──The highlight of this pop-up at Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building will be travel items. Luggage made in your own workshop in Florence, smartwatches, and more will be on display. What are your impressions after seeing and touching them?

"First of all, I didn't know they were made in their own workshop. The backpack has high-quality leather. Also, the design makes it easy to open and close, so I think I could adjust my luggage at the airport without any stress. I was drawn to the trolley's industrial design, which appeals to a man's sensibilities. And the wheels are really smooth, which is another plus. It would also go well with a suit."



—This smartwatch works in conjunction with a jet lag-relieving app developed by NASA. It also includes a navigation system and translation software, making it a feature-packed device.

"It's the kind of watch you'd see in a spy movie you'd dream of as a kid (laughs). The chronograph-like dial is cool too. Both the trolley and the watch seem like they'd be worth nurturing over time, becoming truly your own."



--You mentioned Hong Kong earlier, and I understand you've worked as a model in Singapore and Hong Kong.

"I was still a newcomer, around 20 years old. I didn't have many modeling jobs, and I wondered what to do with all this free time. I couldn't speak English, and I had no knowledge of Singapore or Hong Kong, but I took the leap. Looking back now, I think I was also anxious. I was signed to an agency there, and the experience I had there was incredibly valuable. It was an experience that changed my perspective on life."

—It's a common story in the industry that many up-and-coming models go abroad to hone their skills and come back having grown significantly.

"In my case, there were hardly any other Japanese people around. Being surrounded by locals gave me a great opportunity to reflect on myself. When I'm in Japan, I rarely think of myself as Japanese, but being abroad gave me time to ask myself what my identity is. Looking back now, I feel like I had a really good time."


—Considering that, I'm really looking forward to visiting Hong Kong again in April.

"Back then, I was a really poor student; I had no job and no money. I have fond memories of filling my stomach with the cheapest food I could find at a street stall. It's been almost 20 years since then, and I'm looking forward to seeing how Hong Kong looks now."

—Ms. Sakurai, you seem to have been at the forefront of the highly competitive world of modeling for a long time. If you were to compare your life to a "journey," have you already decided on your final destination?

"When I was a child, I wanted to be a whale, so maybe a whale (laughs). Joking aside, I actually try not to think too far ahead. I've always just focused on what was in front of me. I think I've been blessed with luck and good relationships with people. Always giving my all to what's in front of me. Even now, I have the attitude of 'I'll do anything.' My ideal might be to suddenly realize, as I get older, that I've grown as big as a whale (laughs)."

Photo: Tatsuya Ozawa
Text: Ryuta Morishita

MONTBLANC Pop-up Store □ April 24th (Wed) - May 28th (Tue)
□ Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building B1F = Luggage
▶Click here for more information about the event

inquiry
Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building B1F = Luggage
03-3352-1111 (main representative)