Yoji Iwase look.1

Actor Yoji Iwase who is also attracting attention in the fashion world appears in OT magazine wearing 2024 Fall/Winter garb. This up-and-coming actor is winning over hearts by appearing in numerous TV dramas and film such as “Captured New Airport” which generated buzz on social media with fans commenting, “He’s so good looking!” He currently appears in two different TV dramas “Takara‘s Treasure” and “Minami is the Boyfriend!?” Recently, he has put his height and good looks to use in modeling. He is riding the wave of his popularity and in-demand.

For look.1, he wears a casual ensemble of new Onitsuka Tiger garb. He has a graceful figure and is cool. But the secret of his popularity is not limited to this, but may also be attributed to his straight-laced persona and sincere work ethic.

“I turned 20 this year. Technically speaking you are an adult at 18, but 20 still remains a key turning point in your life. As a new adult and member of the workforce, I feel that I must be conscious to act in a responsible manner. I have been fortunate enough over the past year and a half to be hired for a number of gigs, and my awareness and attitude toward the work has changed greatly. I have made progress day-to-day and there are things to learn all the time on any set. There are plenty of things to learn by watching the behavior of doyen actors or staff members.”

He places most importance on his physical condition as the basis of his work and paramount asset. He does not skimp on preparation and moderation to maintain his condition. He also considers his looks to be another asset which he has discovered in the process of performing. I caught a glimpse of this work ethic from just a few minutes talking with him.

“I like my work as a model as well as an actor. I want to take on different challenges. I believe that acting is my calling, and my goal is to one day attain the academy award. I still feel that I have a long way to go as there is oftentimes a divergence in the expressions that I intended to make and what the camera captures on film. So I try to maintain myself so that I look good, as well as practice my expressions day-to-day. It is because I consider acting to be my calling that I make the effort. Recently, I am mindful to be a gentleman on the inside, whether or not it is for work.”

Iwase has a stately composure that may be at odds with his being only twenty years old, and he can appropriately convey his thoughts in words. I feel that those who can wear the garb elegantly possess their own worldview and aesthetic, and Iwase is also made of such stuff.

Look 1 features the navy blue short thick jacket with the Onitsuka Tiger patch. It has a wool material feel fit for the Fall and Winter season which is casual yet also brings out a sense of decorum and is one of OT’s best sellers. The very POP pink hoody is used to highlight the blouson, and the beige pants and dark brown sneakers make for a rather elegant ensemble fit. The color scheme is adult-like and kind of sophisticated that is good for reference sake.

“I would never wear pink ordinarily as it is centered on black. My work garb is clean-looking rather than caszh, so this look is refreshing! I liked this caszh look too and was happy to have discovered a new side of me. All items are idiosyncratic for their own use, but in this particular look, the pink hoody is my favorite! The hair and makeup was refreshing to me as well. While I don’t wear bangs roughly like this, it was an interesting look for me!”

“When you think of Onitsuka Tiger, many people have this idea of aggressive, edgy designs, but actually there are also a lot of casual, stylish, elegant and refined items. So it is a brand not just for fashionistas but for anyone looking to coordinate your wardrobe to suit you. You are sure to find garb and sneakers that are right for you!”

At the end of the interview, he let me in on where he would go on a two week vacation: “I can’t find the time to vacation recently, but if I manage to get a whole two weeks off, I would want to go on an overseas vacation. I would first try Bali Island or Thailand or an island in the South Pacific where I can immerse myself in vacationing. Then later to Vancouver to cool off.”

→ For look.2, I will interview Iwase about newly released Onitsuka Tiger shoes he plans on purchasing for himself and about his daily routine!

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Direction : Shinsuke Nozaka
Photo, Movie: Masato Moriyama (TRIVAL)
Stylist : Kosei Matsuda
Hair & Make up : Hitoshi Nobusawa
Text : Ryoko Suzuki