Lactose Intoler-Art – Street Style-Inspired Art & Fashion in Tokyo

Posted on 9 Oct. 2014

Artist Brandon Reierson (better known by his nom de plume “Lactose Intoler-Art”) is a well-known personality in Tokyo’s famously fashionable Harajuku and Koenji neighborhoods. For decades, photographers have documented every detail of Tokyo’s one-of-a-kind style tribes. What makes Brandon unique is that he doesn’t use a camera. He spends his time in central Tokyo sketching in his paper notebooks the most exceptional outfits he sees on the streets.

Brandon first caught our eye several years ago on Harajuku’s Cat Street. We were immediately intrigued because we rarely – if ever – see anyone drawing street styles. After browsing through several over-filled sketchbooks he was working on that day – and recognizing some of his art from Tumblr – we were hooked on Brandon’s unique take on Tokyo’s street fashion scene.

Now based in Tokyo, Brandon grew up in a small town in Oklahoma. The small town experience – along with a lot of 1990s pop culture (especially Nickelodeon), and of course Japanese street fashion – are all strong influences on his artwork. In the Lactose Intoler-Art worlds Brandon creates, nothing is perfect – and the grotesque becomes normal.

Since moving to Tokyo, Brandon has been working hard to give back to the street fashion scene that’s given him so much inspiration. After several years of selling handmade accessories under the Lactose Intoler-Art brand name, he has just launched his first full fashion collection. He’s also lent his illustrative powers to other designers – including one (Revasseur) who was featured in Singapore Fashion Week last season.

Brandon has big dreams for the future – and big hopes for the future of Tokyo’s street fashion scene. Please check out our Lactose Intoler-Art short documentary film and find out more about Brandon and his work!

Find Brandon online at:

Photos by Kira.
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About the photographer:
Born in Japan, educated in Japan and the US, Kira shoots exclusively with Canon DSLRs. Photography assignments include fashion, bands, sporting events, and portraiture for various companies and bands throughout Japan & the world. His portfolio can be viewed at Artist-Photo.