Kiko Mizuhara and Niels Schneider have been revealed in Maison Kitsune fall/winter 2013-14 lookbook.

Both Japanese and American, Kiko Mizuhara is currently the hottest cover girl in Japan, a promising actress and the new Maison Kitsuné muse.

Niels Schneider is a promising French actor, especially celebrated for his performance in Xavier Dolan‘s film “Heartbeats“.

Maison Kitsuné has exclusively interviewed them! Discover their answers below!

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Interview of Kiko Mizuhara

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Kiko is wearing the cream “Fox Head Pullover Jacquard”

Does your name “Kiko” means something?

Kiko came from Princess Akishino who is known as Princess Kiko. Her Kiko is with this letter “紀”, but my one is “希” because a fortune teller said “紀” doesn’t match with my last name.

Tell us more about the beginning of your career, how did everything start and how did you succeed to arrive here?

I belonged to a model agency when I lived in Kobe, and was taking acting classes, modeling for some local jobs, etc. My decent model career has started from Japanese teen fashion magazine called Seventeen. I found a model audition page in Seventeen, sent my pictures and passed! I’ve been modeled for 3 years, quitted for an year, and moved to Tokyo to restart modeling. Few years later, film director Tran Anh Hung found me in a magazine and asked me to act Midori in his film “Norwegian Wood”.

What did you think the first time you saw yourself in a magazine?

I was a little child, so was just happy and my reaction was like “wow, I’m in a magazine!”.

Your favorite fashion magazine?

I have too many!

How was the shooting for the Maison Kitsuné Fall-Winter 2013 lookbook?

It was just fun. Actually it was my first time to work with my friend and stylist Yoko Miyake. Of course photographer Kotori Kawashima‘s pictures were amazing, I love them.

What is your favorite piece of the collection?

I especially like the teddy with Kitsune logo on back. Also sweater with Kitsune’s face on it.

Niels is wearing the red check “Safari Shirt BD”, with grass “Cable R-neck Pullover Cashmere Solid”  and camel “Classic Coat”.

Kiko is wearing the petrol “Jersey Skirt” and the royal blue and white Teddy.

Did you enjoy to pose with Niels Schneider, an actor ?

It was great, but I was wondering if he was ok with his hand injured…

Have you ever seen one of the films he played in, as “Les Amours Imaginaires”?

Unfortunately not yet.

Describe us the kind of outfit you love to wear.

I love so many different styles such as retro styles, dresses, casual wears, simple looks and many more… The only problem is that I have too many clothes!

Give us three of your favorite places in Paris?

My favorite places in Paris are the Passage Verdeau, where I bought paintings, a gay bar at Le Marais and of course, fashion boutiques!

What are you currently working on?

Japanese history drama called Yae no Sakura.

Could we expect to see you again on stage or on screen?

I’ll be in the new Japanese film out on January 2014.

Kiko is wearing the cream “Fox Head Pullover Jacquard”.

Kiko is wearing the navy and white “Baby Shirt A mini print” with the plum “Jersey Skirt” and indigo “Lavinia Coat”.

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Interview of Niels Schneider

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Niels is wearing the green/grey check “Worker Shirt BD” with the “Classic Suit A“.

Was it the first time you posed as a model?

Yes, it was the first time, but I did not have the impression of acting as a model. Anyway, I would not be able to play as I would not take myself seriously. The shooting went well as if we were taking photos with friends while having a walk in the streets of Tokyo. I never knew when Kotori Kawashima was taking a picture. And he rarely shot more than twice.

Do you see yourself more as an actor or a comedian?

It is the same thing but I think the word « comedian » reminds me of something more human, rather than the word « actor »… When I think of «  actor », I see right on the spot magazine covers. So I would se myself more as a « comedian »… Anyway, it’s the same job !

You’ve spent quite a time in Québec. How was your life there? 

I love Montreal, this city’s energy, its youth and its space. People have a more direct relationship compared to the French. I am profoundly love this city.

Was it there your first met the director Xavier Dolan? How did it happen?

Yes I met him at the preview of my first movie « Everything Is Fine » directed by Yves Christian Fournier. He was preparing another movie, « I have killed my mother ». He told me that he would like to see me in his movie but he had already asked another actor who let him down, so he called me again.

Tell us more about the beginning of your career, how did everything start and how did you succeed to arrive here?

Yves Christian Fournier wanted new faces for his movie « Everything Is Fine », so he organized a wild casting in skateparks and everywhere. He saw hundreds of youngsters creating a group of five mates. Personally, at this moment, I was preparing auditions for conservatory entrance and then, we have met. We got along well with each other and I prefered to learn my job with him rather than in a academic system.

What did you think the first time you saw yourself in a movie theater on a screen?

It was terribly akward. I see myself as a discreet person and I forget this fact when I am acting. Seing myself is a unpleasant feeling… I wanted to quit the movie theater.

And when Robert De Niro gave you the Chopard trophee, as the “newcomer of the year”, at the Cannes Film Festival?

On the contrary, it was a great pleasure ! Especially to have the chance to meet him. His generosity really touched me.

Do you read magazines? If yes, which ones?

I did subscribe to any magazines but I read Les Inrocks, Les Cahiers du cinema, So films…

How was the shooting for the Maison Kitsuné Fall-Winter 2013 lookbook?

It was great as we walked everywhere in Tokyo which was a city I did not know at all. So, as I stayed there only for two days, I could discover the city during the shooting. Kotori Kawashima worked extremely rapidly, sometimes, the photo was even already taken before me realizing.

Niels is wearing the black “Maison Kitsuné Sweater With Print” and camel “Chino Solid”.

Did you enjoy to pose with Kiko Mizuhara, an actress ?

She is incredibly famous in Japan. She is just sublime and I was so happy to be with such a pretty girl.

Have you ever seen one of the films she played in, as “La Ballade de L’Impossible”?

No, but I want to watch it since months ! It seems to be a beautiful movie. I did not realize but now, it a reason to see it.

What’s your feeling about the Maison Kitsuné Fall-Winter 2013 collection for men?

It is a young and elegant collection which visits back again classics, paying attention to details. It is a perfect mix between the « Chic à la française » and the street.

Describe us the kind of outfit you love to wear.

I like wearing very simple clothes paying attention to details.

Give us three of your favorite places in Paris?

My three fetish places in Paris are « L’ami Jean » to have lunch, « Le Cœur fou » in the 2^nd district to have a drink and « Autour du midi » to relax while listening to jazz music.

What are you currently working on?

I am currently working on my script, and also in “Romeo and Juliette”, in which I will play at the Theatre de la Porte Saint Martin in September.

Could we expect to see you again on scene or on screen?

Yes, the movie « After midnight dates » directed by Yann Gonzalez will be released on September and then, I will be playing a the Theatre de la Porte Saint Martin in the play “Romeo and Juliette”.

Niels is wearing the navy Maison Kitsuné “Fashion Music Sweater ” and multicolor “Safari Jacket A” and camel “Chino Solid”.

Kiko is wearing the indigo “Chunky Pullover” with the camel “Parker B”.

Niels is wearing the green check “Two Buttons Jacket F”, the white “Classic Shirt BD With Pocket” and the camel “Chino Solid”.

Kiko is wearing the green moss ”Shawlcollar Jacket B” and the “Jane B Skirt“.

Photos Credit: Kotori Kawashima