The origins of visual kei (meaning "visual style") can be found in Japanese rock music. The term was created to refer to bands which have the appearance/dressing of the members as one of their primary focuses of interest. The visual kei look tends to comprise of a combination of gothic, glam and theatrical influences (like Kabuki).

Members of visual kei bands are often androgynous males with meticulously applied make-up and outrageous hairstyles, which in their native country appeal predominantly to teenage girls. Outside of Japan, the small but growing quantity of visual kei followers comprises equally of male and female adolescents and young adults.

Other looks that have become popular within the visual kei trend are Gothic Lolita and its sub-styles, such as Elegant Gothic Lolita (EGL) and Elegant Gothic Aristocrat (EGA).

VK-UK is literally born out of a growing awareness of visual kei in the UK. The artist Niki Hunter has been a long-term enthusiast of visual kei since she discovered J-rock artists like X Japan and Malice Mizer a number of years ago. In 2003/2004 she started realising her own artistic take on visual kei imagery and thus VK-UK was formed.

We at VK-UK hope you will enjoy our visual direction and we will strive to offer a growing range of related goods like posters, prints, apparel, button badges and other merchandise.