"Clothes That Elevate My Motivation When I Wear Them"

With her translucent skin and a slender yet graceful frame, Yuko Takeuchi appeared at the studio that morning with a beauty that took everyone's breath away, yet she exuded an utterly natural aura. Even during the pre-shoot wardrobe consultation before hair and makeup, she put everyone at ease, chatting amicably with the staff, saying things like, "This combination is cute," and "This dress is beautiful."

Her demeanor remained unchanged once the shoot began. She kept the atmosphere light, making everyone laugh with playful poses after changing outfits. However, when the camera turned to her, her gaze became sharp, transforming into an expression brimming with femininity that was impossible to ignore. Perhaps this is the aura that only a top-tier actress can possess.



"Actually, this is my first time wearing Giorgio Armani for a shoot like this."

Takeuchi shared during a break in the shoot.

"My initial image of the brand was that it's worn by adults who are both emotionally and financially secure. I'm happy to be able to wear such luxurious clothing as a costume. When I actually put it on, it felt surprisingly comfortable against my skin and was very easy to wear."



For the shoot, she first worea mini dress adorned with beadsand commented, "I felt it was a dress that creates a feminine silhouette. Wearing a dress makes me feel more motivated, and it might also be clothing that reminds me to be mindful of my posture to look beautiful."

"Among what I wore today,the pantsuitandthe combination of the black cape and chiffon mini dresswere also favorites. There was a surprising and interesting element of "Is that how it looks!?" when I saw them on the hanger versus actually wearing them. But they all really made my body line look beautiful."















Giorgio Armani's Fall/Winter 2012-13 collection is particularly colorful among recent collections, featuring vivid hues like pink and orange, accented with rockabilly-inspired details. For this shoot, against a simple studio backdrop, Takeuchi was encouraged to move freely. What was she thinking, and what kind of woman did she portray?

"The use of accent colors and even the accessories are dramatic; the clothing itself has an element of playfulness and theatricality. From that, I felt, 'Maybe it's okay not to be smiling my usual cheerful self today' (laughs). The impression I got from the clothes was of a woman who is somewhat free-spirited and willful, yet also has a devoted and delicate side."

Wearing Armani's clothes made her feel more composed and aware of her femininity.

"Wearing a mannish pantsuit, paradoxically, makes me more aware of my own femininity. And clothing that draws attention to various parts of the body, like short pants that reveal the legs or sleeveless dresses that show the arms, is fun to wear. There's a certain tension, but it feels like I'm being considerate of myself, like I'm cherishing myself."



In the drama "Strawberry Night," Takeuchi's portrayal of a character who always wore sharp, mannish pantsuits and exhibited a stern expression and demeanor was memorable. We asked her about the clothes she wears for work and her real-life style in private.

"Sometimes I choose clothes that match the character's persona, and other times I go for something completely different... In 'Strawberry Night,' I'm almost always in a suit, so on my way to and from the set, I sometimes wear cute clothes even when it's not necessary (laughs). It might be a dress, a cardigan, or even a casual T-shirt. It's purely for my own satisfaction, as there's no one to see it, but during times when I have very little private time, I feel a strong urge to change things up."

Regarding her overall private style, she mentioned, "I always have a desire to 'look put-together,' so I tend to buy clothes that are comfortable yet have a moderate sense of polish. I often opt for monochrome or earth tones that don't make too much of a statement."

When asked which piece from the Giorgio Armani lineup she wore for the shoot she would incorporate into her private wardrobe, she replied, "Hmm, I particularly like the black hat. And the shoes. I also think large accessories really stand out when worn with chic, subdued clothing. Today's shoot was truly enjoyable!"



YUKO TAKEUCHI
Actress. Born April 1, 1980, in Saitama Prefecture. Blood type A, Aries. Shortly after graduating from junior high school, she was scouted by her current agency during spring break and debuted in the 1996 TV drama "New Friday Night Thriller: Cyborg." She received the Japan Academy Film Prize for Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role for her work in "Yomigaeri," "Be with You," and "Spring Snow." The film "Strawberry Night" is scheduled for release on January 26, 2013 (Saturday) by Toho.
Film "Strawberry Night" Official Website | http://strawberrynight-movie.jp
Yuko Takeuchi Official Website | http://official.stardust.co.jp/yuko/