No one can really catch up with Tokyo’s model and Instagram icon Kiko Mizuhara’s whirlwind of activities. And there’s no stopping her right now.
IF YOU ARE JAPANESE, or into their culture and celebrities, you’d be familiar with Kiko Mizuhara who’s usually featured in the pages of local Japanese fashion magazine, Vivi. And for those of us who are not as familiar with the name or the face, we soon will be. Mizuhara has, in the last decade, catapulted into “It” girl status on the international fashion circuit — thanks to the power of the internet and social media, as well as the burgeoning number of brands, which she counts as partners.
Mizuhara wears many hats. The 28-year-old American-Japanese, currently Tokyo’s biggest model and Instagram (@i_am_kiko) icon, is also an actress, singer and designer. With these many hats, versatility is her middle name; today, she is the girl-next-door with a sweet smile and radiating pure innocence, while a kooky, kawaii Tokyo girl sporting two pig-tail buns is her persona for tomorrow. On the red carpet, she’s a star with a striking presence, always mesmerising with her sleek black hair and a sophisticated sense of style. But despite all that immaculate ’do, there’s no air of pretense surrounding her. On the contrary, she’s always imbuing her girls-just-wanna-have-fun attitude with cutesy, peace sign pose wherever possible — just take a look at her street style snaps.
With more than 15 years of modelling experience, Tokyo-based Mizuhara has fronted more than 100 magazine covers from around the world. In her early days when Tokyo’s modelling scene was heavily populated with ganguro style models who have bleach blonde hair and tanned skin, Mizuhara has kept true to herself: natural black hair and fair skin.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Look At Us
As public memorials face a public reckoning, there’s still too little thought paid to how women are represented — as bodies and as selves.
Two New Jewellery Collections Find Their Inspiration In The Human Anatomy
Two new jewellery collections find their inspiration in the human anatomy.
She For She
We speak to three women in Singapore who are trying to improve the lives of women — and all other gender identities — through their work.
Over The Rainbow
How the bright colours and lively prints created by illustrator Donald Robertson brought the latest Weekend Max Mara Flutterflies capsule collection to life.
What Is Love?
The artist Hank Willis Thomas discusses his partnership with the Japanese fashion label Sacai and the idea of fashion in the context of the art world.
The Luxury Hotel For New Mums
Singapore’s first luxury confinement facility, Kai Suites, aims to provide much more than plush beds and 24-hour infant care: It wants to help mothers with their mental and emotional wellbeing as well.
Who Gets To Eat?
As recent food movements have focused on buying local or organic, a deeper and different conversation is happening among America’s food activists: one that demands not just better meals for everyone but a dismantling of the structures that have failed to nourish us all along.
Reimagining The Future Of Fashion
What do women want from their clothes and accessories, and does luxury still have a place in this post-pandemic era? The iconic designer Alber Elbaz thinks he has the answers with his new label, AZ Factory.
A Holiday At Home
Once seen as the less exciting alternative to an exotic destination holiday, the staycation takes on new importance.
All Dressed Up, Nowhere To Go
Chinese supermodel He Sui talks about the unseen pressures of being an international star, being a trailblazer for East Asian models in the fashion world, and why, at the end of the day, she is content with being known as just a regular girl from Wenzhou.