Nationalista by Leslie Kee
THE OFFICIAL PICTURES This is what I just sent to the Miss Universe Organization. All directors have been asked to send a picture for the program and the website this year. Leslie Kee (lesliekeesuperstar.com) took these pictures and it took 7 designers to execute the costume, including the hair & make up artists. From an initial design idea, It was directed by Yoshiyuki Ogata, the designer of the red samurai costume, which won best national costume with Kurara in 2006. 150 media outlets attended today press conference in Tokyo today. I am now in the South of France with my sons also i wasn’t there. It has surely created a huge PR buzz around the world which was the concept, also it worked as planned. The conservative and fashion-dinosaurs are critisizing her costume, meanwhile the fashionistas love it. I care only about the movers and shakers in the fashion industry. My vibe is of Junya Watanabe, Yoji Yamamto, Issey Miyake, John Galliano, Alexander McQueen, Cavalli and Dolce & Gabanna likes. They have created a new area in fashion and they mind works like mine. I love fierce versus safe, this is who I am and will always be. I want to bring the image of beauty queens to a level wich matches mine and not stuggle to remain safe and politically correct. I believe that traditional beauty queens are irrelevant in today world, and this is what most of people think. Actually, this is sadly the real reason why TV ratings around the world are dropping and why pageant houses have to close down their operations, instead they should reinvent themselves. In Japan, our media exposures have exploded since the past 5 years because we deliver a work that fits today entertainment expectation. Emiri is now packing with her team and will fly tomorrow afternoon to Miami where she has a few TV and magazines interviews. She will also prepare slowly her skin for the heat and dramatic sun of the Bahamas and will not burn. She will stay in Miami for a week and will fly by private helicopter to Nassau with her entourage. She will have a dinner at the Japanese Embassy with the Consul while in Miami. Special thanks to American Airlines for flying Emiri in first class to Miss Universe! Love always and to all, ines
- oneofjapanese Says:
The costume “revolutionary” reflects stereotypical images of Japnese people, Ninja, Geisha, Hara-kiri and Samurai.
If this is what judges want appricants to do and you, team of Japan, have to “obbey” for your victory, it might be a good idea. (Yeah, we are “salary men” actually.)
Why didn’t you try Anime-Cosplay this time like French-Maids, High-School-girls, or Skinny-SF uniforms like Evangelion ? Those would be more “catchy” and “edgy” than you Geisha-like kimono, I suppose.
Anyway, I wish good-luck to Team of Japan.
- chika Says:
I like her coustume Ines!
and thanks for telling us about your mind always.
really like to see your opinion.today, I met Riyo-san in Kobe.
she was amazing, this was my first time to meet my idol!
when I met her, I cried a lot after she left…
I’m sure I’ll cry if I meet you someday.anyway, good luck to Emiri-san
and we always LOVE you,too!LOVE xxx
- T42 Says:
I wasn’t in favor of the pink knickers either. Then read the article and thought about other delegates. I have seen other delegates wearing carnival costumes, maybe a little more revealing than this.
Lining along with them, this costume, especially on her, would be eye-catching, but not too exposed or overly sex-it-up.
If someone could pull it off the look on catwalk this year, it’s Emiri only.
I think It’s a smart move.But, maybe a little too much same shade of pinks?
- oliva Says:
When I first saw the image from anther forum, I thought it was a joke. The first thing that came to my mind was the word “stripper”. It’s fascinating how the human brain works and how it immediately associates symbols with objects. And I detest how most of us are programmed to associate women in skimpy clothes with words like stripper, whore, slut etc. The world has a long way to go.
It took me a while to digest the image. And as predicted it created a stir all over the place. The pink undie and stockings are at centre stage of the costume right now and I think that it will look amazing once she’s on the runway.
It is shocking (camel toe and all) and the kimono(?) is a work of art. I would have liked to see more detail on the stockings and undie just so that it could tie in a bit more with the costume. It might not fly with the judges but I love how it made an impact.
This is the most eye-dropping costume since Kurara’s samaurai in 2006.Thank you for sharing your insight!!!!
xoxo
oliva
thecheapgirl.com
- oye Says:
I like the concept because it is modern, but i don’t like those pink socks. I think it would look better without those pink socks.
Go EMIRI BRING ANOTHER CROWN TO JAPAN!
- RJ Says:
Oh Japan! Japan! My vote for best national costume.
Thank you, Ines, for sharing your vision and insights with us. In my opinion, your insights are right on in terms of today’s expectations of pageant shows.
A little story of mine…
I started to look forward to watching MU shows since 2007. The 2007 show blew my mind and was, I believed, one of the best MU shows ever broadcast. Everything came together…from the graceful dance of Riyo Mori in the opening number to the live music performance by RBD (and background music is songs of Billboard Top artists) … the all-star panel of judges, the two young and charismatic hosts of Mario Lopez and Vanessa Vinillo and more importantly, the winner was an example of your vision. The winner was an example of today’s vision of a beauty pageant winner.
Thanks again for posting. I enjoy your posts so much.
Love,
RJ
- Tom Says:
John Galliano’s Mini Kimono that Linda and Christy wore was super chic & elegant even though it was over 10 years ago.I think that pink color makes the whole image “vulgar.” Also maybe the hair & make can be more sleek.
- Alan Says:
Perez Hilton just revealed that Heidi Montag will be performing at the Miss Universe contest!
http://perezhilton.com/2009-07-23-heidi-montag-set-to-terrorize-the-universe
Here’s the the song! Sounds great!
- ASIAN BEAUTY Says:
yes, I totally agree with you.
the costume looks so new and shocking, but its movign and people must move on like you said in your blog, I also think people don’t understand the beauty of the costume are retarded scums.Look! you scums! even Christian Dior did it the same for 2009 collection!
http://www.asahi.com/fashion/collection/TKY200907170305.html
- EIJI Says:
Hi,Ines!!
I LOVE this custume.
So supa cool.
Real so Amazing.NO MATTER WHAT THAY SAY!!!!!!!!
Emiri is so FANTASTIC!!!!!!!
Her cat working is KAKKOI!!!!!!!!!!!!
SOOO MUCH LOVE!!!!!!!
INES&EMIRI!!!!!!
- oliva Says:
OOOooh I am loving the cosplay-anime suggestion by oneofjapanese. That will be fun to create with so many options. Maybe for MUJ 2010!!! It would be awesome if MUJ 2010 came out with a blonde wig in cosplay. Haha. That will make heads turn!
xoxo
oliva
thecheapgirl.com
- YAN san Says:
Honestly, I think the lace pink was stealing away from the kimono.
A more subtle piece (such as a black fishscale sequin beaded brief) as bottom would be enough glamour but not taking away from the mini kimono
Shoes – open front lace up thigh length black leather boots (sorta like the one Nicole from PussyCat Dolls wore in video “BUTTONS” would add the cherry to the sundae for Emiri in this outfit.
- tami Says:
Good Job Ines. That is what fashion and style is all about.being innovative. I do not see anything wrong in this costume. Some other girls in the pageant wear sexier costumes (in bikinis or tangas)….Its fantastic that you bring new flavors to old and stereotypical look of a beauty queen. Kudos! Pls.Visit my site tamiballesteros.blogspot.com
- tami Says:
P.S. I hope you also train Miss Philippine delegates someday…
- tommy Says:
not very elegant but i love the make up and the colors.
- momo Says:
I love your approach & challenge to the quite unique kimono fashion.
When something really outstanding first comes out, people always argue about it. This is inevitable.
But, I hope you & your team hear what we Japanese think about this costume more sincerely.
Prpbably many people cannot support Emiri from bottom of heart in this situation though they do love her.
Emiri is the representative of Japan. Not only you & your team, but also our representative.As oun of her fans, I’m so worried about what’s happening now…
Anyhow, I’m really looking forward to seeing emiri with the crown!!
- ykt Says:
I’m really looking forward to see Emiri on the runway, but not in those pink socks and “leotard.”
In Japan, there are much much more beautiful pinks such as those inspired by cherry-blossoms, corals, plum-flowers, etc!!
At the moment, the “revolutional” pink you have chosen is totally killing the beauty of the kimono…
I’m a big fan of Emiri and I really hope to see her win the crown.
But to be very honest with you, as a Japanese, I would hate to have our representative in that costume.Emiri, I really wish you’d win the title:-)Good luck!!
- Babe Says:
Personnellement, je crois que vous avez pousse le cote “stereotype” un peu trop fort. En tant que Japonaise, je n’ai pas envie que le monde entier pense que nous (femmes japonaises) somment toutes des geishas (et cela dans le mauvais sens du terme).
Je suis ni feministe, ni traditionnelle, ni conformiste, et pense que dans d’autres circonstances, ce look aurait ete tres bien accepte. Dommage…
En vous souhaitant une excellente continuation, et en vous remerciant pour votre magnifique travail,
Cordialement.
- momo Says:
宮坂さん，はじめまして！！
私はミスユニバースのファンです。今回は宮坂さんのナショナルコスチュームに関して、
ミスユニバースファンの間では賛否両論意見がありますね。
私個人の意見としては、単純に“レオタード部分を隠したほうが、宮坂さんの脚が更に長く見える★”
と思いますよ！！今回の各国代表は長身の方々ばかりですが、
宮坂さんのパワーを放って、花を咲かせ、
会場を圧倒してきてくださいね^-^
応援しています♪you are the best! you will be the No.1!!
- Emi Says:
Hi Ines,
As one of the big supporters of Miss Universe Japan, I would like to ask you to please take this heartfelt message seriously, on behalf of all the people who left messages on Miss Universe Japan and Emiri’s blog page in Japanese regarding the national costume for Emiri.
As you have been already aware, there are so many people who are absolutely against the national costume. As the tons of messages in the Miss Universe Japan blog page show, so many of our Japanese people are criticizing of the costume and say that costume is Nothing but Desecration, Profanation, and Insult to Japanese Culture and its Country. Many people are criticizing you for scorning and disrespecting Japanese culture and people. It is truly embarrassing if the costume will be shown as Japan at the world stage. Wearing that costume will only damage her and Japan as a whole. This costume is Really Embarrassing and is Killing EMIRI’S REAL BEAUTY. We can never understand why on earth such awful gross and costume was selected. Nobody is proud of you for choosing such disgraceful costume and so many criticizing messages are all over the internet, especially Miss Universe Japan and Emiri’s homepage. Everybody says that costume is nothing but a copy of a prostitute’s costume and she will surely lose if she wears such offensive, obscene costume. We feel so sorry for Emiri as she was asked to wear such costume and she herself has been also criticized all over the world because of the costume. That costume will only destroy her real beatify.
So many of us are big supporters of your organisation and Emiri, and I am one of them.
We, from the bottom of our heart, ask you to please change her national costume. Emiri is such an elegant and beautiful woman, and we are sincerely hoping she will win at the 2009 Miss Universe. In order to make it happen, Please do not let her wear such insulting costume; Change it to something else which will enhance her beatify. Otherwise, in spite of her inner and external beauty, she will never be able to win.
Sincerely,
Emi
- reina Says:
omedeto!!..sugoku kirei desu!!!! subarashi kimono!!!
Definitely, it’s a revolutionary choice for a national costume!I totally agree with you that the Miss universe has to follow the fashionistas steps and stop being just a beauty anachronic contest. I don’t know, though if your approach is one step further of what the concept well accepted by the judges. But, as you got the prize for best costume in 2006 we can wait for great results!!