In 2004 Gwen Stefani released an album in which she referenced her clothing line and Harajuku girls approximately 284 times.
She proceeded to appear in TV interviews with four Harajuku girls and pretend not to see them.
It was all a bit Lady Gaga before Lady Gaga was Lady Gaga, wasn't it.
This was one of the most brilliantly bonkers 'international pop smashes' ever.
Then on her second album she turned to yodelling, which was all a bit much.
Most of 'The Sweet Escape' is incredible however. The title track, for instance.
Stuart Price did a couple of extremely good Gwen remixes, and Richard X's take on 'Cool' was very nice indeed.
In 2011 Gwen decided to go back to being the frontwoman for pretty popular - and when they're not trying to be 'ska' pretty amazing - band No Doubt. The 'fruits' of all this were expected in the summer of 2012...