HOW does one react in the face of adversity? In the case of Japanese supermodel Tao Okamoto, she was inspired to take action after the horrific earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan in March.

According to Okamoto, 24, she was in Tokyo with her family when the quake struck. The disaster still fresh in her mind, Okamoto spoke to press members just hours before taking to the runway for Missoni Winter 2011 at the Audi Fashion Festival (AFF) in Singapore last month. She mentioned how terrible it was to watch the happenings on television, and she felt compelled to do something.

Okamoto, who is 176.5cm tall, works for various modelling agencies in different cities. In her home base of New York, she is attached to the famous Ford Models agency.

Clasped hands: Tao Okamoto in the Calm In The Chaos series of photographs by Russell James. Her involvement was her way of helping to make a difference in the lives of tsunami and earthquake victims in her homeland.

Doing her part

On March 11, Okamoto composed a letter on the modelling agency's blog: "We are used to having earthquakes but I never felt I could die from that. We couldn't believe what was happening in (a) city not so far from us. 6,900 people died and (sic) still missing a million people.

"And then the nuclear power problem; we are still in fear."

She continued: "I come back (sic) to New York for work obligation(s) but I was so sorry for leaving there (sic). But I am now safe in my New York home. And what I realised was, here so many people from all over the world are worrying about us (and) feeling sorry for us. And that made me encouraged (sic). I am searching for ideas (of) what I can do from here in New York. I want to tell Japan that a lot of people in the world are encouraging us and helping us. We are not alone."

As she rightly reminded us: "It will be a long recovery after the TV cameras and world reporters leave and I want to continue the help (sic)."

The first thing that Okamoto did to help was team up with London-based photographer John-Paul Pietrus. They signed prints of their previous work together with Numero China magazine which were sold at £88 (RM432) per print; proceeds go to the Japanese Red Cross relief fund.

Before heading to the Lion City, Okamoto was involved in a photo shoot under the auspices of renowned designer Donna Karan to commission art-photography images exclusively for AFF Singapore.

The series of original first-edition photographs called Calm In The Chaos were shown during the AFF and were offered for silent auction during the festival. All proceeds were channelled towards Japanese relief efforts via Singapore NGO Mercy Relief.

(From left) Okamoto, British model Naomi Campbell, Vogue Italia editor-in-chief Franca Sozzani, Red Cross head of campaigns Zach Abraham, and model Philip Huang at a photocall for Fashion For Relief Japan Appeal 2011 at the 64th Cannes Film Festival on May 15.

The photoshoot was done by renowned photographer Russell James, of Victoria's Secret and America's Next Top Model fame.

"The recent images and the direct accounts from Japan have been heartbreaking. It is an honour to be able to partner with such a great country at this particular time," said James in a press release.

He added that Okamoto was amazing to work with even though she had to pose nude in some shots. Initially, the shoot was scheduled to be held in Haiti where Karan was doing charitable work but to accommodate Okamoto's busy schedule, James had to fly to New York to shoot the photographs.

"As an Asian, it is normally against Asian sensibilities to show off so much flesh," said Okamoto in halting English. "But it was tastefully done and everything was discreetly covered. I have worked in similar conditions before for a previous shoot and I'm a professional."

After AFF, Okamoto flew to Cannes, France. On May 15, she appeared at a photocall for Fashion For Relief Japan Appeal 2011 during the 64th Cannes Film Festival with editor-in-chief of Vogue Italia Franca Sozzani and models Naomi Campbell and Philip Huang. The event was organised by Campbell during the film festival to raise funds for victims of Japan's earthquake and tsunami.

Continuing her fund-raising mission, Okamoto posted again on the Ford Models blog on a new effort. In collaboration with Save Japan!, Okamoto hosted a benefit bazaar with a handful of Japanese professionals late last month.

It was no ordinary bazaar as items sold were previously owned by fashion industry insiders, including models.

How she started

At the press conference during AFF, Okamoto - who has a decade of modelling experience behind her - candidly described herself as a senior in the industry. Asked how she began her career as a clotheshorse, Okamoto recalled: "I was 14 and walking on the streets of Tokyo when someone spotted me and asked if I wanted to work on a TV show. I spoke to my parents about it and they said OK but preferred that I work as a model and not as an actress."

Soon she was getting a steady stream of bookings in Japan and then elsewhere, too. Signed to Elite in 2006, she made her catwalk debut outside of Japan in October the same year; she walked the runway for Ungaro and Martin Grant at Paris Fashion Week. Then came New York Fashion Week the following year when she modelled for Marc Jacobs and posed for Glamour magazine.

Before you can say "Strike a pose", she went on to model for other major magazines. Okamoto has been featured in almost all of the various editions of Vogue; the Japanese edition even dedicated an entire issue to her. Okamoto was also the face of major advertising campaigns, including Zac Posen, Ralph Lauren, Marc Jacobs, Vera Wang and Philip Lim. In 2009, she was the face of Ralph Lauren.

Inspired by Okamoto's signature bowl haircut, Lim made her his muse. He even got the other models to wear similar wigs for his show.

Throughout her career, Okamoto has been photographed by big names such as Russell James, Mario Testino, Steven Meisel, Peter Lindbergh and Terry Richardson.

With her glowing skin, lanky legs and elegant walk, it's no wonder that Okamoto is in such demand (she is ranked amongst the Top 50 models).

So what are her beauty secrets?

"Nothing really," quipped Okamoto. "I just drink lots of water, eat seaweed and have small healthy meals. And you need to get a good night's sleep."

Despite being a model, she does not follow seasonal fashion trends. "I just pick what looks comfortable and nice on me. I want something that will last me for years."

When she first ventured to New York, Okamoto admitted that she was worried about the acceptance of Asian models, though the likes of fellow Japanese Ai Tominaga and a slew of Chinese models had paved the way.

"Someone in New York told me, don't see yourself as Asian or Japanese; just see yourself as a model. When you don't define yourself by your nationality, they won't define you. So I focused on that and it seemed to have worked."

-The Star/Asia News Network