Samantha Mariko featured on A Style For You Ep. 5 (KBS World TV)

Hey all! I was recently featured on a new Korean fashion TV show called "A Style For You," which is aired on KBS2, a representative TV channel in South Korea. Hosted by K-pop star Hee-chul of Super Junior, Goo Hara from Kara, Bora from Sistar, and Hani from EXID, they take style inspiration from fashionistas around the world and share it with their audience.

My video is featured in the beginning of this episode: the video was created thanks to videographer Krys Villaster, and photos are by none other than Paint with Stars Photography. Many thanks to Krys and Lisa for making the style video possible! The TV producer told me that Hee-chul appreciated my style, so that was nice :)

It was truly an honor to be on Korean TV, and to be able to share my style and tips overseas. Thank you KBS2 and A Style For You! Hope you all enjoy the episode too!


先日、韓国のテレビ番組、「A Style For You」で、ちょこっと取り上げて頂きました。私のデニムとイアリングのスタイリングアドバイスが、韓国で放送されたのは夢見たいです！この番組の司会は、Super JuniorのHee-chul, KARAのHara, SistarのBora, そしてEXIDのHaniさんです。Hee-Chulさんにスタイルビデオを気に入って頂けて、すごく嬉しいです！KBS2とA Style For Youの皆さん、本当にありがとうございました！そして、ビデオの政策に加わったカメラマンのKrys VillasterとPaint with Stars Photography, thank you so much!!

Image courtesy of Google

OUTFIT | Windy affairs in a blue trench coat

coat: COS

T-shirt: Uniqlo

skirt: Zara

sunglasses: zero UV

earrings: SLY

clutch: Dezso by Sara Beltran

wedges: Zara

watch: Daniel Wellington

Wearing many of my favorite items in one outfit is always a satisfying feeling. I recently shopped at COS in Minami-Aoyama for the first time, and I immediately fell in love with their beautiful, vivid colors and clean silhouettes. Even though it is starting to become a bit warm to be wearing a trench coat, I still couldn't help picking out this pretty electric blue belted trench. One of my goals is to incorporate more vivid colors in my wardrobe, so might as well start boldly, right? 

I kept the rest of the outfit minimal but clean, with a simple round-neck T-shirt, a black and white pencil skirt, and casual wedges from Zara. These cat-eye sunglasses from zero UV are one of my favorites at the moment - they add some sass and edge to this outfit, and the frames are so unique as well. I also added some touches of color with the beachy clutch from Dezso, sparkly earrings and a striped watch, all bearing motifs of the ocean in one way or another. And as you can see, the day we shot these was extremely windy, to the point where Lisa and I thought we were both going to be blown away. But because we always somehow end up shooting in pretty severe winds, we've both learned to use it in our favor. I think the trench coat looks much more alive in the wind, don't you think?

最近ハマっているアイテム達を、一つのコーディネートにまとめると、すごくいい気分になりますよね。今回は、このお気に入りの刺激的なブルーのトレンチコートをメインにコーデを組んでみました！COS南青山店に初めて立ち寄って、すぐ好きになりました。素敵な色合いのお洋服、しかもどれもシンプルだけれども綺麗なシルエットばかりのもの。結局、このブルーのトレンチを選びました。これからはもっとカラーを着たいので、思いっきりアウターでその目標をスタートするのもいいかな、と。

トレンチのブルーを目立たせるために、トップスやスカートはモノクロに。今回は様々な小物が大活躍してます。zero UVのサングラスは、フェミニンでエッジの効いた形で、とても気に入っています。クラッチ、イアリング、腕時計はすべて海をテーマのものを選びました。もうすぐ海の季節ですからね！この日は風が特に強くて、吹き飛ばされそうでした！でも、コートが風になびいて、綺麗に見えるかなと思います。どう思いますか？

All photos by Paint with Stars Photography

Without you here, only echoes will ring

A line from one of my favorite ballads by Tokyo Jihen, "Sweet Spot."


photos by Nahoko Suzuki
makeup by Asuka Takei
styling by Samantha Mariko

summer is almost here

The season for tank tops, festive sunglasses, sandals and bright colors is just around the corner. This palm tree clutch from Dezso is one of my favorites, and I'll probably be using it to carry around all my summertime essentials. And I can't wait to rock these cute sunglasses from zero UV, an affordable and stylish sunglasses brand from Orange County, California (my hometown!). Get yours here :)

Anyways, hope everyone had a great weekend! I worked Friday through Sunday, so tomorrow (Monday) is my Saturday. What a weird feeling! Cheers to the weekend!


５月に入って、東京はすぐ夏日和になりました。タンクトップやサンダル、サングラスやネオンカラーの季節がやってきましたね！夏になると、お気に入りのDezsoのクラッチを愛用しています。必要な小物を持ち歩くのにいい！あと、この可愛いサングラスを夏コーデに取り入れるのが楽しみです♪zero UVのサングラスだよ！他のスタイリッシュなサングラスはこちらをチェック←

Embrace simplicity

I finally had a chance to do a photo shoot session to update my modeling portfolio - these are just a few from the batch. Ever since I dyed my hair black, my makeup routine has changed as well. Changing my hair color and chopping it shorter made me realize that a more natural, simplified look is actually better. In these photos, I'm only NARS Sheer Glow Foundation and Radiant Creamy Concealer  Even for my daily makeup routine, I've been skipping eyeliner and mascara most days now. I just use a neutral eyeshadow, fill in my eyebrows with a brow powder, and curl my lashes with the Shu Uemura eyelash curler. 

I've changed my hair style quite a few times in the past 4-5 years, and one thing I've realized is that your haircut and hair color really determine how your makeup should be done. It took me a while to know what looks good on me in terms of face shape and skin color, but I think this little black bob + fringe is here to stay, well, at least for a while. Have you had a similar experience where a change in hairstyle has made you simplify your look, or change your makeup routine? Let me know in the comments!

やっとブック用の作品撮りが出来たので、ブログで公開します！髪の毛を黒のショートボブにしてから、メイクも更にシンプルになった気がする。今回も、ベースメークのみで、アイメイク全くやってません。最近のデイリーのメイクも、アイラインとマスカラはほとんど使ってないです。髪型やカラーを変えるだけで、メイクがこんなにもシンプルに出来るんだなーと実感しました。やっぱり、髪型は大事ですね！