Interview with Yumi Kaeko — Creative and eccentric young model
Yumi Kaeko is a 19-year old model residing in North Hollywood, California.
How would you introduce yourself to our readers?
Well I was born in Northridge, CA but moved a lot over Southern California throughout my life, primarily in the Inland Empire. I knew from a young age that I wanted to move to Los Angeles and pursue the entertainment business, fashion, modeling, and art. I graduated high school early last year and moved out to pursue a fashion degree at an art school in the Los Angeles area. I knew that the suburban, picket fenced Inland Empire had nothing to offer me.
I enjoy writing poetry, short stories, Japanese pop culture, going out, graphic design, dance, creating art, and singing. I have lot of active interests and am currently trying to nail down exactly what I’d like to do in the future. I’ve been writing since I was six and recently am getting another poem published. I’ve been interested in anime and Japanese fashion since fifth grade and have loved taking inspiration from these subcultures in my art and design. I also love rave culture: the fashion, the ideals and concepts, etc.
I’m currently a full time student, freelance model, and part time cam girl.
When, how and why did you first get involved in the modeling industry?
I’ve always been told since I was young that I should be a model because I was so lean and tall. At sixteen, I decided to make a Model Mayhem account and pursue building a portfolio before I moved to the city for college in the fall. I always liked the idea of alternative or kawaii style modeling. My idols were Amelia Nightmare and Japanese gravure AV models. I knew I could attain modeling in Los Angeles and took the steps to start modeling ahead of time.
What are your personal and professional goals? Where do you see yourself in five to ten years?
There are a lot of different ideas floating around my head, but whatever I do career in the long term, I know that I want it to be creative and hands on. I’ve been mulling over pursuing graphic design as a degree because I love Photoshop and Illustrator. I have also been thinking about establishing my own fashion collectible. I’d also like to publish some books and become discovered as a visual artist. I’m coming out with my own personal membership site this Halloween and know that I’d like to continue in the gravure and alternative style of modeling.
How often are you modeling and what does it usually consist of?
I was modeling several times a month, but have taken a break to prepare for my site launch. My modeling was mostly glamour and fetish photo shoots because that is more my style of modeling. I occasionally will get editorial fashion also.
Please tell us about the best and/or worst experiences you’ve had so far in modeling.
The best experiences I’ve had were a really funny photo shoot for a fetish and Burlesque show that I was a part of. It was Alice and Wonderland themed and a really good time to shoot. The outfits were really creative and kawaii and all of the people and models were very nice. The atmosphere was also very relaxed and I love that.
One of the worst experiences I’ve had was having a very unprofessional photographer. He showed up around thirty minutes late to meet, and he was a horrid retoucher. Among many other faux pas, he gave me seven fingers in Photoshop and didn’t notice until I pointed it out. Needless to say, I never worked with him again.
Is there anything you would change about the modeling industry if you could?
If I could change anything about the modeling industry, I would make it less narrow. Being a mixed race model with a septum ring and usually colored hair, it can be hard to get photo shoots, even being thin and tall. I can’t imagine how much harder it is for other models who are petite or have more alterations. I think it would be great if the modeling industry embraced different types of girls more often.
Do you practice any sports and what do you typically eat? Please elaborate on the importance of nutrition and exercise in your life.
I have never been one for sports, since I’m very clumsy, but enjoy exercise in the gym or regularly walking. I am an avid Zumba goer. I love dance incorporated into exercise because then it feels more fun and natural to me. I also currently don’t have a car, so I get regular exercise just getting where I’m going. I thought I would hate it when I moved out here, but now I enjoy going out and walking. Not only am I getting a light workout, but I also get to be a part of my surroundings and notice things I may not normally notice, like a new shop or grocery.
I’m a vegetarian and believe it’s one of the best decisions I could have made. I grew up in a household were my mother was on and off vegan or vegetarian, and our food was made from scratch and with nutritious ingredients. I think that made a big impact on how I eat now. I can’t really stomach fast food, and buy whole grains vs white, egg whites vs eggs, soymilk vs milk, and so on. I also live Cliff Bars and Naked juice. I value my future health and don’t usually have a taste for junk food, and if I do, I make a healthy alternative.
Please share something people don’t know about you.
Something people may not know about me is that I love to cook. One of my favorite things to do is cook for friends and family or make a meal for myself. I have a great wheat, 4-cheese baked Mac and cheese recipe and I love making egg white omelettes. When I cook, I use lots of different seasonings and vegetables and love seeing other’s reactions.
Would you change anything about yourself?
I wouldn’t change anything about myself, because everything I am has allowed me to be the strong young woman I am today. I used to think that I wanted to change my teeth or be taller, but I feel that my teeth have given me character and my height isn’t significant enough to change. I just wish I was as tall as my parents at least. My mother is 5″8 and my dad is 6″2, but I’m only 5″7.
What is the kinkiest thing you’ve ever done?
One of the kinkiest things I’ve ever done was shibari rope fetish shoot where I was completely tied up in a Japanese schoolgirl outfit. I had never been tied before, and the feeling was very euphoric and invigorating. It made me become more interested in shibari rope play. I’m already active in the fetish community, so shibari rope play became something I was interested in doing outside of the shoot with my significant other.
Visit Yumi Kaeko’s website for more photos and information