PLEASE TELL US………………
January.18,2007
1. How do you handle the MUJ pageant system and tell something about your coaching style and reputation as a national director (are you strict/tough/laid-back…?).
My involvement in the Miss Universe started when I was Hong Kong, representing celebrity models for IMG Models, at the end of 97. Donald Trump had just bought the Miss Universe trademarks. We have a friend in common in New York, and my name popped out during a conversation. Next, I was asked to implement an event in Japan within the next 2-months period and to bring a “Miss Japan” to Miss Universe in Hawaii.
Honestly I had never envisioned being involved in a beauty pageant, neither less to direct one, my passion and my knowledge being high-fashion. Also, in Japan, beauty pageants had a very low image after one scandal making head news in the past.
I thought I would just do it for a year and leave it. But here I am 9 years later talking to you!
I now live in Tokyo with my family, have implemented a total of 9 events since then. My best friends in the industry, Peter Elias, director of Miss Trinidad & Tobago and Denis Davila, Directing the Miss Canada Competition both have helped me a lot since I started.
The first year, I was flying from Hong Kong to Tokyo regularly. I tied-up with Dior and Harry Winston, also with the Park Hyatt hotel that hosted the event, and honestly, by being associated with such power-houses, I was able to bring back the event to life.
I believe my best achievement so far has been to grow the event in Japan from a one night event, to an all-year promotional activities tied-up with various medias. Building up a strong marketing program allowed me9 years later, to sign some multi-year deals with leading companies such as Samantha Thavasa, Asience, Evian, Jaguar, Maybelline New York, TBC and Transcosmos.
I am very close to the finalists each year, I style them, teach them, during the 7 months promotional activities to built up to the final. I am very strict with them also there are a lot of crying and dramas for sure. Some might say, that I am more of a dictator than a director! I am aware that what is expected from them is incredibly hard, some have to put on-hold their studies or their jobs for 6 months to concentrate on the competition. But at the end, I remain very close to past finalists and winners because when they look back, I believe that they realized how much experience and maturity they have gain throughout those months of dedication. Nobody looses at the end, they all win in confidence and that what matters.
2. “Japanese delegates in Miss Universe break the norms of fashion” Please expound.
People know me as a rule breaker which is true, but I must admit that all the noise is not all mine. My delegates represent Japan, a country full of trends. They all have one point in common: [fashion]. If you walk in the street of Tokyo, you will be immersed into individual creativity. Fashion is a lifestyle, a culture. The candidates that apply all have initially a personal style and a lifestyle that represent Japanese fashion. Also, when they go to compete at Miss Universe, it reflects who they are. Yoko Ono was the first Japanese women to represent Japan on an international level. It is not something new, and Miyako projected just that 2 decades later when she competed in panama.
Kurara has lived in France, Spain and New York. She reads Le Monde and USA Today. She buys international women magazines. She projects a complete new image for the Japanese women, much more more westernized.
3. Who designs the gowns of your delegates?
It is a decision that is taken by the delegate herself, we visit press rooms of Japanese and foreign designers, unknown as well as world famous. She decides based on their personality.
In 98, Nana competed in Dior because she was crowned by John Galliano. She was a big fan and it was her dream to meet him. Cinderella fairy tale comes true!
In 99, Satomi Ogawa presented a unique gown made of sakura flowers, by Japanese designer Keita Maruyama.
In 2000, Mayu Endo wanted to wear Fendi and her gown arrived in Cyprus the day after the preliminary show!
In 02, Mina chose Valentino, and her father bought the dress for her, because I could not get a deal with Fendi directly.
In 03, when she won, Miyako signed a one-year endorsement contract with Celine and her gown was sent from Paris just before she left for Miss Universe. She loved it and it was her choice. Miyako is not a beauty queen but a diva, and this outfit was perfect for her moves on the stage. It was her competition and she felt unique. Indeed she was. She made a statement, a fashion statement that was all hers.
I arrived just 2 days before the final in Panama and I was worried that the organization would be upset with me, also I brought with me a long coat made by one English designer in Japan, who is a drag-Queen by the way and a good friend of mine. I asked Miyako to wear it in case she would land in the top 10. She did. Also, I asked her to change her dress to a more conservative Celine gown if she would reach the top 5. She did. Have I done a mistake by telling her to change? I believe I did. Because she looked like everyone else up there at the end, plus she got betrayed by her “lost-in translation” translator.
Last year Yukari’s gown made big waves as well. Yukari’s is a street fashion lover. She made a fashion statement that reflected her personality: teasing-glamour and outrageous- exhibitionism, it was her choice again. The designer Toshikazu Iwaya is the new Japanese Alexander McQueen, and Yukari’s absolute favorite. His designs are a reflection of underground and “gay-is-hot” influences. I got nailed for it by many pageant fans! It was a big risk, but at the end it made so much back home, Dress Camp being the ultimate fashion brand in Japan, “the hottest ticket” in town during the fashion week, with Tokyo fashionistas and several well known socialites and celebrities attending..
Kurara chose her gown as well from Novespacio 2006 Fall Winter collection.
4. Describe Kurara Chibana.
Kurara is sweet and fun; she comes across as a real person with who you want to have a conversation, to travel with, to go out for dinner. She is someone who laughs easily and naturally. She is grounded and generous. A good friend, a good sister, a good mother to be. She has the right balance between beauty and brains. She is also, a good professional, passionate, curious, focused and honest.
Her edge at Miss Universe has been her maturity, and the fact that she speaks 4 languages, 2 of them being crucial in Los Angeles (English & Spanish). She is a pro-writer also she has been very strong during her interviews with the judges and on stage.
My involvement in the Miss Universe started when I was Hong Kong, representing celebrity models for IMG Models, at the end of 97. Donald Trump had just bought the Miss Universe trademarks. We have a friend in common in New York, and my name popped out during a conversation. Next, I was asked to implement an event in Japan within the next 2-months period and to bring a “Miss Japan” to Miss Universe in Hawaii.
Honestly I had never envisioned being involved in a beauty pageant, neither less to direct one, my passion and my knowledge being high-fashion. Also, in Japan, beauty pageants had a very low image after one scandal making head news in the past.
I thought I would just do it for a year and leave it. But here I am 9 years later talking to you!
I now live in Tokyo with my family, have implemented a total of 9 events since then. My best friends in the industry, Peter Elias, director of Miss Trinidad & Tobago and Denis Davila, Directing the Miss Canada Competition both have helped me a lot since I started.
The first year, I was flying from Hong Kong to Tokyo regularly. I tied-up with Dior and Harry Winston, also with the Park Hyatt hotel that hosted the event, and honestly, by being associated with such power-houses, I was able to bring back the event to life.
I believe my best achievement so far has been to grow the event in Japan from a one night event, to an all-year promotional activities tied-up with various medias. Building up a strong marketing program allowed me9 years later, to sign some multi-year deals with leading companies such as Samantha Thavasa, Asience, Evian, Jaguar, Maybelline New York, TBC and Transcosmos.
I am very close to the finalists each year, I style them, teach them, during the 7 months promotional activities to built up to the final. I am very strict with them also there are a lot of crying and dramas for sure. Some might say, that I am more of a dictator than a director! I am aware that what is expected from them is incredibly hard, some have to put on-hold their studies or their jobs for 6 months to concentrate on the competition. But at the end, I remain very close to past finalists and winners because when they look back, I believe that they realized how much experience and maturity they have gain throughout those months of dedication. Nobody looses at the end, they all win in confidence and that what matters.
2. “Japanese delegates in Miss Universe break the norms of fashion” Please expound.
People know me as a rule breaker which is true, but I must admit that all the noise is not all mine. My delegates represent Japan, a country full of trends. They all have one point in common: [fashion]. If you walk in the street of Tokyo, you will be immersed into individual creativity. Fashion is a lifestyle, a culture. The candidates that apply all have initially a personal style and a lifestyle that represent Japanese fashion. Also, when they go to compete at Miss Universe, it reflects who they are. Yoko Ono was the first Japanese women to represent Japan on an international level. It is not something new, and Miyako projected just that 2 decades later when she competed in panama.
Kurara has lived in France, Spain and New York. She reads Le Monde and USA Today. She buys international women magazines. She projects a complete new image for the Japanese women, much more more westernized.
3. Who designs the gowns of your delegates?
It is a decision that is taken by the delegate herself, we visit press rooms of Japanese and foreign designers, unknown as well as world famous. She decides based on their personality.
In 98, Nana competed in Dior because she was crowned by John Galliano. She was a big fan and it was her dream to meet him. Cinderella fairy tale comes true!
In 99, Satomi Ogawa presented a unique gown made of sakura flowers, by Japanese designer Keita Maruyama.
In 2000, Mayu Endo wanted to wear Fendi and her gown arrived in Cyprus the day after the preliminary show!
In 02, Mina chose Valentino, and her father bought the dress for her, because I could not get a deal with Fendi directly.
In 03, when she won, Miyako signed a one-year endorsement contract with Celine and her gown was sent from Paris just before she left for Miss Universe. She loved it and it was her choice. Miyako is not a beauty queen but a diva, and this outfit was perfect for her moves on the stage. It was her competition and she felt unique. Indeed she was. She made a statement, a fashion statement that was all hers.
I arrived just 2 days before the final in Panama and I was worried that the organization would be upset with me, also I brought with me a long coat made by one English designer in Japan, who is a drag-Queen by the way and a good friend of mine. I asked Miyako to wear it in case she would land in the top 10. She did. Also, I asked her to change her dress to a more conservative Celine gown if she would reach the top 5. She did. Have I done a mistake by telling her to change? I believe I did. Because she looked like everyone else up there at the end, plus she got betrayed by her “lost-in translation” translator.
Last year Yukari’s gown made big waves as well. Yukari’s is a street fashion lover. She made a fashion statement that reflected her personality: teasing-glamour and outrageous- exhibitionism, it was her choice again. The designer Toshikazu Iwaya is the new Japanese Alexander McQueen, and Yukari’s absolute favorite. His designs are a reflection of underground and “gay-is-hot” influences. I got nailed for it by many pageant fans! It was a big risk, but at the end it made so much back home, Dress Camp being the ultimate fashion brand in Japan, “the hottest ticket” in town during the fashion week, with Tokyo fashionistas and several well known socialites and celebrities attending..
Kurara chose her gown as well from Novespacio 2006 Fall Winter collection.
4. Describe Kurara Chibana.
Kurara is sweet and fun; she comes across as a real person with who you want to have a conversation, to travel with, to go out for dinner. She is someone who laughs easily and naturally. She is grounded and generous. A good friend, a good sister, a good mother to be. She has the right balance between beauty and brains. She is also, a good professional, passionate, curious, focused and honest.
Her edge at Miss Universe has been her maturity, and the fact that she speaks 4 languages, 2 of them being crucial in Los Angeles (English & Spanish). She is a pro-writer also she has been very strong during her interviews with the judges and on stage.
