Kayako Higuchi

Japanese stunner Kayako Higuchi is a long way from the fateful coffee order that catapulted her into discovery. Discover by a Spanish mother agency in Tokyo while on her Starbucks shift, she has ascended as one of the most in-demand faces of the moment. When she opened her first show at Burberry with newly shorn hair and at the height of the pandemic, there was only an audience of digital fashion spectators. The permeating, stressful energy made it hard to predict the future. “Frankly speaking, I hadn’t felt anything specific at that time [of my debut] due to it being a very small event during the pandemic,” she recollects. “However, emotions do build up whenever people around me, such as friends and family, mention the show in conversation.” Since then, Higuchi has gone on to land billboards with Dior, Kenzo, and Burberry, along with the cover of Dazed Magazine this year. “Dazed gave me the confidence to be myself since sometimes there are negative emotions for me when perceiving myself as a model,” Higuchi explains. “After that shoot, I finally felt that I could identify myself as a model in this world, recognize there is no replacement for me, and feel no need to change who I am.”

During the shoot with Myles Loftin, I spoke briefly with Higuchi about my experience back in 2015 traveling to Tokyo for fashion week. I noticed then that Japanese mother agencies’ boards would be split into two categories, Asian, or interchangeably, domestic and international. There is a long-lived practice of sending new models to Tokyo before their “Big Four” debuts to gain runway and editorial experience, perhaps at the detriment of the local market. “The concept of attractiveness within the modeling industry in Japan is completely different compared to Europe,” Higuchi breaks down. “I hope everyone can support Japanese talent who are embraced more internationally, so they can become more confident about their physical appearance – time and time again, we have felt much discomfort about judgment from commentary back home.”

“It’s actually a huge reason for my passion to keep modeling,” Higuchi declares. “I really want to make fellow models feel comfortable and encouraged about themselves, even if we are completely opposite of Japanese beauty standards. In the future, I hope that more Japanese models are interested and embraced on the global stage.” It’s the standard motivation for Higuchi’s deep pride in working with Asian designers. “I felt honored to represent Asia’s presence in a world of few, core Asian brands. Nigo, who is the Artistic Director of Kenzo, has also given Asian models opportunities to be part of that representation.” When’s she not nabbing covers and money jobs, Higuchi enjoyed singing with her band Ofuro de Peanut. “I worked remotely with my friend recently to set up some gigs for a new album coming up next year,” she says excitedly. “I will also hold performances next January. Singing is a crucial part of my life. I dive deep into that creative process.”