Where did you grow up? Why did you decide to come to the US?
Well I’m from Japan and that I grew up in a small town next to Tokyo called Kanagawa. My city is Hiratsuka. When I was 15 I moved out of state for a while, came back to Japan, then moved to LA and lived there for 3 years attending Santa Monica College. I live in LA now. My hobby is that I just started surfing, I love cats so I adopted two cats from the shelter. I love going hiking, going to the gym, and that I just started martial arts.
Coat by Celine – Shirt by Represent – Pants by ASOS – Shoes by Android Homme
Why do you want to be a model?
Actually I worked as a waitress at a sushi restaurant and a few agents there asked me to be a model but then I turned them down because of my personality. I’m an introvert and that I do not like getting lots of attention so I avoid getting lots of attention. When the tsunami hit Fukushima in Japan where my aunt and uncle lived, they had to move south, which is Tokyo. So my mom helped them and that I felt like I should return to Japan and help them but then mom said do not take an opportunity and try it. So, I in fact sent the photos to New York 2 weeks before I was supposed to leave LA for Japan. I changed my trip to New York and that I moved there. After that I lived in New York for 2 years, then I lived in London for 6 months. After that, I signed with an agency in Europe, I went to Paris then Toronto, Canada and so on. That’s how I got into the world of modeling.
Have a favourite fashion brand? How would you describe your style? What’s in your cabinet?
I feel like I put lots of thought into what to wear because I feel like sometimes models must wear a certain outfit to show up to agencies or clients. But in fact my personality is more hip hop like Run DMC. It was my first album I ever bought for $30, very expensive but important to me to get my hands on it. This is the first disc I bought when I was 13 or 14 years old. So I got into hip hop. I started taking hip hop classes in town because I wanted to learn, I wanted to be an asshole. So with my outfits, I select a lot from what I see rappers wearing like sneakers, Nikes, and jeans. I like black, white, and silver. It is my favourite color. When I meet new clients I just show my own personality I do not really must be judged by others simply because I work in fashion. I wear whatever I feel comfy with which is normally black jeans and black Nike sneakers with a white t-shirt. I’m not trying to be too creative. I like lots of jewellery. I’d rather spend my money on jewelery than lots of clothes.
Hat by ASOS – Coat by JAGNE – Shirt by Trap House – Pants by DSquared2 – Shoes by Android Homme
What motivates you professionally in the fashion business?
I practice historical Buddhism. I sing every morning and night. I read lots of philosophy and that I have learned a lot from historical Buddhist practices. I feel like I’m not attempting to find something from the gods, saying please give me something. I believe all humans have the potential to overcome things and achieve their goals. Spirituality, I get lots of strength from it every day. It made me consider lots of things because I lost my mother and grandmother 3 years ago. So, I actually suffered and that I feel so lost but looking back, my parents have been very supportive and proud of what I do as a model. Both my parents came from very poor families so they taught me how to truly achieve my goals, chase my dreams, and not give up. There were times I felt like quitting but my mom taught me so long as I have desire in my heart I have to accomplish what I set out to accomplish, which is a cologne or fragrance campaign. That’s my main goal as a model. So practicing Buddhism spiritually helped me achieve my dream.
What are your short term and long term goals?
I’m turning 27 this year and I’ve been modeling since I was 21, so my main short-term goal is to graduate from university at 30 in physical therapy. I want to help kids in the clinic do what I do.
I also want to feel more accomplished as a model over time because I’ve been doing this for nearly a long time. I want to step up as a model and try the runway again. I’ve been walking for Prada but since then I’ve been really depressed by the passing of my mum but now I’m back feeling very motivated about myself. My biggest long term goal is to do a fragrance campaign in my career.
Coat by JAGNE – Shirt by Skingraft – Pants by Fear of God – Shoes by Android Homme
How do you feel you stand out amongst other male models?
I do not really like feeling the need to compete with other people. I at all times only looked at myself and made sure I was continuously improving. I’m not worried about being better than anyone else, I’m just worried about being better than yesterday. I do not really care about how well other models work, I only care about improving myself. I’m continuously challenging myself to do better. I do not continuously compare myself to other models, I just want to be the best that I can be.
Coat by Francisco Van Benthum – Shorts/Leggings by Trap House – Shoes by Android
Who would you like to work with in the fashion industry?
I want to work with a different Italian brand like Armani, I like Italian brands.
What is the most memorable experience you have had in the fashion industry?
The best memory I have is with the Prada exclusive runway because my career took off after that. Previously I believed I was called from Louis Vuitton for their runway show but they never got me into the show. So because Prada’s exclusivity makes me more interested in other brands because Prada never uses Asian models in their shows. So, I’m very honored to walk in the show and very happy about it. Also, I got to do a cool photoshoot in the rain in New York with one of the Victoria’s Secret models and that I was honored to be there too. Each of my jobs try not to compare because I’m grateful to have worked with different photographers, stylists and others in the fashion industry and that I value the opportunity to work with all of those people and create something lovely.
#CreativeDirector – @ChaliaBreonn
#Photographer – Viktorija Pashuta @viktorija_pashuta
#WardrobeStylist – @AlexYoung.LA
#HairStylist – Tonya Le @onlytonyale
#MakeUp – Karl Pua @BigPua
Written by, Brittney Washington – @mrs_smith1116
