For example, perfume or a brooch. Surely, if you're born a woman, there's something that makes your heart flutter or makes you feel alive. Nomiya Maki said, "I want to keep wearing high heels." The beautiful curve of high heels, which bestow grace on a woman's feet, is likened to the noble figure of Nomiya, who desires to continue singing.


■Hint 3 Beauty: The desire to keep wearing high heels forever

--As an advocate of LOOKER (looks above all else), what is Nomiya's standard of beauty?

Nomiya: When I discovered rock and Western music, the first thing that captivated me was glam rock. It's a genre of rock music, and I was crazy about David Bowie and T. Rex. My favorite band was the New York Dolls. Men smeared with makeup, tight-fitting, glittery clothing, and dyed orange or other colors, take to the stage! I thought these were the people who defined superstars. That feeling hasn't changed, and to me, they represent an unchanging symbol of beauty. My encounter with glam rock was that shocking.

Glam rock fashion may seem a bit iffy from a fashion perspective, edging the line between bad taste and bad taste. But to me, it's a dreamlike worldview that transports me to a fantasy world.

At the time, many musicians didn't have personal stylists; they created trends by dressing however they wanted. I think it was an era when designers were inspired by the fashion that emerged on the streets, and then followed suit. That "glam rock" fashion is one of my standards of beauty. That's why, now that I'm older than when I was first exposed to their "beauty," I seek out and add a touch of kitsch to my style.

--But what about beauty? Nomiya: For example, it's difficult for me to wear casual clothing like a T-shirt and jeans and sing on stage without makeup. The stage is different from everyday life, and it's important to look your best when you're in the spotlight. Dressing up on stage is essential to becoming the singer Nomiya Maki. Offstage, it's important to calmly accept the unpleasant changes that come with age and to update yourself daily with an objective eye. Even looking at your skin, it can't stay the same as it was when you were younger. So, what can I do to shine from the inside out? After thinking about it, I decided to study phytotherapy. Up until then, I'd led the unhealthy lifestyle typical of a musician, so this was a major change for me.
--When did you decide to learn phytotherapy?
Nomiya: Women go through various stages in life. It all started when I was approaching menopause and I noticed I was feeling so tired that I hesitated even to wear my favorite high heels. I believe that a healthy body and stamina are essential to being fashionable. So I started looking for natural therapies. That's how I discovered phytotherapy, and it was a natural progression.
--Have you noticed any changes in your awareness before and after learning?
Nomiya: As I continued to learn, I became even more convinced that I needed to balance my body from the inside out. Making makeup alone can't fix that, and gaining a deeper understanding of the importance of skin beauty—gaining that knowledge—made me more conscious of various things, and I feel I've become more mindful of my own body.
For example, even when it comes to something as simple as food, I think about what I should choose for myself at that moment. --It was your passion for singing and your sense of beauty that led you to phytotherapy, a change in your mindset. Nomiya: After experiencing the discomforts of menopause, I realized I needed to take better care of my body. It's something all women experience as they get older. But there's so little information about it. Things may be slowly changing in recent years, but about five years ago, when I first started learning about phytotherapy, it wasn't really something I talked about much, even among my peers. It's a sensitive topic, but there was still a lot I didn't understand. Women experience various physical changes due to just a spoonful of female hormones throughout their lifetime. If women are aware of this and take care of themselves from a young age, I think their lifestyles will gradually change. Having experienced this, I'd like to share phytotherapy with young people. --Has your attitude toward fashion changed? Nomiya: My preferred style hasn't changed. However, as we age, our bodies change. In my case, my weight doesn't change much, but my body shape inevitably does. This is a natural law, and there's nothing I can do about it. That's why I need to be creative.

To enjoy the fashion I like, it's important to have an objective perspective. Updating your clothing choice, hairstyle, and makeup to suit your age will greatly improve your style and expression. I find inspiration in everyday life, so I carefully observe people passing by on the street and people I meet at parties. I use everyone but myself as a model for their good and bad points. It's also a good idea to get advice from professionals in each field, such as the hairdresser at your favorite salon or the salesperson at your favorite brand. To maintain your figure, simply doing some exercise that you can incorporate into your daily life, such as avoiding escalators, is enough.


--Postscript to the interview

No matter how much the times change, women's desire for beauty remains eternal. Maki Nomiya draws on her own experiences to propose a new kind of beauty. Her red lipstick, "Supple Rouge," created with the cosmetics company MiMC, combines the seemingly contradictory elements of organic and fashion, resulting in a satisfying product for both.

Finally, when I asked her, "What are you planning to do at 7pm tonight?", she replied, "I want to go out to eat something my son likes." It's easy to see why her loved ones—her family—promise that her healthy beauty is supported and inspires her every move.

And, wearing the red lipstick, which speaks to Nomiya's sophisticated aesthetic, made me want to put on high heels and go out for the first time in a while.


[Maki Nomiya Profile]
She debuted in 1981 with "Pink no Kokoro." In the '90s, she joined Pizzicato Five and became an icon of Shibuya-kei culture, garnering passionate popularity in Japan and overseas. With her unique presence and voice, Nomiya is currently active in a wide range of fields, including music, culture, art, and fashion. In 2012, she released the album "30 - Greatest Self Covers & More!!!" to celebrate her 30th anniversary since her debut. Last year, she released the CD "Maki Nomiya Sings Shibuya-kei. ~Miss Maki Nomiya Sings Shibuya-kei Standards~," a live recording of her critically acclaimed Billboard concert, where she sang a number of "Shibuya-kei classics." She is also active as an essayist. Her discerning eye and fashion sense shine through in numerous publications, including "Oshare Techo," "Dress Code Recommendations ~Oshare Techo PART II~," "Tips for Living Stylishly" (East Press), and "Women on the Brink of Elegance Addiction" (INFAS Publications).

- new information -
・New album "The World Needs Love. What the World Needs Now Is Love ~Maki Nomiya Sings Shibuya-kei." ~' is scheduled to be released on November 4th.
・LIVE appearance information
　8/13 WORLD HAPPINESS　9/6 Slow Live'15 Ikegami Honmonji　9/18 Takasaki Music Festival
　Nomiya Maki sings Shibuya-kei -2015-. ~Miss Maki Nomiya sings Shibuya-kei Standards 2015~
　11/13 Billboard Live Osaka　11/19, 11/20 Billboard Live Tokyo


--Read Nomiya Maki's interview from the beginning.