Within the human experience is a constant tension between the need to conform and the need to be an individual. At the heart of the desire for conformity lies a fear of exclusion. Challenging this desire is a need to express and distinguish yourself – to fulfill your dreams and desires - to convey your perspective and to be recognized and appreciated for your unique self by those around you. Tokyo Adorned shows us a rare honest glimpse into the identity of individuals who push the boundaries of this expression. There is a particular subculture of mostly women in Tokyo where they embrace an exaggerated, extravagant, and boundary-pushing fashion to subvert this inherent duality when it comes to presenting their identity. These women deliberately curate every aspect of their outward appearance to make sure they become vibrant manifestations of themselves. Every fashion choice is a declaration, a refusal to be invisible, forcing the world to truly see them. Thomas Card’s “Tokyo Adorned” highlights the rare honesty that emerges in these extraordinary displays of our internalized selves. For “Tokyo Adorned” Card creates a series of portraits. Overthrowing the typical notion of these women being encountered on the bustling metropolitan streets of Japan, becoming a mass of color and flare, Card positions each subject alone on a white wall. The sharp clarity of the portraiture allows us to carefully observe every detail, every choice, and every accessory. Their complex narratives embodied within their fashion and style to unravel before us manifesting their personality in a tangible form. They twirl and spin across the photographs, at ease by Card’s masterful guidance, rejecting the often intrusive gaze for one that invites us to look longer and more closely as we learn each woman’s story and celebration of the self. What could feel otherworldly, as each woman dominates the room with vibrant color and intriguing plays of materiality. The unrelenting desire of these individuals to create a visual language for their own personality resonates with viewers of all backgrounds. We are posed with questions about our own identity and what needs we each possess when expressing it. Thomas Card shines a light on a subculture of forward thinkers, embracing creativity, artistry, and extravagance as a means of communication that matches the pace and innovation of the modern age. We are left asking ourselves, how can we catch up?