Tao Okamoto

[maimon]

Antidote Spring/Summer 2014

photographed by Cuneyt Akeroglu
styled by Yann Weber



thesocietynyc


and TAO will be in another hero-movie!!!

Warner Bros. have announced that actress Tao Okamoto has been cast in the upcoming untitled Superman/Batman film as a newly-created character. Tao will star alongside Henry Cavill who will be playing Superman/Clark Kent, Ben Affleck as Batman/Bruce Wayne, and Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman/Diana Prince. The film also stars actors Jesse Eisenberg, Jeremy Irons & Amy Adams to name a few.

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[maimon]

The 30 Best Jeans for Spring


vogue

 

[Stereo_Flo]

facebook.com/TheSocietyNYC

 

[maimon]

Tao 15

As a top tier model and rising star actress Tao Okamoto is used to playing a variety of roles, but her latest endeavor puts her in the hands of photography’s next generation. The exhibition – Tao Okamoto 15 at Hudson Studios, celebrates Tao’s 15 years in the business via a host of collaborations with innovative image makers. Names like Jeff Bark, Benjamin Lennox and Max Snow provide their unique interpretations of Tao’s allure, while Tao takes on the role of muse with aplomb. The exclusive images shot over the course of a year are set to be revealed next week and on the eve of their debut we caught up with the talented Tao to discover the story behind this special project.

How did the idea for this exhibition begin?

TAO: Well, the idea actually came about shortly after I joined The Society and was about to begin my press tour for The Wolverine. We were discussing my plans for the season and how much I had really loved the new experience of acting. The roleplaying involved in the craft and, of course, the overall collaborative tone of it gave me a newfound love for being on set and playing different characters for photographers. Based on this, the agency suggested doing something with a group of the most exciting photographers coming up amongst the new generation. The project would be a way to both expose them and also create a platform for that collaboration concept that I really wanted to play with more. I’ve always loved new talent and new ideas, so needless to say, my answer was a quick yes. This is how it all started! The fact that I was also about to be celebrating 15 years of modeling led to the decision to focus on 15 photographer teams participating in the event, and of course the name of the series Tao Okamoto 十五 ，which means Tao Okamoto “Fifteen.”

After 15 incredible years – what keeps the job exciting for you?

TAO: The excitement really comes from the transformative aspect of being on set in front of someone’s camera while dressed up as a whole other person. The hair, the makeup, the props, the lighting; it all makes me feel like I’m in another world and that feeling never gets old. Also, when I see the team get excited and inspired as we figure out the goal or mood for the day – I just love that feeling.

I know it is impossible to pick a favorite image, but if you can share the story behind one of the pictures featured in the exhibition that would be wonderful.

TAO: Every image has a very unique and special story, but the one with Jeff Bark was particularly interesting. He was incredibly excited about this, and we even had a little brainstorm meeting over the phone a month before the shoot. On the day of, I had just come back from Japan that morning and I got a phone call from my agent saying that Jeff’s car had been broken into by somebody and the makeup artist’s bag was stolen. You would think that the shoot would have been cancelled, but Jeff was still determined to make it all happen – so we stuck to the plan and went up to Jeff’s beautiful house in upstate New York…driving with his window missing the entire way! He put me in a bear suit in the woods, which sounds already quite extreme, but the shoot went really well. Afterwards, we came back to the city, and a few weeks later when the final image was ready, it ended up being quite unexpected! We all loved the result, despite the humor in the process of creating the photo. You will see at the exhibition what exactly he came up with.

What is it like to see so many different interpretations / versions of yourself?

TAO: When I heard I was going to be shot by 15 photographers, I was quite worried that they would end up capturing similar images of me and that the show would be a little repetitive. Amazingly enough, every photographer had their own unique ideas, and we never really had to adjust things in order to make the photos look different from one another. That’s probably a testament to their respective talent, and something I was of course thankful for when looking at all of the different versions of myself that they managed to capture.

What do you think will surprise people about this particular exhibition?

TAO: I would like to think the surprise would be the diversity that they will find amongst the work in this show. I also think that people will be surprised to find out I’m already celebrating 15 years of my career!

Can we expect a Tao 30 exhibition 15 years from now!

TAO: That would of course be amazing. I’m certainly looking forward to celebrating something 15 years from now…who can say what, but it’s always good to have a goal that keeps you in shape along the way!

models.com

 

[maimon]

The Tao of Tao Okamoto: A Sneak Preview of the Japanese Supermodel’s Photo Exhibition Celebrating Her Fifteen-Year Career

Tao Okamoto is a “model” in every sense of the word. Since she began appearing on runways and in glossy editorial spreads fifteen years ago, the Japanese beauty has become one of the industry’s most sought-after faces (and helped break down barriers for Asian catwalkers). In recent years, Okamoto has extended her influence beyond fashion. In 2011, she helped raise funds and awareness for victims of the 8.9-magnitude earthquake that rocked her home country. Last summer, Okamoto made her acting debut in the X-Men blockbuster The Wolverine. Keeping up her silver-screen streak, she was cast in the upcoming action flick, out in 2016, Batman vs. Superman, and also made her first TV appearance in the new Japanese miniseries Chi no Wadachi.

Adding to her already-full plate, Okamoto has found time in the past year to do a special series of shoots—commissioned by her New York agency, The Society Management—with fifteen emerging photographers to honor her fifteen-year-long career. The resulting exhibition, Tao Okamoto 15, will be unveiled tonight at Hudson Studios in Manhattan and is open to the public for one day only. On view are unique images lensed by up-and-coming talents including Max Snow, Victor Demarchelier, and Santiago & Mauricio. An exclusive sneak peek of Tim Richardson’s portrait debuts here on Style.com. Below, we spoke with Okamoto about her latest showcase, balancing acting and modeling, and more.

— Brittany Adams



Do you have any interesting on-set memories from the photo shoots for your new exhibition?
I remember the Maurizio Bavutti [shoot]. It was just the day before my movie premiere, and it was a funny experience because I looked totally different from one day to the next—from being covered in clay, which was an edgy, artistic look, to a glamorous Hollywood look.

Had you collaborated with any of these photographers before, and did you enjoy working with any one of them in particular?
I hadn’t worked with any of them before, but each and every one of them surprised me because they all had very unique, exciting ideas, so I can’t pick only one. I just followed and fit myself into each of their worlds.

How have your recent acting roles changed your outlook on modeling?
I think they’ve allowed me to become more fearless and to express myself in a bigger way. Acting has also freshened me up to the subject of photography.


You sat in quite a few front rows during the Fall ’14 shows [Chanel, Givenchy, Stella McCartney, and Calvin Klein, to name a few]. What was it like watching fashion from the sidelines as opposed to walking down the runway?
I’ve always loved fashion and, of course, enjoyed my experiences walking on runways, but I love watching the shows as well! Now I understand more why it’s such a big deal for the industry, and why people work so hard before and during fashion weeks. It’s interesting to see the same things from a different angle.

Are there any designers whom you admire or credit for your success?
I cannot thank Phillip Lim enough for bringing me to the stage I’m at right now. He also made a special dress for my movie premiere in Japan last summer. There are a few more designers who I have strong relationships with, as more than just a model. I will always remember how they appreciated me at the beginning of my career, and I would love to repay them as an actress somehow if I can.

Do your fans miss that signature bowl haircut you sported a few years ago?
I hear that a lot and really appreciate it, but I don’t plan to return to that haircut at the moment. I’m enjoying my new look!

In general, how do you unwind?
When I feel stressed, I [do] karaoke and sing for hours!

Tao Okamoto 15 debuts tonight (7 to 10:30 p.m.) at Hudson Studios, 601 West 26th St., 13th floor, and will be on view to the public through Friday, May 9.

style

 

[maimon]

at the opening of her photo exhibition Tao Okamoto 15


gettyimages

 

[Sailor]

Congrats on the exhibition, she looks really sophisticated at the opening I am glad she is still keeping up her modeling after her acting success it is a pleasure to see great editorial work from her like the Antidote spread by Cuneyt Akeroglu.

 

[Moofins]

^ I agree! I love her look - she has an excellent sense of style. I'm also completely smitten with that teaser shot from the exhibition, swoon.

 

[maimon]

the dress is Phillip Lim by the way



walterschupfermanagement.tumblr.com


street style PFW FW 2014


styledumonde

 

[Starry]

Wow congratulations to Tao and her exhibition!

 

[Shunichiro]

Happy birthday Tao-san ! And best of luck with filming of Batman vs. Superman!

Art & scan by me

 

[maimon]

Numéro Tokyo #73 January 2014


fashionscansremastered.net

 

[heelscatchfire]

Stunning editorial for Numero! I love her with the long hair.

 

[ponies]

In Milan, Tao switched from Why Not to Women

 

[Sailor]

^^I agree stunning editorial... Too bad she posted about an upcoming haircut on her instagram...

 

[GlamVal]

W September 2011

"Red Lights, Blue Angels" -HQ-
Models: Lara Stone, Joan Smalls, Alyona Subbotina, Tao Okamoto, Paul Boche, Martin Pilcher, Patrick Rukai & James Dow
Photographer: Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott
Stylist: Edward Enninful
Hair: Luigi Murenu
Makeup: Lucia Pieroni
Manicure: Lorraine Griffin


mode.newslicious.net​

 

[maimon]

Vogue China July 2014

by David Slijper


fashiongonerouge

 

[maimon]

TAO will be part of the anniversary cover of Vogue Japan September 2014 issue

vogue.co.jp

 

[versustito]

Vogue Japan September 2014
Photography: Luigi & Iango
Stylist: Giovanna Battaglia
Hair: Luigi Murenu
Makeup: Virginia Young & Lloyd Simmonds
Casting Director: Piergiorgio Del Moro (Exposure NY)
vogue.co.jp

models.com

 

[GlamVal]

Vogue Japan September 2014

Complete Cover History : Part I

MODELS: CAROLYN MURPHY, CLAUDIA SCHIFFER, EVA HERZIGOVA, GUINEVERE VAN SEENUS, KAREN ELSON, LINDA EVANGELISTA, MAGGIE RIZER, MALGOSIA BELA, MARIACARLA BOSCONO, NADJA AUERMANN, NAOMI CAMPBELL, NATASHA POLY, SASKIA DE BRAUW, STEPHANIE SEYMOUR & TAO OKAMOTO
PHOTOGRAPHER: LUIGI+IANGO
STYLING: GIOVANNA BATTAGLIA
HAIR: LUIGI MURENU
MAKE UP: VIRGINIA YOUNG & LLOYD SIMMONDS
NAILS: LISA SMITH & MAKI SAKAMOTO


photocouture-show.com