Akira and Takeru coming to FAM16!

This coming Funan Anime Matsuri is most likely going to be the last in a long while. But it sure looks as if it’s going out with a very big bang, featuring more content than some of the local conventions.

And only recently confirmed, JRunway, the premier Japanese fashion retailer will be inviting two of the most prominent fashion icon from Japan.

They are AKIRA, the singer-songwriter-model-actress-designer; Modeling for the fashion magazine Kera, she specialised in Visual kei fashion; She also performs in Plays and Act, notably as in Vampire Knight musical in Japan as one of the main leads, Kaname Kuran. Did you know, she is also the one that performed the ending theme song for Kuroshitsuji II, Aoki Tsuki Michite.

In fact, she is kind enough to drop us a message,

AKIRA as Kaname Kuran in Vampire Knight Musical
Photo credit: http://natalie.mu/comic/news/129433
© Matsuri Hino/Hakusensha

Music video by AKIRA performing Aoki Tsuki Michite. (C) 2014 SME Records

And

*SCREAMS* Takeru!!!, the vocalist of Visual Kei group SuG, as well as the designer of the Million $ Orchestra brand of fashion clothing and accessories!

Photo credit: Million $ orchestra

SuG「桜雨」- Major 1st Mini Album「VIRGIN」2016.3.9 Release!
http://www.sug-web.jp/

Both of them will be making an appearance at FAM16 for a series of activities, including a media conference and a series of Meet and Greets!

AKIRA

If you had met Akira on the streets without knowing who she is, you would probably be wondering whether Akira is a pretty boy or a handsome girl.

The singer-songwriter-model-actress-designer, known as Akira, was born on February 15 in Chiba, Japan, and is 168cm tall.

Akira rocks the androgynous look with her visual kei and punk style. That was what got her noticed by Kera, a Japanese street fashion magazine that focuses on Gothic, Lolita, Punk, and Visual Kei fashion. She revealed that she was asked to model for Kera after she was featured in a street snap shot, and made her debut in their magazine in 2008.

Visual kei is a popular subculture in Japan, described to be a music and fashion movement. Visual kei fashion involves heavy make-up, elaborate hair styles, and flamboyant, punk rock clothes. Visual kei’s music genres are usually classified under glam rock, punk rock, and heavy metal.

Her usual look includes heavily lined eyes with smokey eye make-up, and short, layered hair that is long at the nape. According to an interview she had with TokyoRebel, her personal outfits are inspired by whatever anime she is into at that point.

Akira’s creativity doesn’t stop at songwriting. She is the designer for her own androgynous “boy-style” brand, Malus14 that has a gothic vibe. Many of Malus14 designs feature an apple with skull-like eyes and nose and a zip for lips. The designs are also mostly unisex.

When she’s not modelling for Kera, designing new clothes, or making new songs with her band, Akira acts in plays and musicals. She has performed in a Vampire Knight musical in Japan as one of the main leads, Kaname Kuran. Akira also sang Aoki Tsuki Michite, the ending theme song for Kuroshitsuji II, also known as Black Butler II.

Takeru

Let this pretty boy charm you with his voice and looks, but don’t be fooled. He’s more than just a pretty face with a good voice. Takeru is the brain behind many of the songs and concepts of popular visual kei band, SuG, and even designs his own clothing line.

The singer-songwriter-designer-model, SuG’s Takeru was born on May 11 in Japan and is 164cm tall.

Takeru sports many different types of short to medium length hair styles, usually dyed in a light shade, and has his eyebrows dyed to match his hair. Just like many other visual kei artists, he rocks the guyliner .

Visual kei is a popular subculture in Japan, described to be a music and fashion movement. Visual kei fashion involves heavy make-up, elaborate hair styles, and flamboyant, punk rock clothes. Visual kei’s music genres are usually classified under glam rock, punk rock, and heavy metal. .

Besides his writing and singing songs for his visual kei band, Takeru also designs his own line of gothic street fashion, Million $ Orchestra. The brand produces both men and women fashion as well as fashion accessories. Just like true gothic fashion, many of Million $ Orchestra clothes are in black and white.

Million $ Orchestra started in 2010, and has released 8 collections since then, the latest collection being “Virgin”. Unsurprisingly, the brand’s collections have similar names to SuG’s songs and albums..

During an interview, Takeru revealed that he started the brand as a way of expressing himself along with his music. Takeru mentioned that he gets his inspiration from manga, movies, and such. He also revealed some of his personal favourite fashion brands that include MalkoMalka, Galaxxxy, and New Era.

Million $ Orchestra has been very popular in Japan, particularly with the Harajuku crowd, likely due to their unique fashion pieces and the bold style. The brand has even had a pop-up store in Los Angeles.

Where you can meet them,

Press conference:

Media and the public are welcomed to come see what JRunway has to offer + interview the artistes, AKIRA and Takeru.

Date: Friday, 10 June,
Time: 5pm
Location: Funan DigitaLife Mall, Level 1 atrium, Main Stage.

Meet-and-Greet!

Spend S$80 and above at JRunway from 27 May – 11 June to redeem a meet-and-greet ticket to see Takeru and AKIRA. The meet and greet ticket entitles you to a handshake and a polaroid photo with Takeru and AKIRA at the JRunway booth.

You must show purchase proof at JRunway’s booth.

Date: Saturday, 11 June,
Time: 13:30-14:00, 14:30-15:00, and 15:30- 16:00
Location: Funan DigitaLife Mall, Level 1 atrium, JRunway Booth.