There was no shortage of attractive faces at the Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice premiere—Henry Cavill alone is enough to double any event’s attractiveness quota—but the evening also provided Hollywood with an introduction to one of fashion’s finest: Tao Okamoto, who has been a presence within the modeling industry since the early aughts. Back then, Okamoto debuted with a choppy bowl cut and seemingly irresistible appeal, racking up nearly every modeling milestone a girl can hope for—international Vogue covers; campaigns for labels like Ralph Lauren, Armani, and Michael Kors; a recurrent presence on the catwalk—and she could have easily rested on her laurels, only she didn’t. Starting with 2013’s The Wolverine, Okamoto has reinvented herself as an actress, quickly establishing herself as a star on the rise, garnering roles on the final season of Hannibal and Amazon’s streaming hit The Man in the High Castle, in addition to her recent time spent in the company of no less than Batman and Superman.
With the red carpet as valid a career launchpad as any film, starlets work overtime to make sure their wardrobes are picture-perfect, and coming from a fashion background gives Okamoto, who’s already familiar with influential designers from her runway days, a leg up on her competition. Whether she’s showing up on the Golden Globes red carpet in belly-baring Adeam or sporting printed Etro at a Japanese film premiere, rather than settling on a signature, Okamoto takes on a variety of looks like the runway chameleon she once was. Still, there are a few brands emerging as favorites. Okamoto’s ability to pull off both Michael Kors’s all-American ease and Nicolas Ghesquière’s futuristic looks for Louis Vuitton is part of what made her essential as a model, and now as she steps into the next phase of her career, that versatility is helping her become one of the most interesting style stars around. Frequently spotted in Louis Vuitton as of late, Okamoto may be the next Ghesquière girl—if Kors doesn’t get to her first. Even with the interest of fashion’s big guns, Okamoto isn’t a slave to labels. For her, it’s all about matching the outfit to the moment—like the sequined Tadashi Shoji number she wore to the New York premiere of Batman v Superman that let everyone know she can pull off Hollywood glamour with the best of them. Watch this space.
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