Model Sonomi x Chiharu Nagatomi | "I Want It All – Love, Career, Everything!" (Part 2)
Featuring popular model SONOMI
SONOMI × Chiharu Nagatomi: A Conversation (Part 2)
“I Want It All: Love, Career, Everything!” (1)
Our guest for the third installment of “Chiharu Nagatomi’s Beauty Close-Up” is model SONOMI. In this second part, we introduce products that are SONOMI’s beauty allies. We also discussed fashion.
Text by OPENERS
Photos by Emiko Hara
I can’t be overly self-conscious, and I’m always analyzing myself.
When it comes to SONOMI’s personal style, it’s all about dresses. Today, she’s wearing a red one. We started by asking about the key points of her styling.
NagatomiYou look lovely in that dress. Is there anything you pay attention to when styling it?
SONOMII still wear a lot of dresses, but I’ve definitely started to wear fewer with frills, ribbons, and lace (laughs).
NagatomiBut SONOMI and dresses are practically synonymous in the minds of your fans, aren't they?

SONOMIWhen I find an outfit I love, I think, “I’ll just change myself to match it.” Life is finite, and if I don’t wear something now that I can only wear now, I don’t want to regret not wearing it back then.
NagatomiThinking about those moments means you see yourself objectively?
SONOMIYes. Very objectively. I have a detached perspective on myself. That has its advantages, but also disadvantages. I can’t be overly self-conscious, and I’m always analyzing myself.
NagatomiIn a way, that means you’re hard on yourself, right? What is it about dresses that holds such unique appeal?
SONOMIDresses, in particular, represent something only women can wear. If I was born a woman, I want to wear them. They’re a prime example of an item that lets me enjoy my femininity. Clothes really can change how you feel, can’t they?
NagatomiAbsolutely! But lately, I’ve been lacking the drive to design my body to wear the clothes I want. I’m starting to feel my age because of it.
SONOMIFor my work, I often wear suits or pantsuits, leaning towards cooler styles. So, in my private life, I’m in a phase where I want to enjoy more feminine things.
NagatomiWhat’s your “SONOMI-chan style” today?
SONOMIToday it’s a bit French-inspired and girly. I’m also carrying a basket bag. I’ve been liking red a lot lately. I didn’t like it much in my twenties, though.
Featuring popular model SONOMI
SONOMI × Chiharu Nagatomi: A Conversation (Part 2)
“I Want It All: Love, Career, Everything!” (2)
My ideal is Sienna Miller’s proportion
NagatomiTo continue wearing the clothes you love, you must naturally be mindful of maintaining your figure. Could you tell us specifically what kind of care you do?
SONOMII brought some “travel essentials” today! First, a body roller. This is a full-body one recommended by my esthetician. When they do it, I tighten up immediately, but when I do it myself, I just keep rolling after a bath, like a habit (laughs).
NagatomiConstantly!? Is it good for reducing puffiness too?
SONOMIYes, it is. And I’ve been using MediQtto for about 10 years now. Recently, they released a short type that only goes below the knee, the “Sleep MediQtto,” and it’s great too! (laughs) It helps move blood that has pooled in your ankles back up while you sleep.
NagatomiThey’re also useful on airplanes, aren’t they?
SONOMIMy biggest concern is cellulite! I feel like it’s increased significantly since I turned 30, to the point where my esthetician was surprised, saying, “You’re slim, but it’s all the way to your ankles!” She asked, “Weren’t your ankles slimmer before?” Apparently, if you leave swelling untreated, it turns into fat, making it easier for cellulite to form.
NagatomiThat’s surprising. Cold can also lead to cellulite, right? Wearing these MediQtto socks must keep you warm too. What kind of exercises do you do?
SONOMIWhen I used to go to the gym three times a week for BoxFit, I was at my slimmest, but I became too toned, almost muscular, and lost my suppleness.
NagatomiBoxercise sounds fun and intense, but I’ve heard that if you push yourself too hard, your glutes can become toned in a masculine way.
SONOMIMy ideal is Sienna Miller’s physique. She has muscle, but she’s also supple and beautiful.
NagatomiYou could make your second book about training. It would be practical too!
SONOMIOh, that’s a good idea! Maybe something I can’t escape from is better (laughs).
NagatomiAh, we’ve gone off track. Sorry! I tend to stray from the topic. Continuing with your travel items, you have quite a few supplements!
SONOMIMy biggest pride is my health. I never even catch colds. Health is a gift from God. But when I go on overseas shoots, I tend to overeat, so I bring supplements. I pack a lot of multivitamins and placenta. I’m a worrier. I believe that if I keep taking them, I’ll stay beautiful (laughs).
NagatomiI agree, if you don’t believe and continue, the results will be halved. What is this “SPEED DIETING”? I’ve never seen it before.
SONOMIThis is my latest hit product. Someone recommended it to me while traveling. It’s a product that says, “Let’s lose weight in a week!” It’s a body cream with different ingredients for morning and night.
NagatomiWhere exactly do you apply it?
SONOMIMy stomach, thighs, and hips.
NagatomiEven while traveling, you don’t skip such efforts; that’s impressive. But actually, I recently realized something important: beautiful people have their reasons. Body shape is a prime example. They train diligently to build muscle in specific areas. And if there’s a part they want to slim down, they’re equally diligent with their care. While we might think, “I’ll do it tomorrow,” or “It’s okay since I’m traveling,” they make it a habit. Their mental fortitude is strong too. Perhaps, by making things a habit, their mental strength grows as well.

SONOMIThis leave-in hair treatment from “Aveda” is also a staple item. My hair texture changes when the water changes abroad, but this really helps.
NagatomiExactly. Water really does make a difference. My usual shampoo often doesn’t lather well overseas. Hair can get dry or frizzy, which is more troublesome than dealing with skin. When leave-in conditioners first came out, I thought they were just to protect hair from dryer heat, but they have so many uses. Plus, hairstyles are important when traveling. This eye pillow is cute too.
SONOMIBecause I’m a worrier, I bring the things I normally use. Despite being a worrier, my personality is quite laid-back (laughs). That’s why my suitcase always gets full.
Featuring popular model SONOMI
SONOMI × Chiharu Nagatomi: A Conversation (Part 2)
“I Want It All: Love, Career, Everything!” (3)
We shouldn’t think that gaining something means losing something else.
NagatomiHas your shopping style changed recently?
SONOMII’ve become much more cautious. I’ve told myself that I absolutely won’t waste money anymore. My approach to shopping has changed in the last two years or so.
NagatomiFor example, if someone wants to become as stylish as you, SONOMI, would you say it’s better to buy a lot, or to be more cautious? What do you think?
SONOMIThat’s a really fresh question! Shopping is about experience, isn’t it? When you’re young, I think it’s okay to shop a lot and make mistakes. That’s how you discover your own style, ideas, and how you like to wear things. I think it’s fine to buy a lot and learn from it. I used to buy a lot until I was 25. Was that all a dream? (laughs) Lately, I don’t really want for much.
NagatomiIs that linked to your philosophy on life?
SONOMILife is only once, so maybe it’s okay to be more ambitious. Lately, I’ve suddenly thought that maybe it’s okay to feel, “I’m happy right now, everything is happy.” We shouldn’t think that gaining something means losing something else. I want it all: love and career. Why shouldn’t I want it? I think there must be time for me to be ambitious.
NagatomiIf you say it, it can happen!
SONOMIThey say that “word power” is effective when directed at others. “I will achieve everything!”
NagatomiSONOMI, you’re so genuine and cute! It’s only recently that women have felt comfortable saying out loud, “I want to be beautiful! I want to be popular!” Perhaps the SONOMI style will become the mainstream from now on. I’ll say it too.
SONOMIThere’s no need to be pessimistic. I believe there are three periods in life when you can be selfish. The first ended around 17 or 18, and perhaps this is my second period.
NagatomiWell then, be selfish and make it happen! I’m looking forward to it!

