Tokyo Mode Diaries #2 “See Me Fly” Featuring Michael Kors
As we all chase our own dreams, whether in Tokyo or New York or Hong Kong or Sao Paulo, it’s always a question of, “When will it happen to me?”. I spoke yesterday of myself seemingly living the “American Dream” while in Tokyo. I thought it best to ask some others around me who I believe are living, or on their way to achieving the ultimate American Dream. And I’ve got the New York-based team from my Michael Kors shoot ringing in on why they are chasing the dream there, and I’ve got longtime friends Melody Yohko, Shogen and Maciej around me who I’ve seen come to be great successes in Tokyo through sheer work and determination on this side fo the pond. Here’s what they have to say about working hard, failure, and chasing the dream.
Oy, the word “muse”. Overused, but it’s so much better to be a muse than an “it” girl or “idol”. Muses inspire, enlighten, and are the product of themselves and no image machine. I think it’s great to have someone to look up to and emulate and respect. I often get asked if I have a japanese celebrity I look up to but I just couldn’t really come up with one who HAD..something, something special to me. And then recently I came to know a woman named Mari Natsuki. She embodies a deep sense of self, her own style that is unique but at the same time carries off a quirky elegance with aplomb. She also has a really young heart that makes her easy to talk to, despite me being from a really different world in several ways.
Same person above… whaat. 上の写真と同人です。変身力がとにかくす、す、凄い！
She is a multitalented artist: dancer, singer and actor are all on her resume. She was in “Ping Pong”, one of my favorite Japanese movies. (for people outside Japan, you may know her as the original voice for the Yubaba character in Ghibli’s “spirited away”). And she also manages her own image which means she’s a true fashion icon.
Here she is with her partner Nobu Saito (ALSO A RAD ROCKER) attending DIOR couture in Paris. Um, can we say “chic”? She actually puts some Hollywood chicks to shame. こちらはパートナーの斉藤ノヴさん（彼もロッカーなんだけど、超ナイスガイ！）と一緒にパリでDIORのクチュールショーに出席した時のスナップ。ハリウッドのitガールより遥かにシックだと思う！zimbio photo
So when I told her about my story for Tokyo Mode Diaries and she agreed to play a part in it, I was…floored, to say the least! You’ve got to see her in it here!
Fun fact: The ring she’s wearing is her own, but from her vast collection of vintage Armani! She brought a whole bunch of personal items for me to play with! 裏話：この写真ではめてるリングは実は夏木さんの私物アルマーニ！撮影にたくさんのビンテージアルマーニを持ってきてくれてめっちゃ興奮しましたわ〜
We recently became close because we share a common hobby: blogging! Actually Mari started an online magazine that embodies her rock n roll spirit and is aptly named “Natsuki Rock” think if it as like a Japanese GOOP (Gwyneth Paltrow’s online mag) but with a bit more edge. Check it out here!
I recently had the opportunity to hear her speak about the magazine and her thoughts on life and style at a private afternoon tea in Tokyo. The theme was red, andI recalled the first time I met her in a chic “St Laurent” hat so I tried to follow suit by wearing something really chic. And then Mari goes and comes out wearing a red straw bob wig ala Yayoi Kusama! I was totally upstaged and couldn’t help but laugh at that. So onto the talk…
“I wanted to create an alliance of like-minded people. Perhaps like a religion (laughs). Something positive, a community on the web. “
How is it going?
“It’s tough!! I’m a totally analog person, so I’m so proud I was able to do this much. I started it in March of this year and we have a 4 hour editorial meeting every week. I’m on Twitter now too, using it everyday. “
“I love feedback; if there are any suggestions, or anything anyone wants to know, then let me know!”
She also recently wrote a book! 本も最近だしてます！さまざまなライフアドバイスが記載されている。アマゾン←
Natsuki Style
“Being sweet and cute is ok, but I think it’s ok to act like a strong, cool woman. In japan our culture seems to be built around being like a child forever, and I want to show that there’s another option out there”
Any advice?
“I try not to use negative words like “I hate this”. Rather I use positive words to express my opinion; for example “I prefer this over that”. It will change how you think about life and make you feel so much better about negative situations. Try it, it’s amazing.” (I actually do this too! It really helps!)
Mari is a singer with a rock n roll side. She has a yearly support concert called One of Love project GIG that offers opportunity to teach about the wonder of music to children in 3rd world countries and the people who perform with her are in the same vein; Anna Tsuchiya, Sara Mary and Kafka Shishido for example. She is going to be performing at Fuji Rock for the first time this year on the 27th (same day as Bjork!) so if you’re there check her out and rock out!
夏木マリさんはロックのシンガーで、途上国の子供達にバラと音楽を通じて、未来に繋がる仕事を贈るために、毎年 “One of Love プロジェクト GIG” という支援コンサートを行っている。私もこの間観させてもらったけれど同じ気持ちを持つ仲間としての土屋アンナ、紗羅マリー、シシドカフカなどが登場して大盛り上がり！そして彼女はなんと、今年初めてとなるフジロックへの参加が決定！気になる日付は... 7月27日！ (ビョークと同じ日！)(苗場食堂 20:10～20:50, ORANGE COURT 11:30～12:30) もしみんなもフジロックに行くなら、夏木マリさんをチェックして！一緒にロックしよう！
