What role does fashion play in your life?

I like to wear fashionable things, and also things that are very unique.  It’s fun to find things that are designed with a slightly different edge, like my dress printed with cats, which helps me to express my love of them.  I am always learning from my mother, who has excellent taste, and I am being exposed to many different things while always thinking about how to present myself in the best way possible. For me it’s very important to project a refined and polished appearance wherever I go, even when I’m not performing.

Are there particular things that inspire you, that help you make your choices?

Actually, inspiration is everywhere for me.  Sometimes when I’m shopping I will just see something that looks and feels right.  Other times I get an idea from a completely unrelated source.

For example, one night my mother and I were at a home in New York where there was a lovely floral arrangement made of fresh hydrangeas. It was summer, and the flowers could be seen everywhere.  Later that evening, knowing I was going to have a concert in a few days, my mother suggested that I wear hydrangeas in my hair for the second half of the concert.  The day of the concert I found some in a grocery store market that matched my dress perfectly, and with my mother’s help I put them in my hair.  I was very pleased with the result.

Do you shop in particular stores?

Actually, I go to many, many different stores, as well as specialty stores, because you never know where you are going to find something interesting or unusual.  This is particularly true for jewelry.  There are some wonderful places that sell vintage jewelry both in Japan, and New York, so I never go out looking for something in particular.  I look out of curiosity, just to see and discover.  Many things I like I see totally by chance.  In other cases, something finds me, because I wasn’t even looking for a particular thing but come across something that is really spectacular by complete coincidence.

You also have an interest in make-up.  Tell us about that.

I love make-up!  I love experimenting with it, seeing what works and what doesn’t, trying new colors, and creating different looks.  I think of it as being the finishing touch to an outfit, and I always enjoy creating ways to make my make-up correspond to what I am wearing.  In my mind make-up is a lot like fashion, just for the face.

What I also like is the idea of experimenting with make-up for different times of day as well as performances and social events.  For me it’s always so much fun!

If you have a message that you want to share with and audience in terms of your music, what do you want to say with fashion?

For me, fashion is another form of artistic expression. It is another way in which I want communicate as both a person and a musician, as it helps share the story of who I am as an aspiring artist.  What I wear is not just about having pretty dresses.  It is another way to communicate artistically.

Photos: A passion for fashion.  From left, Nana in a royal blue off the shoulder silk gown which she accessorizes with by putting fresh hydrangeas in her hair; a camel coat underneath a faux fur infinity scarf; an emerald green duchess satin sheath; and a grey chiffon blouse with a black chiffon skirt and chiffon paillettes.