TAIRA
Taira (he/she/they) is a Japanese-born fashion model, talent and writer based in London. Informed by their own experiences as a transnational individual navigating different cultural and social contexts, their practice explores themes within culture and identity politics; unpicking the complex intersections between ideologies, gender, performativity, and embodiment.
Drawing on their background of being both the ‘object’ and ‘subject’ of the fashion industry, Taira brings a unique perspective.
Their work reflects a nuanced understanding of the ways in which fashion can be used to perform and subvert social and cultural discourses, ultimately how this performativity can impact the lived experiences of individuals. The fashion industry can simultaneously reinforce and challenge hegemonic cultural and aesthetic norms, and so they seeks to use their platform to stimulate dialogues to push the boundaries of what creativity can be/do to generate more inclusive and equitable space for all.
Taira writes a column for Vogue Japan, in which they address a topic around current socio-political affairs.
With much of fashion still beholden to categories of gender, size, or nationality, entering the modelling industry provided its own education on identity. “There have been moments that have challenged me to reflect on how I identify myself,” says Taira. “It’s also a good opportunity because it also allows you to look at how our culture works, our relationships with garments and fashion.