Ethical Model and Founder of an Eco Fashion Directory.
Born and raised in Tokyo then moved to Paris. What do you appreciate about the values and cultural background your origin has to offer to your life?
I appreciate the politeness that my origin has to offer to my life. I always carry it with me and it is in my blood. I never want to be rude to others. If anyone is in need, I always want to try my best to help them out. Especially in a busy city like Paris, sometimes people could be sour, but I always remind myself to be who I am.
How has your city grown and changed since you’ve known it?
I was a teenager when I left Tokyo, so I didn’t really explore the city as an adult. But in terms of plant-based, vegan lifestyle, I know that there has been more and more new vegan/ vegetarian cafes. Which makes me very happy. Because people who visit Japan that are plant-based can enjoy real Japanese cuisine in an ethical way, and it also helps japanese people to open their eyes to something new and ethical.
Why did you move to Paris?
I moved to Paris by following my intuition. When I was with an international model agency in Tokyo, I was so tired of being judged by my appearance. I also saw many young girls coming from other countries feeling insecure about their bodies and themselves while working as models. Since Paris is the capital of fashion, I wanted to come here by myself in order to make a positive change in the industry. It was such a spontaneous decision yet the best decision I’ve ever made. When I walk around the city, many memories that I created with many people come to my mind.
Tell us how did you start modeling? Have you ever thought of modeling before and if so, what was the idea of modeling like before you ever had a job?
I started modelling from being scouted on the streets of Tokyo when I was 12. I had thought of modelling before just because I was tall and skinny, so people in school asked me if I was a model or not. When I was a kid, I was always very busy doing both study and competitive swimming, so modelling was not my priority but it was something I wanted to do after swimming. The idea of modelling at the time was, I guess, just becoming famous and being looked at.
When did you start feeling uncomfortable with your own body? What did your lifestyle look back then?
As long as I remember, I started feeling a bit uncomfortable with my body when I was 12. In school, I was compared to another tall girl. When she skipped her lunch, I felt a bit bad for eating my lunch. But when I really started having an unhealthy relationship with my body was when I was 17, studying abroad in Canada and getting signed with a local model agency there. I dealt with extreme pressure from the industry to look a certain way. I ended up suffering from an eating disorder which nearly killed me.
I see my life at the time a dark time, and I never want to go back.
When did you experience that “aha” moment that made you break with old patterns and ways of thinking?
I was at serious risk of having a heart attack and death. I got hospitalized and it really made me realize that “if I don’t recover now, I will die”.
What really helped me recover from my eating disorder was to have gratitude for the food I can have. I realized how lucky I am to be able to have access to good food considering the fact that 1 in 6 people on Earth don't get enough food to live a healthy life. I used to see food as something that would only make me fat but seeing food as fuel helped me break my old patterns.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvt3ZYj4njA&t=15s
Tell us about your latest project: a platform to speak about sustainable fashion based in France?
Paris Ethical fashion, This is a companion website to the Paris Ethical Fashion Meetup group. For information on French ethical fashion brands, links to ethical fashion brands and event information.
kiko hirakawa – sustainable Guide
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They keep things limited.
Design and production is limited and they choose to rather sell out than have wasted fabric added to landfills.
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Sustainably made in California from 100% european Linen.
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‘Once upon a time, in a small country near the big sea, there lived two sisters…’ And indeed, everything started with two sisters, weary from chasing seasons in a fast fashion industry and being sure, that there is a way of slowing this world down a little by creating permanent beauty, without the urge of constant consumption.
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They produce less and refuse the use of leather because of its negative impact.
