The Fab Five from Queer Eye [1] is saying goodbye to Atlanta and hello to Tokyo with the help of international fashion icon Kiko Mizuhara in the miniseason Queer Eye [2]: We're in Japan! In this four-episode special, Mizuhara guides Antoni Porowski, Tan France, Karamo Brown, Bobby Berk, and Jonathan Van Ness throughout the streets of Tokyo as they give four tenderhearted lifestyle makeovers [3] to Tokyo residents.
Although born in Dallas, Mizuhara moved with her parents to Tokyo at the age of 2 and began her modelling career in the city at the age of 13. Since then, Mizuhara has captivated Japan in runway shows, starred in iconic Japanese films, and eventually spread her influence internationally with her own fashion brand OK, aka Office Kiko.
Being such a major Japanese societal figure makes Mizuhara a great person to help the Fab Five immerse themselves in the culture in this new season. Here are some fun facts and a quick glimpse at some of Mizuhara's Instagrams that'll help you get to know her better.
She Has Many Exclusive Collaborations With the Fashion Brand Opening Ceremony
Kiko Mizuhara and Opening Ceremony [4] have a long history together with their first collaboration debuting in Spring 2013. That same year her fashion week collection titled, "Bad Girl of the '90s" gave birth to the famous pizza-inspired piece worn by Beyoncé.
She Is a Big Fan of Drag Queens and the Feelings Are Mutual
Kiko Mizuhara considers herself a fan of drag queens and gay culture [5]. She is friends with Ru Paul's Drag Race season 10 winner Aquaria, and one of her interests is finding a gay club in every city she travels to. She explained to CNN that she views gay clubs as safe, which makes them enjoyable for her.
She Started Her Career Early
Kiko Mizuhara's modelling career began in 2003 after she won a reader's choice contest with Seventeen Japan [6] that made her the face of the magazine for three years.
She Was Photographed by Karl Lagerfeld Himself
Kiko Mizuhara's status as a top model in Japan caught the attention of the late Chanel Creative Director and fashion mogul, Karl Lagerfeld. In 2012, he shot Mizuhara for Chanel's Little Black Jacket campaign.
She Is Friends With K-Pop Group Blackpink
Jisoo and Rosé first met Kiko Mizuhara at a New York Fashion Week event in 2018 [7].
She Is Only 5' 6"
Yes, Kiko Mizuhara gives hope to all young women under the height of 5'8" who want to rise to the top of the modelling industry. Mizuhara is two inches under the average runway model height [8] but never once did she let that stop her from dominating some of the biggest runway shows in fashion. A queen!
She Has One of the Highest Instagram Follower Counts in Japan
Her Instagram account, @i_am_kiko [9], as of October 2019 has a total of 5.2 million followers, placing her in the top five accounts in Japan.
She Is Half American and Half Korean
Although she lived in Japan for the majority of her life, Kiko Mizuhara's father is American and her mother is Zainichi-Korean. [10]