Albage Lingerie, the first collection

Presenting Albage lingerie's first collection. Albage is a high-quality Japanese lingerie brand, featuring intricate lace and 100% silk for an elegant look. The sizings of the bras and panties are especially made for Japanese women with less curves. I am small-chested but slightly curvy around the waist, and the entire collection fit me well as I wore each one during the photo shoot. It is an honor to be the first image model for this new brand, and I'm hoping it will be a huge success. Thank you Albage! Check out their website at www.albage.jp for more!

先日、新しいランジェリーブランド、アルバージュの展示会にお邪魔してきました。実は、今回のファーストコレクションのイメージモデルをやらせていただいたんです！アルバージュは高品質のランジェリーブランドで、繊細で上品なレースや、１００％シルクの素材のランジェリーを揃えています。ブラジャーとパンティーのサイズ感は、日本人の体に合う快適な着心地が特徴なんです。私は胸が小さい方ですが、ヒップは少しあるので、このコレクションはぴったりフィットしました。イメージモデルをやらせていただいて、本当に光栄です。ありがとうございました！詳しくは、www.albage.jpをご覧になって下さい♪

BANSAN 2016 SS Lookbook

These photos for the BANSAN 2016 SS Lookbook were taken last year, but I wanted to wait 'til exhibition season to post some of the looks. The designer, Mayuko Ban, graduated from Bunka Fashion College in Tokyo, and has started her line, BANSAN, which is characterized by her unique patterning, Japanese traditional silhouettes, and use of color. If you look closely at her signature dress, you'll see faces of people as part of the fabric. Crazy! But I love it.

この画像は去年、BANSAN 2016 SS のLookbook用で撮りましたが、展示会シーズンまでアップしませんでした。デザイナーのマユコ・バンさんは文化卒業生で、この個性的でユニークなブランド、BANSANを立ち上げました。和をイメージした柄、シルエット、そしてポップな色合い。ワンピースをよく見たら、顔の柄なんです。変わった柄がツボすぎます！

Okami Kult Winter Lookbook

photographer: Viktor Farkas

models: Samantha Mariko & Sho

produced & designed by: Viktor Farkas for Okami Kult

Meet Okami Kult, a street and art wear brand based in Tokyo, Japan. "Okami" being the Japanese word for "wolf," Okami embodies an original combination of cute and scary. Check out it's new winter collection now up on their online shop here. For your inner okami :)

今日はオオカミを紹介したいと思います。ん？本物のオオカミじゃないですよ！東京をベースとしたアートとストリートウェアのブランドです。オオカミは可愛いと恐いを融合した、誰でも着やすいトップスやグッズが人気です。冬コレクションのルックブックも公開されたので、是非チェック！あなたの中のオオカミのために♡

blondy 2015 SS Lookbook feat. Samantha Mariko

I had been waiting for Japanese fashion brand blondy to post their 2015 SS Lookbook on their website. And finally! they did. This was my first lookbook gig as a model, and I'm not shy to say I am proud of my work here. The blondy team was also very pleased with the outcome, which is one of the best feelings as a model when your client is happy with your work. 

The theme of their SS collection is "My Standard Forever," meaning it's all about quality basics that can be worn for a lifetime. I loved wearing each of the items during the shoot - I could tell the design team put much time and care into each piece. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

待ちに待ったblondy 2015 SS Lookbook がウェブで公開されました！今回は、私がモデルをさせて頂きましたので、本当に光栄でした。このコレクションのテーマは「My Standard Forever」、ずっと変わらないもの、ずっと着たいと思えるもの。まさにそういうラインに仕上がっていると思います。是非ご覧になって下さい！

Check out the rest of blondy's 2015 SS Lookboook here.

Have a great weekend!

blondy & BLONDY ReLISH 2015 SS Collection Showroom

On Friday, I was invited to check out the 2015 SS showrooms for Japanese women's fashion brand blondy and it's sister brand, BLONDY ReLISH. What was so special about visiting blondy showroom was that I was the model for their 2015 SS lookbook. Imagine my surprise at seeing my face on the walls of their showroom! I was so happy I almost cried. I've always wanted to model for a lookbook, so this was an amazing opportunity for me. I'm glad it was for blondy - everyone on the team was so nice and friendly, and were also very supportive when I told them about the release of my new song (I mentioned it in this post). The last photo is with the photographer, designer/director and the lady in charge of press-related matters. I didn't get to spend a traditional American Thanksgiving this year, but I am so thankful for opportunities like these that come my way. Thank you blondy!!

金曜日に、blondyとBLONDY ReLISH の2015SS展示会に行ってきました。実は、先週blondy のLOOKBOOKモデルをさせて頂きました。展示会で飾られていた写真を見たとき、大変感動しました。こういう仕事をずっとしたかったので、夢が一つ叶いました。blondyの皆さん、本当にありがとうございました！とても華やかな、素敵な展示会でした。

What do you think of this collection? Let me know your thoughts :)

Love,

Samantha

OUTFIT | A Tokyo blogger meet-up with Kiko Cagayat

(Trench coat: Ines de la Fressange for Uniqlo; turtleneck: Uniqlo; skirt: Zara;

shoes: Sam Edelman via Shopbop; headband: Opening Ceremony; 

clutch: Wego (similar black clutches here); animal ring: Good After Nine)

photos by Kiko Cagayat and myself

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of meeting Japanese-Filipino blogger Kiko Cagayat. We met through Instagram and Lookbook.nu, and after a little mix-up of Starbucks locations in Shinjuku (trust me, there are too many near one station), we finally had a nice chat over coffee. Kiko is so friendly and polite, and has amazing style. He was a natural with the camera while I was fumbling with it not knowing what I was doing haha... Love his iPhone case :) Check out his blog, "Kiko learns to blog" for more style updates!

Since it wasn't too cold the day we met, I dressed lightly in a turtleneck sweater and trench coat, and wore my new Opening Ceremony headband. I love the combination of regimental stripes and fishnet detailing. Even though I don't own or wear that many hair accessories, I picked this beauty up during Fashion's Night Out a few months ago. I just love it.

先週末は、ブロガーのキコ・カガヤ君に会ってきました！東京でブロガーさんとお目にかかることは本当に光栄です。彼はとても良い人で、とても楽しい時間を過ごすことができました。お互いのコーデ写真を撮り合ったりし（私はカメラのスキルゼロ）、お茶しながらお話ししたり。今度はもっと大勢のブロがーを集めたいね！ということに。楽しみだな〜。今回のコーデの決めてはオープニングセレモニーのカチューシャ！レジメンタルストライプとメッシュのディテールがお気に入り！

A few reminders before I end this post:

• PLEASE check out my NEW SONG "Turn It Up" on Youtube and Soundcloud !!
• Don't forget to enter my GIVEAWAY for a cute beanie from The Goldenheart Store here !
• Chek out the Shopbop holiday sale at www.shopbop.com !

That's all :) Have a great rest of the week!

Love,

Samantha

Get this look for $176+ on Lookastic: Charcoal Turtleneck, Tan Trenchcoat, Charcoal Pleated Midi Skirt, Black Horizontal Striped Headband, Black Leather Clutch, Black Socks, and Black Leather Double Monks