Rinka Kumada look.2

Rinka Kumada started out as an exclusive model with teen magazines “nicola” and “Seventeen” and is now an exclusive model for “non-no” magazine after being a cover girl for the mag in June 2022. Look 2 has her in a black and pink get up. She wears a black knit polo that is short hemmed together with a balloon skirt which is trending this season. It is a cute design that puffs up gently. On her feet are the new shoes MEXICO 66 BOXING which have presence and a sharp silhouette. This get up seems to suit her present fashion sense.

“The pink gives off a little sweet taste but is offset by the sneakers, so it is nice and I want to do something with it in my own garb. In my later teens I enjoyed a feminine styling but now enjoy garb that is suppressed by monotone and slightly mannish items. So this black and pink get up is just right for my present mood!”

It has been ten years since she began modeling. She loved to be filmed from a young age and still carries herself like she is being watched. I asked her if she has some kind of a routine as a model and her response revealed a sincere work ethic toward what she enjoys doing.

“When I first started modeling, I practiced striking poses in front of a mirror referring to established models in fashion mags and cutting and pasting them in a notebook. It brings back memories (laughs.) Now I try to read different kinds of mags across genres and I am always making mental notes such as how this designer takes this type of photo and aspire to work with them one day. I have gradually grown as a model since I began practicing in front of a mirror; I have gotten to the point where I can now express through my body and mood what I imagine in my head. Perhaps it is also because I love what I do.

The image that viewers have of me is garb that is a little sweet, but the reality is not what you would expect (laughs.) I want to challenge myself with photo shoots like this one which are a little off.”

As an actress, she has done primarily student roles so far. But as her experience has grown, she has had more opportunities to take on new roles. How she meets the challenge of taking on a new character is similar to when she started modeling.

“Acting is becoming more enjoyable for me as I gain experience. I want to challenge myself with different kinds of parts and I try to see different types of shoots. But how I approach my work as a model and actress are the same. I played mostly students until now as it was easier to form an image of a character in my head as this has been my life experience so far. But I am excited about the prospect of playing different roles henceforth.”

She takes on a new role in the TBS Friday night drama series “DOPE: Narcotics Control Department Special Investigation Division” that begins in July. She plays Ruka Izumi a mysterious former female agent on the Special Investigation Division. This is her first attempt at action; it is different from the image she has established until now and will no doubt open new doors for her.

“I had not played a role which involved doing action scenes before, so I was a little anxious, but it turned out to be a lot more enjoyable than I imagined. I am training to prepare for this film, but I am from the ballet and I like moving my body so it was a lot of fun. I also got advice from fellow actor Arata Iura so my world is expanding each day. When I tell people back home that I am playing this role everyone says the same thing “but that’s not who you are” and that gives me a kick! (laughs.) I want to take on new roles that people think are unusual for me and surprise everyone!”

Her pursuit to discover parts of herself that she hasn’t known before headlong and with keen interest encourages me.

→ For Look 1, I ask Rinka Kumada about her love of fashion.

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Direction: Shinsuke Nozaka
Photo, Movie: Masato Moriyama (TRIVAL)
Stylist: Kosei Matsuda
Hair & Make up: Saki Hidaka (ilumini)
Text: Saki Shibata