{"id":2030,"date":"2020-05-11T20:23:42","date_gmt":"2020-05-11T11:23:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/unmixlove.com\/?p=2030"},"modified":"2020-05-12T17:01:07","modified_gmt":"2020-05-12T08:01:07","slug":"%e3%81%84%e3%81%a4%e3%81%a0%e3%81%a3%e3%81%a6%e3%80%81%e3%83%81%e3%83%a3%e3%83%ac%e3%83%b3%e3%82%b8-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/unmixlove.com\/en\/archives\/2030","title":{"rendered":"SAKURA Is Always Down for A Challenge"},"content":{"rendered":"

Finding Inner Peace<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Yasuo\u3000<\/strong>How do you like living by the sea?<\/p>\n

SAKURA\u3000<\/strong>I love it. This place is my second home. I\u2019ve been using it as an on-location studio for certain brands that I collaborate with, and I\u2019d love to use it for events as well, so I\u2019ve named it Studio S<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Yasuo\u3000<\/strong>I lived in Brooklyn for a very long time. City life can be quite stressful, so I\u2019m sure it\u2019s great to have an escape. There\u2019s nothing quite like waking up to the sound of birds and relaxing in the garden.  <\/p>\n

SAKURA\u3000<\/strong>Nature is incredibly refreshing. I live in Tokyo during the work week, so I often come here for a weekend escape. My days are usually very busy and stressful. I grind my teeth, so I wear a mouthpiece when I go to sleep. I\u2019ve also been experiencing bad hives outbreaks for about a year now. <\/p>\n

Yasuo\u3000<\/strong>A whole year? <\/p>\n

SAKURA\u3000<\/strong>Yes. I\u2019ve really had to pay attention to my body and what I\u2019m putting it through. I recently discovered Elite Natural’s<\/a> Organic Cold Pressed Drinks. I also love the herbal beverages from Cordial Organics<\/a>. They\u2019ve definitely strengthened my immune system. <\/p>\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Yasuo\u3000<\/strong>You can\u2019t just go on forever without listening to your body! I\u2019m glad you were able to realize that.<\/p>\n

SAKURA\u3000<\/strong>I know, but I have this inherent need to keep going. I\u2019ve been running around my whole life, modeling overseas, everything. I\u2019m tough and love challenges. <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Never Be Afraid to Strut Your Stuff<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Yasuo\u3000<\/strong>How old were you when you first went to Paris?<\/p>\n

SAKURA\u3000<\/strong>Well, it was in 1989. Japan was in the middle of a bubble economy. By that point, I had already starred in numerous advertisements, but weren\u2019t any international editions of magazines, such as Vogue Japan. I really wanted to be in Vogue and walk on international runways. So, I took matters into my own hands and traveled to Paris and Milan. <\/p>\n

Yasuo\u3000<\/strong>Yes, that was the height of the supermodel era. <\/p>\n

SAKURA\u3000<\/strong>I was signed to the same agency as Carla Bruni, supermodel and wife of the former President of France. One day, I was visiting my agent\u2019s office, and she stopped by. She flung open the front door and said \u201cBonjour!\u201d I remember she was wearing this Chanel suit with a matching mini-skirt and jacket and carrying loads of shopping bags. I was wearing a white shirt and jeans, which was the typical uniform for Japanese models at the time. That moment solidified my idea of a supermodel, and I found myself wanting to wear Chanel suits, too. After I left Europe, I kept modeling full time, but began wondering what other options the world could provide me. <\/p>\n

There was a period where I had no idea what I would do after modeling and was left feeling quite anxious and insecure. <\/p>\n

Yasuo\u3000<\/strong>You went down a completely new career path. <\/p>\n

SAKURA\u3000<\/strong>Yes, I did, and I\u2019ve been a journalist for over eighteen years now. But I truly believe that modeling and beauty journalism go hand in hand. Modeling helped me understand beauty, and the beauty industry, on a much deeper level. When I first started out as a journalist, I really wanted my own monthly column. I\u2019ve had one for a long time now, even though I did not start off as a professional writer. Writing my own stories and truth helped me get to where I am today. <\/p>\n

Yasuo\u3000<\/strong>You have so many valuable life experiences, and yet, you\u2019re still so enthusiastic about cultivating even more. <\/p>\n

SAKURA\u3000<\/strong>Life requires so much juggling: there are always immediate problems that need to be dealt with, and then there are your long-term goals. This work requires so much energy, but I\u2019m always getting to the next step because I never give up. Transitioning from modeling to journalism was not an easy feat, but thirty years later, I\u2019m still here because I work hard. <\/p>\n

Yasuo\u3000<\/strong>I think that’s an undeniable fact. <\/p>\n

SAKURA\u3000<\/strong>I can\u2019t necessarily say that I\u2019m confident, but I never quit. Despite the stress or adversities I may face, I love this industry and am convinced that I was made to thrive in it.  So, I tackle every obstacle head on. <\/p>\n

Yasuo\u3000<\/strong>And to think that you used to be a top model. <\/p>\n

SAKURA\u3000<\/strong>You are nothing without growth. When I started writing, I had someone help me edit and rewrite for six whole years as I learned the craft. Shortly thereafter, I decided to teach at the university level. The challenges that I take on make me who I am. <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

What Doesn\u2019t Kill You Makes You Stronger<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Yasuo\u3000<\/strong>Are you still teaching at university?<\/p>\n

SAKURA\u3000<\/strong>No, I recently stopped. I taught every Friday for ten years.  <\/p>\n

Yasuo\u3000<\/strong>I remember when you invited me to your class as a guest speaker. Even if it\u2019s only once a week, teaching seems like such hard work. <\/p>\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

SAKURA\u3000<\/strong>When I first began teaching, I would get so nervous and forget what to say. I frequently cried out of frustration and felt so inadequate. But I couldn\u2019t quit: I had made a commitment once a week and told myself to stick with it. After a while, I naturally settled into the role, and began to realize how special and pure the students are. I get energy from just being around them. Teaching is such a nurturing and rewarding process. <\/p>\n

Yasuo\u3000<\/strong>It was probably a big adjustment from your modeling career. <\/p>\n

SAKURA\u3000<\/strong>It\u2019s challenging to come up with a topic for a weekly ninety-minute seminar. But good teachers also learn alongside their students, and I fell in love with my ability to grant understanding to others, and hopefully inspire students to pursue their dreams. <\/p>\n

Yasuo\u3000<\/strong>Young people in college are very curious\u2014they always want to hear the opinions of professionals. They resist listening to their parents, but they still want role models and mentors to learn from.<\/p>\n

SAKURA\u3000<\/strong>We frequently studied the history of certain brands, including their marketing techniques and their future goals. I often teach through a very personal lens which draws on my own life story and what I saw throughout the course of my career. <\/p>\n

My class loved when you came to speak. Hearing about your background, history, and examples of work, especially what you were doing as CHICCA\u2019s creative director was particularly inspiring to them.  <\/p>\n

Yasuo\u3000<\/strong>I\u2019m sure students loved your class because you spoke from your own experiences, not from textbooks. <\/p>\n

SAKURA\u3000<\/strong>It was such a fantastic experience. I taught for ten years and never once got sick. About six months after I stopped, I got a terrible cold that took me a very long time to get over. It proved to me that when you\u2019re focused on your passions, you become almost invincible. Letting go of that tension allows your body to get sick, which forces you to relax and rest.  <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Nobody\u2019s Perfect<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Yasuo\u3000<\/strong>You began modeling at nineteen years old, which opened you up to so many new experiences that other young people don\u2019t usually have. Do you feel like it taught you how to dream bigger? <\/p>\n

SAKURA\u3000<\/strong>I definitely think so. That\u2019s always been what drives me\u2014my need to be inspired.<\/p>\n

Yasuo\u3000<\/strong>I often think about how it\u2019s my job to inspire others and expose them to some of the things that I get to see and do. I\u2019m sure you also felt this way when teaching at the university. Your experiences traveling as a model must inspire so many young people.   <\/p>\n

SAKURA<\/strong>\u3000I was lucky to learn so much about life so early on. One of the biggest lessons I learned was that although they seem so perfect on the outside, supermodels have insecurities, too. I have plenty myself, but figuring out ways to overcome them is what matters. <\/p>\n

Yasuo\u3000<\/strong>Realizing that you\u2019re not alone in your insecurities is vital for living a happier life. <\/p>\n

SAKURA\u3000<\/strong>I agree. I\u2019m so lucky I was able to witness that firsthand. <\/p>\n

Yasuo\u3000<\/strong>Even the best of the best gets nervous. I once did makeup on Hillary Clinton for a shoot with the photographer Richard Avedon. It was my dream to work with him, so I was very excited, but he had never worked with Hillary. Before she arrived, he was asking me all sorts of questions about her, like \u201cis she scary?\u201d I remember reassuring him that she was a very nice person.  <\/p>\n

SAKURA\u3000<\/strong>Aw, that\u2019s so sweet that he asked you. <\/p>\n

Yasuo\u3000<\/strong>He didn\u2019t know me at all, and here I am, this Asian make-up artist that he\u2019s trying to get answers from. He wasn\u2019t ashamed and didn\u2019t walk around with this huge ego. I really look up to him, not only as an artist and photographer, but also just as a person. He\u2019s the real deal.  <\/p>\n

SAKURA\u3000<\/strong>What a memorable moment. Everyone experiences moments of uncertainty and self-doubt! At the end of the day, we\u2019re all in this together.<\/p>\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Lift Up Others, And They\u2019ll Lift Up You<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Yasuo\u3000<\/strong>Although I\u2019ve worked with some of the world\u2019s most beautiful women, it doesn\u2019t mean that they were that way on the inside as well. Just because you have a stunning face, doesn\u2019t necessarily make you an attractive person. <\/p>\n

SAKURA\u3000<\/strong>Being photogenic isn\u2019t enough to be considered beautiful. There\u2019s such a broad definition of beauty. It\u2019s not particularly makeup or clothes, it\u2019s a person\u2019s essence.<\/p>\n

Yasuo\u3000<\/strong>I\u2019m sure people are wondering what you think is the secret to living a beautiful life. <\/p>\n

SAKURA\u3000<\/strong>My agency represents models, artists, and journalists of all different backgrounds. I\u2019m currently working on producing lifestyle coaching seminars featuring some of my talent. I spent ten years teaching, and I hope to continue doing so on this new platform. <\/p>\n

Yasuo\u3000<\/strong>Watching those would be amazing. It\u2019s so important to hear about other people\u2019s experiences, especially what got them to where they are today.<\/p>\n

SAKURA\u3000<\/strong>That\u2019s how I feel about my story and my business. While it\u2019s important for a business to succeed, I also want to be authentic and real with my clients, so I strike a balance between the two. I want to keep challenging myself to never give up on my dreams. <\/p>\n

Yasuo\u3000<\/strong>I feel the same\u2014I\u2019ll never stop growing and learning. I\u2019m in the process of developing high-quality cosmetics that are truly a testament to all of the knowledge I\u2019ve gained in the makeup industry. I can\u2019t wait to share them with the world. <\/p>\n

SAKURA\u3000<\/strong>It would be so exciting to collaborate with you. I feel as though we have such similar values and ideas. We would make a great team!<\/p>\n

\n<\/p>

Photos \/ Interview :  Yasuo Yoshikawa<\/p>\n

Text : Mikako Koyama<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Finding Inner Peace Yasuo\u3000How do you like living by the sea? SAKURA\u3000I love it. This place is my second home. I\u2019ve been using it as an on-location studio for certain brands that I collaborate with, and I\u2019d love to use it for events as well, so I\u2019ve named it Studio S.  Yasuo\u3000I lived in Brooklyn for a very long time. City life can be quite stressful, so I\u2019m sure it\u2019s great to have an escape. There\u2019s nothing quite like waking up to the sound of birds and relaxing in the garden.   SAKURA\u3000Nature is incredibly refreshing. I live in Tokyo during the work week, so I often come here for a weekend escape. My days are usually very busy and stressful. I grind my teeth, so I wear a mouthpiece when I go to sleep. I\u2019ve also been experiencing bad hives outbreaks for about a year now.  Yasuo\u3000A whole year?  SAKURA\u3000Yes. I\u2019ve really had to pay attention to my body and what I\u2019m putting it through. I recently discovered Elite Natural’s Organic Cold Pressed Drinks. I also love the herbal beverages from Cordial Organics. They\u2019ve definitely strengthened my immune system.  Yasuo\u3000You can\u2019t just go on forever without listening to your body! I\u2019m glad you were able to realize that. SAKURA\u3000I know, but I have this inherent need to keep going. I\u2019ve been running around my whole life, modeling overseas, everything. I\u2019m tough and love challenges.  Never Be Afraid to Strut Your Stuff Yasuo\u3000How old were you when you first went to Paris? SAKURA\u3000Well, it was in 1989. Japan was in the middle of a bubble economy. By that point, I had already starred in numerous advertisements, but weren\u2019t any international editions of magazines, such as Vogue Japan. I really wanted to be in Vogue and walk on international runways. So, I took matters into my own hands and traveled to Paris and Milan.  Yasuo\u3000Yes, that was the height of the supermodel era.  SAKURA\u3000I was signed to the same agency as Carla Bruni, supermodel and wife of the former President of France. One day, I was visiting my agent\u2019s office, and she stopped by. She flung open the front door and said \u201cBonjour!\u201d I remember she was wearing this Chanel suit with a matching mini-skirt and jacket and carrying loads of shopping bags. I was wearing a white shirt and jeans, which was the typical uniform for Japanese models at the time. That moment solidified my idea of a supermodel, and I found myself wanting to wear Chanel suits, too. After I left Europe, I kept modeling full time, but began wondering what other options the world could provide me.  There was a period where I had no idea what I would do after modeling and was left feeling quite anxious and insecure.  Yasuo\u3000You went down a completely new career path.  SAKURA\u3000Yes, I did, and I\u2019ve been a journalist for over eighteen years now. But I truly believe that modeling and beauty journalism go hand in hand. Modeling helped me understand beauty, and the beauty industry, on a much deeper level. When I first started out as a journalist, I really wanted my own monthly column. I\u2019ve had one for a long time now, even though I did not start off as a professional writer. Writing my own stories and truth helped me get to where I am today.  Yasuo\u3000You have so many valuable life experiences, and yet, you\u2019re still so enthusiastic about cultivating even more.  SAKURA\u3000Life requires so much juggling: there are always immediate problems that need to be dealt with, and then there are your long-term goals. This work requires so much energy, but I\u2019m always getting to the next step because I never give up. Transitioning from modeling to journalism was not an easy feat, but thirty years later, I\u2019m still here because I work hard.  Yasuo\u3000I think that’s an undeniable fact.  SAKURA\u3000I can\u2019t necessarily say that I\u2019m confident, but I never quit. Despite the stress or adversities I may face, I love this industry and am convinced that I was made to thrive in it.  So, I tackle every obstacle head on.  Yasuo\u3000And to think that you used to be a top model.  SAKURA\u3000You are nothing without growth. When I started writing, I had someone help me edit and rewrite for six whole years as I learned the craft. Shortly thereafter, I decided to teach at the university level. The challenges that I take on make me who I am.  What Doesn\u2019t Kill You Makes You Stronger Yasuo\u3000Are you still teaching at university? SAKURA\u3000No, I recently stopped. I taught every Friday for ten years.   Yasuo\u3000I remember when you invited me to your class as a guest speaker. Even if it\u2019s only once a week, teaching seems like such hard work.  SAKURA\u3000When I first began teaching, I would get so nervous and forget what to say. I frequently cried out of frustration and felt so inadequate. But I couldn\u2019t quit: I had made a commitment once a week and told myself to stick with it. After a while, I naturally settled into the role, and began to realize how special and pure the students are. I get energy from just being around them. Teaching is such a nurturing and rewarding process.  Yasuo\u3000It was probably a big adjustment from your modeling career.  SAKURA\u3000It\u2019s challenging to come up with a topic for a weekly ninety-minute seminar. But good teachers also learn alongside their students, and I fell in love with my ability to grant understanding to others, and hopefully inspire students to pursue their dreams.  Yasuo\u3000Young people in college are very curious\u2014they always want to hear the opinions of professionals. They resist listening to their parents, but they still want role models and mentors to learn from. SAKURA\u3000We frequently studied the history of certain brands, including their marketing techniques and their future goals. I often teach through a very personal lens which draws on my own life story and what I saw throughout the course of my career.  My class loved when you came to speak. Hearing about your background, history, and examples of work, especially what you were doing as CHICCA\u2019s creative director was particularly inspiring to them.   Yasuo\u3000I\u2019m sure students loved your class because you spoke from your own experiences, not from textbooks.  SAKURA\u3000It was such a fantastic experience. I taught for ten years and never once got sick. About six months after I stopped, I got a terrible cold that took me a very long time to get over. It proved to me that when you\u2019re focused on your passions, you become almost invincible. Letting go of that tension allows your body to get sick, which forces you to relax and rest.   Nobody\u2019s Perfect Yasuo\u3000You began modeling at nineteen years old, which opened you up to so many new experiences that other young people don\u2019t usually have. Do you feel like it taught you how to dream bigger?  SAKURA\u3000I definitely think so. That\u2019s always been what drives me\u2014my need to be inspired. Yasuo\u3000I often think about how it\u2019s my job to inspire others and expose them to some of the things that I get to see and do. I\u2019m sure you also felt this way when teaching at the university. Your experiences traveling as a model must inspire so many young people.    SAKURA\u3000I was lucky to learn so much about life so early on. One of the biggest lessons I learned was that although they seem so perfect on the outside, supermodels have insecurities, too. I have plenty myself, but figuring out ways to overcome them is what matters.  Yasuo\u3000Realizing that you\u2019re not alone in your insecurities is vital for living a happier life.  SAKURA\u3000I agree. I\u2019m so lucky I was able to witness that firsthand.  Yasuo\u3000Even the best of the best gets nervous. I once did makeup on Hillary Clinton for a shoot with the photographer Richard Avedon. It was my dream to work with him, so I was very excited, but he had never worked with Hillary. Before she arrived, he was asking me all sorts of questions about her, like \u201cis she scary?\u201d I remember reassuring him that she was a very nice person.   SAKURA\u3000Aw, that\u2019s so sweet that he asked you.  Yasuo\u3000He didn\u2019t know me at all, and here I am, this Asian make-up artist that he\u2019s trying to get answers from. He wasn\u2019t ashamed and didn\u2019t walk around with this huge ego. I really look up to him, not only as an artist and photographer, but also just as a person. He\u2019s the real deal.   SAKURA\u3000What a memorable moment. Everyone experiences moments of uncertainty and self-doubt! At the end of the day, we\u2019re all in this together. Lift Up Others, And They\u2019ll Lift Up You Yasuo\u3000Although I\u2019ve worked with some of the world\u2019s most beautiful women, it doesn\u2019t mean that they were that way on the inside as well. Just because you have a stunning face, doesn\u2019t necessarily make you an attractive person.  SAKURA\u3000Being photogenic isn\u2019t enough to be considered beautiful. There\u2019s such a broad definition of beauty. It\u2019s not particularly makeup or clothes, it\u2019s a person\u2019s essence. Yasuo\u3000I\u2019m sure people are wondering what you think is the secret to living a beautiful life.  SAKURA\u3000My agency represents models, artists, and journalists of all different backgrounds. I\u2019m currently working on producing lifestyle coaching seminars featuring some of my talent. I spent ten years teaching, and I hope to continue doing so on this new platform.  Yasuo\u3000Watching those would be amazing. It\u2019s so important to hear about other people\u2019s experiences, especially what got them to where they are today. SAKURA\u3000That\u2019s how I feel about my story and my business. While it\u2019s important for a business to succeed, I also want to be authentic and real with my clients, so I strike a balance between the two. I want to keep challenging myself to never give up on my dreams.  Yasuo\u3000I feel the same\u2014I\u2019ll never stop growing and learning. I\u2019m in the process of developing high-quality cosmetics that are truly a testament to all of the knowledge I\u2019ve gained in the makeup industry. I can\u2019t wait to share them with the world.  SAKURA\u3000It would be so exciting to collaborate with you. I feel as though we have such similar values and ideas. We would make a great team! Photos \/ Interview :  Yasuo Yoshikawa Text : Mikako Koyama<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1904,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_s2mail":"yes","_locale":"en_US","_original_post":"1903"},"categories":[5,8],"tags":[42,43,24],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/unmixlove.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2030"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/unmixlove.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/unmixlove.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/unmixlove.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/unmixlove.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2030"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/unmixlove.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2030\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2047,"href":"https:\/\/unmixlove.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2030\/revisions\/2047"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/unmixlove.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1904"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/unmixlove.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2030"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/unmixlove.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2030"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/unmixlove.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2030"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}