From Magical Girls to Muscled Muses: JoJo’s Bizarre Fashion Adventure
If magical girls taught us that transformation is power, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure taught us that transformation could also be fashion. Where Sailor Moon twirled in ribbons of light, JoJo’s characters strike death-defying poses in costumes that could pass for Mugler runway relics — hyper-stylized, avant-garde, and often ahead of their time. The show blurs the line between anime and haute couture, proving once again that fashion is not just clothing; it’s narrative armor. Creator Hirohiko Araki's unique artistic style, characterized by bold lines and dramatic silhouettes, has not just redefined character design in anime. It has left an indelible mark on haute couture and celebrity fashion.
Araki's deep appreciation for fashion is evident in his work. He frequently draws inspiration from high-fashion magazines like Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, and Spur. His characters often sport outfits reminiscent of designs from renowned fashion houses such as Versace, Dior, and Mugler. This fusion of fashion and fantasy has led to characters whose attire rivals the creativity found on international runways.
These aren’t cheap aesthetics. Araki has collaborated with Gucci (the “Rohan Kishibe Goes to Gucci” exhibition and the Jolyne, Fly High story), Balenciaga, and even Bulgari—his art practically breathing high-fashion across shop windows and runway channels.
Character Spotlight: Fashion as Identity in JoJo
Jonathan Joestar – The original JoJo embodies Victorian elegance fused with early 20th-century sportswear. His high-collared jackets, broad-shouldered coats, and fitted trousers evoke both nobility and clear heroic strength. Araki emphasizes clean lines and proportional silhouettes, conveying Jonathan’s moral rectitude and physical discipline. Subtle details like gloves and cravat accents signal refinement and social class, while the restrained color palette reinforces his upright, stoic personality.
Joseph Joestar – In contrast, Joseph’s wardrobe evolves from playful to strategic. Early in Battle Tendency, he wears midriff-baring tops and bold headbands, reflecting a youthful energy integral to his initial characterisation. By Stardust Crusaders, his coats and caps are heavier, darker, and more angular, mirroring his cunning and maturity. The use of color blocking, straps, and exaggerated accessories reflects both his adventurous spirit and readiness for battle.
Jotaro Kujo – Perhaps the most iconic JoJo style, Jotaro’s school uniform is both familiar and subversive. The classic gakuran silhouette is altered with long flowing coats, exaggerated collars, and chains dangling from the lapels—details that signal rebellion and assert dominance. His hat, seamlessly blending with his hair, is a signature Araki quirk, creating a visual continuity that’s instantly recognizable in cosplay and high-fashion tributes.
Giorno Giovanna – Giorno’s designs in Vento Aureo are theatrical yet elegant. Tailored suits in pastel colors, open chest cutouts, and symbolic ladybug motifs convey his charisma, ambition, and latent vulnerability. Araki incorporates ornamental embroidery and flowing lines to suggest motion and narrative rhythm, almost turning each pose into a runway-ready tableau vivant.
Jolyne Cujoh – Jolyne pushes the boundaries of gendered fashion. Her body-hugging top and sculpted pants, pierced with strategically placed cutouts and butterfly motifs, articulate both strength and femininity. Her color palette—vivid greens and blues—signifies transformation, echoing magical girl aesthetics while grounding her in a more urban, realistic context. The play of textures, from smooth leather to metallic accents, transforms her wardrobe into armor suitable for both combat and visual storytelling.
Across all JoJo generations, Araki’s costume designs are not mere decoration—they are extensions of personality, lineage, and narrative tension. The balance of historical reference, haute couture inspiration, and theatrical exaggeration creates a visual language that resonates across manga, anime, cosplay, and even real-world fashion exhibitions.
Prosciutto – Inspired by a 1996 Gucci ad featuring model Georgina Grenville, Prosciutto's design pays homage to high-fashion aesthetics.
Bending Gender, Breaking Norms: Queerness in JoJo Fashion
One of the most revolutionary aspects of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is how Hirohiko Araki subverts traditional gender norms through costume. Male characters routinely wear crop tops, skirts, mesh, and form-fitting silhouettes that would be considered hyper-feminine in conventional media, while female characters like Jolyne and Erina sport structured, almost militaristic designs that convey agency, power, and presence. These choices aren’t accidental—they challenge the binary understanding of masculinity and femininity, positioning fashion as a narrative tool for identity expression.
Chains, cutouts, and ornamental embroidery accentuate muscular bodies and curves alike, emphasizing the body as a fluid canvas rather than a fixed gendered template. The use of bright colors, floral motifs, and playful accessories on male characters disrupts expectations of stoicism and aggression, introducing a queerness that exists naturally within the story’s universe.
This approach resonates with cosplay communities and fashion designers alike, inspiring gender-fluid collections and editorial spreads that draw directly from JoJo aesthetics. By normalizing flamboyance, theatricality, and cross-gender styling, JoJo doesn’t just create visually striking characters—it celebrates queerness and fluid identity, turning exaggerated manga fashion into a radical, real-world conversation about self-expression, liberation, and the limitless possibilities of sartorial storytelling.
Real-World Fashion Collaborations
The influence of JoJo on the fashion industry extends beyond the screen:
Gucci x Araki x Spur: In 2011, Gucci collaborated with Araki and the Japanese fashion magazine Spur to create a special exhibition titled "Rohan Kishibe Goes to Gucci." This collaboration featured a life-size figure of Rohan Kishibe and illustrations by Araki incorporating Gucci's 2011–2012 fall/winter collection.
Alton Mason at the Met Gala 2025: Supermodel Alton Mason made headlines by wearing a JoJo-inspired outfit at the 2025 Met Gala. His ensemble, which drew directly from the anime's aesthetic, showcased the growing influence of JoJo on mainstream fashion.
Celebrity Embraces JoJo Fashion
Celebrities have also embraced JoJo's fashion-forward designs:
Megan Thee Stallion: The rapper showcased her love for JoJo by cosplaying as Jolyne Cujoh at the 2024 Crunchyroll Anime Awards. Her outfit, complete with green space buns and a bodysuit, was a modern reinterpretation of the character's iconic look.
Megan Thee Stallion's Nail Art: Further displaying her admiration, Megan Thee Stallion shared nail art inspired by JoJo's unique animation style, featuring intricate character details.
The Enduring Legacy of JoJo's Fashion
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure has transcended its origins as a manga and anime series to become a significant cultural force in the fashion industry. Its characters' distinctive styles continue to inspire designers, artists, and fans worldwide. Through its bold integration of fashion and storytelling, JoJo has proven that style is not just about clothing—it's about identity, expression, and the art of storytelling.
XOXO, The Fashion Stock Market
Cover Photo: Pinterest
Editor: Felicity Field
