MM- Conversation With Yoa

Modelogs Moment: A ConversationWith Yoa

After the Pyer Moss presentation for NYFW SS2016, where Haitian CreativeDirector Kerby Jean-Raymond collaborated with performance artist Ki! to tell astory, through art, of police brutality in the African-American community, thefashion world was stunned. Some were enraged (the original venue cancelledonce the content of the show was reported in the Washington Post), while otherschampioned the cause. What I’ve learned to be true is that when a movement isreal, artists (in #lm, fashion and music, as an example) will follow.

Modelogs Moment: A Conversation With Yoa – Modelogs Daily http://daily.modelogs.com/?p=7445

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Within that magical show, Modelogs immediately noticed the beautiful JapaneseNewcomer, Yoa Mizuno. We interviewed and shot Yoa in my home in New York,


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where we realized her extensive knowledge of the history of the City, theJapanese Filmmaker she is destined to work for and how seriously she takesbeing a global citizen.

MD: Where are you from? What’s your ethnic background?

YM: I was born and raised in Tokyo, Japan. My mother and father are fromOsaka, Japan which means my Japanese sounds a little di!erent the than dialectspoken in Tokyo.

MD: Name something you love about your culture.

YM: I love the use of space in Japanese design. For example, in $owerarrangements in the U.S, large bouquets are popular. In Japan, a design may bemore sparse so it incorporates more space into the element of the design. This isalso true in #lm, drawing, and other art forms. That is what I appreciate about myculture. Ah, and I also enjoy the culinary $avors and o!erings.



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MD: How long have you lived in NY? What has been the most enlightening

thing you’ve learned about the city?

YM: I have lived here for 1 year. I would need a whole page if I were going todescribe everything but I think the most enlightening aspect of the city is itspeople. I’ve learned a lot from them since there are so many cultures representedhere. In less than 400 years, NYC has grown from a settlement of under 1,000people to the global epicenter of fashion and business. So the people arecreating the city and the city changes everyday. When I #rst moved to the city, Ithought New Yorker’s had a cold demeanor, but now I realize they are focused ontheir goals and passions. I truly admire their energy and power and I have foundthat the people around me give me more motivation.

MD: How long have you been working as a model? What were you doing prior

to working in the industry?

YM: I moved here for school a year ago, but I have been working as a model forthe past 9 months. When I lived in Japan, I worked simultaneously at three jobs tosave money. I was a salesperson at Ralph Lauren, an assistant for a fashiondesigner, and also worked nights as a bartender. At the time, I thought I couldwork all day without sleeping so I barely got enough sleep. I was young andnaive then, haha.

““EEvveenn bbeeffoorree II wwaass ccaasstt iinn tthhee PPyyeerr MMoossss sshhooww,, II wwaass qquuiitteesshhoocckkeedd ttoo ddiissccoovveerr tthhaatt tthheerree iiss ssttiillll rraacciiaall ddiissccrriimmiinnaattiioonniinn tthhee ssttaatteess.. II ffeelltt II ccoouulldd nnoott aa""oorrdd ttoo bbee iinnddii""eerreenntt aass aann

AAssiiaann wwoommaann..””


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MD: You were cast in the Pyer Moss SS 2016 show and it received quite a lot of


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attention for referencing police brutality towards black men and women in the

US as the source of inspiration for the collection. What was this experience

like for you?

YM: Even before I was cast in the Pyer Moss show, I was quite shocked todiscover that there is still racial discrimination in the states. I saw a lot of peoplewho were angry about these events and I took part in the demonstrations inNYC. I moved here from a very small island in Japan, so seeing those a!airs inthis country was an absolutely new experience for me. At the same time I felt Icould not a!ord to be indi!erent as an Asian woman. The show was extremelydiverse and had strong political messages for everyone. I was de#nitely inspiredby the way the show a!ected the audience, and I felt again that NYC is a placewhere people can speak up and honestly share their opinions. So it was truly agreat experience for me.

MD: As a model, what feature or quality gets you cast the most?

YM: To be honest, I don’t even know. I mean, we only get a short time to presentourselves at most of the castings and I always wonder why they actually chooseme. But I guess it’s all about the aura I have and they probably like my look. Still Ialways wish I could have a bit more time to talk to Casting Directors, then I’m surethey would like me more.


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MD: Creative Director, Designer or Photographer — who would you like to

work with that you have yet to work with?


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YM: Japanese #lmmaker Sion Sono. One of my goals is to be in his #lms one day.


MD: Twitter, Snapchat or IG, which is your preferred Social media forum?


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PREVIOUS POST

The Secret Life of Lakshmi Menon

What’s your handle?

YM: Mostly Instagram: @yoa_mizuno

YYooaa iiss aa nneewwccoommeerr aanndd iiss rreepprreesseenntteedd bbyy SStt.. CCllaaiirree MMooddeellss iinn NNeeww YYoorrkk.. PPhhoottooggrraapphheerr CChhaauunnnnaa MMiicchhoollee sshhoott YYooaa iinn mmyy hhoommee iinn NNeeww YYoorrkk eexxcclluussiivveellyyffoorr MMooddeellooggss..

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MM- Conversation With Yoa

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