The "VOGUE JAPAN Women of the Year 2015" awards ceremony, which honors women who have made outstanding contributions this year, was held on the 26th at Meguro Gajoen. This year's awards, now in their 11th year, featured the broadest range of women, from 17 to 91 years old, who were selected for their style, lifestyle, and beauty, inspiring other women. The 2015 award recipients were Chitose Abe (designer at Sacai), Fukumi Shimura (dyeing and weaving artist and essayist), Koharu Sugawara (dancer), Kanako Nishi (author), Suzu Hirose (actress), BABYMETAL (metal dance group), Yo Yoshida (actress), and Kaoko Watanabe (competitive swimmer). Maiko Kurokawa (designer at Mame) won the newly established "Rising Star of the Year 2015" award, which recognizes women who will shape the fashion scene of tomorrow. Abe, who appeared at the awards ceremony in a black Sacai Spring/Summer 2016 dress, passionately commented, "This year has been a busy one, with collaborations with Nike and the launch of our brand book. It's certainly been a fulfilling year. Rather than seeking stability, I want to continue to push myself. And I want to keep challenging myself to see new horizons." Koharu Sugawara, a dancer who has made waves for her Barneys New York campaign and collaboration with Stevie Wonder, appeared in a long, white Louis Vuitton dress with sparkling blue embellishments that flattered her height. She said with a joyful expression, "Dance brought me here. I want to continue expressing the strength of women through dance." Suzu Hirose, whose fresh performance in the Cannes Film Festival-exhibited film "Our Little Sister," appeared in a refined Chanel knee-length dress with a flower-motif brooch on the chest, looked pure and elegant. She stated with a straight look in her eyes, "I want to become a wonderful woman who lives up to this award." Also appearing on stage was actress Yo Yoshida, who has made a late-blooming breakthrough this year with six films released, in a black fur-trimmed dress by Proenza Schouler. When asked about the moment this year that made her glad to be a woman, she responded with a comment only an actress could make: "Being able to play the role of a mother. Through the role, I felt love for my child and felt the tingling sensation in my womb." Kurokawa, who was awarded the "Rising Star of the Year 2015" award as a woman who will shape tomorrow's fashion scene, commented, "While the brand is experiencing new opportunities, it also presents new challenges. I want to continue to work hard to create quality products," wearing a blue dress from Mame's Fall/Winter 2015 collection.