Tao Okamoto

Tao (born Tao Okamoto in Chiba, Japan on May 22, 1985) is a Japanese model and actress, who was the face of Ralph Lauren. In 2013, her debut in the film world, starring as the female lead Mariko Yashida opposite Hugh Jackman in The Wolverine. --- Tao started modeling as a teenager in Japan, when she was 14 years old. In 2006, she made a decision to move to Paris and develop her career on an international level. Soon after that, Tao made her debut on the European runways, breaking barriers as one of the very few prominent East Asian models of that era. Through her long catwalk career, she has walked for numerous top brands, including Alexander Wang,Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, Louis Vuitton, Michael Kors, Miu Miu, Ralph Lauren, and Yves Saint Laurent. In 2009, Tao moved to New York City and made waves in the industry by donning a unique bowl haircut. It became an inspirational look and even prompted designer Phillip Lim to model the hairstyle of his entire Fall/Winter 2009 show’s cast after Tao’s cut. Tao’s outstanding runway presence often led her towards lucrative advertising and editorial projects. As a result, she has fronted campaigns such as D&G with Mario Testino, Emporio Armani by Alasdair McLellan, Kenzo with Mario Sorrenti, and Tommy Hilfiger with Craig McDean. Editorially, she has shot for i-D Magazine, V Magazine, W Magazine, and various international editions of Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue. The November 2009 issue of Vogue Nippon (Japanese Vogue) is dedicated to Tao, with her featured exclusively inside as well as on the cover – the first Japanese model to do so in nearly a decade. Tao is widely recognized as one of the top models to ever come from Japan, having won honors such as “Model of the Year” from the Japan Fashion Editor’s Club and being dubbed as one of Vogue Nippon’s “Women of the Year” in 2010. She continues to develop her career in arenas both within and beyond fashion. In 2013, Tao is set to make her debut in the film world, starring as the female lead Mariko Yashida opposite Hugh Jackman in 20th Century Fox’s The Wolverine (Also known in Asia as Wolverine: Samurai).