Daiken Okudaira look.1

As we follow the trail of things we love, we often find unexpected connections—ones that eventually become a part of who we are. Actor Daiken Okudaira was drawn to the world of fashion during his middle school years. He would thoroughly check each season’s collections, captivated by the fresh designs and unique worldviews they presented.In this feature, he wears the latest pieces from DENIVITA. The washed shirts, jackets, and denim pants develop more character with each wear, naturally conforming to the body over time. Known for wearing his favorite clothes to the fullest, these pieces resonated deeply with Daiken Okudaira.

“Onitsuka Tiger’s denim felt really fresh to me. I especially love wide silhouettes, so I was thrilled to wear these pieces. I tend to wear my favorite clothes until they’re falling apart, and this denim has a great texture—sturdy and the kind you grow attached to. I never throw my old jeans away even when they’re ripped or frayed. Sometimes I revisit them and feel like wearing them again. That’s the fun of fashion—you want to wear something again, even after time has passed.”

Okudaira first became fascinated by fashion in junior high. He and like-minded friends would talk about the latest collections and spend their youth exploring vintage shops.

“I think I was most into fashion back in junior high. I was edgy—always looking for new ways to dress beyond the usual trends. That curiosity taught me how to style clothes in different ways and introduced me to vintage store owners who taught me about fashion history and roots. People say fashion starts from the feet, right? But I wanted to rebel against that and sometimes styled my outfits top-down instead (laughs). So I didn’t really get into shoes until later. These days, I try lots of different kinds, but comfort is always important. The sneakers I wore for this shoot have thick soles and a bold design, yet they’re super lightweight and easy to wear. I also used to do karate, so I often wear geta sandals in daily life. They make noise when you walk, which might annoy people (laughs).”

Just like fashion, music is something Okudaira deeply cherishes. He studied piano as a child and often listens to classical music—recently becoming re-absorbed in the works of Joe Hisaishi.

“I’ve always listened to orchestral music, but lately I’ve been completely into Joe Hisaishi. Beyond the famous Ghibli soundtracks, he has so many other amazing pieces. I’ve been rediscovering their charm and falling for them all over again. He’s someone I’d really love to meet someday—I’d love to attend one of his classical concerts. Music is essential to me—I’m never without my headphones.”

Okudaira’s love of music seems almost inevitable. Born to a rock-loving father and a dance-enthusiast mother, even his birthday has a musical twist.

“If I could meet another artist, it would be Earth, Wind & Fire! They have that song, ‘September,’ which my mom really loves. It’s about September 21st, and when I was about to be born, she was determined to have me on that exact day. She tried to hold on until then, but I came out on the 20th (laughs). That song plays all the time at home—it’s one of our favorites.”

Now 22 years old, Okudaira will play a college student in the upcoming NHK night drama “Someday, in Zero Gravity” airing from September. As he matures, so do the roles he takes on.

“Up until now, I’ve mostly played high school students, but this time I’m taking on one of my rare university student roles. He’s a serious character, so it’s a new challenge for me. The story revolves around four women in their 30s launching a satellite, and I think it’ll be a touching and compelling piece.”

Fashion and music have become integral parts of Daiken Okudaira’s identity—an irreplaceable source of energy. It all began in his junior high years, when he first encountered these passions. And now, fate has brought him onto a new path as an actor.

→ In Look.2, we’ll dive into Daiken Okudaira’s journey as an actor.

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Direction: Shinsuke Nozaka
Photo & Movie: Nobuko Baba (SIGNO)
Stylist: Kosei Matsuda
Hair & Makeup: Akihito Hayami (CHUUNI)
Editor & Writer: Saki Shibata