ART WORK
We spoke to the creators who put together the flashy visual effects of REBORN, and asked them about the album and Nanase Aikawa.
Project Management
Kazuo Yoshiwara
- ■Please tell us about the jacket concept.
- My main work is to direct and produce fashion show and events. Once I heard the title of the album, “Re-born”, I composed the new image of Nanase Aikawa, accentuating “Fashion”and “Mode” which is right up my street. The staffs were the great members whom I often work with.
- ■Tell us how you met Ms. Aikawa.
- There is a bland called “CHIYUKI” which I direct. The designer introduced her to me at the collection site since she was a good friend of hers. We are very good friends with many common friends
- ■What kind of person is Nanase Aikawa from your point of view?
- A very attractive lady who has a deep inner strength.
Graphic Director
Atsushi Umezawa (Glam Beast)
- ■Please tell us about the design concept.
- I chose the colors red to express energy and blue, as a contrast, for coolness. The design’s made using light and shadow to express women’s attractiveness which appears and disappears from time to time.
- ■What was the most difficult point in design?
- I tried to be consistent with a sense of balance in showing and not showing throughout. It ended up with a visual which is fashionable yet not too cool, I believe.
- ■Was there an unknown episode in shooting?
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The back-lighted expression was accidently taken in a lively move, however, it turned out to be the best shot which shows the expression that I desired to take.
Also, she does not play her own song during shooting. Her free style like that lifted the staffs’ spirits at the site. - ■What kind of person is Nanase Aikawa, from your point of view?
- She is a woman who’s got a cute side in handsomeness. I was very happy to work with her and watching her construct an image of herself.
Photographer
RINTARO
HP : http://www.rintaro1.com/RINTARO/Top.html
- ■What was the most difficult thing in shooting?
- Nothing special, since I work with excellent staff.
- ■What is the most important thing when shooting?
- I’m focusing on how I could cut the strength and weakness of the subject and the time we share beautifully yet dynamically.
- ■What kind of person is Nanase Aikawa from your point of view?
- A woman who’s got an extraordinarily power.
Stylist
Tsugumi Watari (angle)
HP : http://www.angle-management.com/main_ja.html
- ■Black seems to be the main color of the costume this time. Was that decided before going into the shooting?
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I talked to Mr. Umezawa about the theme of the costume and decided it would be black, not colorful, to show her personal image of “REBORN” as a base line.
The whole thing has to be decided before the shooting since there is a meeting in advance.
Sometimes there are some changes in styling, depending on the situations at hand. - ■What kind of person is Nanase Aikawa from your point of view?
- A matured woman with a clear mind that very easy to talk to. I enjoy being with her.
Make
UDA (S-14)
- ■Tell us about the main theme of the makeup.
- Strong and sexy eyes contrasting her baby-face.
- ■Do you choose the makeup from the costume?
- Yes. I always think about how she would look more attractive with the costume.
- ■What kind of person is Nanase Aikawa from your point of view?
- I’ve never seen her live performance yet. But in person, I felt that she is an attractive person who has a strong power inside and pushes it out when singing.
Hair
TAKU (eight peace)
HP : http://www.eightpeace.net/top.html
- ■You cut her hair on the very shooting day. How did you decide the hair style? What is the inspiration?
- Getting the idea form the creative side to change her image from before, I decided the theme would be modern and edge yet would have some elegance.
- ■Can you give any advice to the fans who want to try the same hair style as hers?
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It is a geometric style, cutting sideburns as forelocks. The length of the bangs are the key.
Since everyone has a different bone structure it won’t be exactly the same. You can enjoy an arrangement of bang line like round or shaggy. - ■What kind of person is Nanase Aikawa from your point of view?
- Friendly and energetic!