light and one in the shadow."
"I like this image as I feel like I see two portraits and two expressions inside this one photograph," Renshaw says. "One portrait in the light and one in the shadow."
Courtesy Denny Renshaw
"Their look is so striking -- the big hair and their clothes," explains Renshaw.
"Their look is so striking -- the big hair and their clothes," explains Renshaw.
Courtesy Denny Renshaw
"They have a swagger about them, and an attitude and style that's just a touch dangerous."
"They have a swagger about them, and an attitude and style that's just a touch dangerous."
Courtesy Denny Renshaw