Devon Aoki

Devon Edwenna Aoki is an American model and retired actress. Aoki, born on August 10, 1982, has been recognized for her work in various films, such as 2 Rapid 2 Furious , Sin Metropolis , DOA: Deceased or Alive , and Mutant Chronicles .


Aoki entered the world in 1982 in the bustling city of New York. Her formative years unfolded in the picturesque landscapes of Malibu, California, while her academic pursuits led her to The American School in London.


Born to the illustrious union of her father, the former wrestler and Benihana restaurant tycoon Hiroaki Aoki, and her mother, Pamela Hilburger, a distinguished jewelry designer, Aoki boasts a diverse heritage. Her father, hailing from Japan, blended with her mother's German and English roots. Aoki's journey into the world of modeling commenced at the tender age of 13, coinciding with the year her godmother introduced her to the iconic Kate Moss.


In her family tapestry, Aoki is surrounded by an older sister and a younger brother, alongside four half-siblings, including the well-known Steve Aoki. Extending her familial connections in the world of modeling, Aoki proudly assumes the role of aunt to the accomplished model Yumi Nu.


After making her dazzling debut on the runway in 1997, Aoki graced the catwalks for esteemed brands such as Balenciaga, Comme des Garçons, and Chanel. A pivotal moment in her career unfolded in 1998 when, at the age of 16, she stepped into the shoes of Naomi Campbell as the face of Versace. Aoki's modeling journey continued to unfold as she became a prominent figure in advertising campaigns for renowned brands including Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, Kenzo, Hugo Boss, L'Oreal, Lancome, and Tiffany & Co.

Fashion

She left her indelible mark on the runways, walking for distinguished designers such as Versace, Chanel, Oscar de la Renta, Diane von Furstenberg, Jean Paul Gaultier, Celine, Baby Phat, and Marc Jacobs.


Aoki's captivating presence transcended the runway to grace the covers of numerous international fashion magazines, such as US' Ocean Drive, Vegas, Nylon, i-D, Interview, Elle Girl, and UK's Wonderland. She also adorned the covers of Korea's Cosmo Girl, France's Jalouse, Australia's Russh and 10 Magazine, Japan's Voce and Harper's Bazaar, and Malaysia's Her World.


Aoki achieved further acclaim by featuring on the covers of Vogue in various countries, including the United States, Germany, Russia, Japan, and Korea, as well as on Numéro's Tokyo edition.


In a poignant gesture, Aoki collaborated with Singaporean photographer Leslie Kee in 2006 for the charity photo-book Super Stars, dedicated to the victims of the 2004 Asian tsunami disaster. Her creative spirit extended to fashion design, as she crafted a capsule collection named Levi's +D for Levi's Asian market in September 2007.


This multifaceted collection included everything from denim to swimwear, drawing inspiration from vintage pieces that evoke a sense of nostalgia.


Aoki's enduring influence in the fashion industry manifested in her return to the runway for Moschino's 2017 fashion show and her appearances in advertising campaigns for "Sephora x Moschino" and Hugo Boss.


The subsequent year saw her gracing the runway for Jeremy Scott's eponymous brand, starring in an editorial for American Vogue, and featuring in advertising campaigns for Moschino Fragrance, Nordstrom, and Swarovski.


In September 2019, she added another feather to her cap by appearing in Harper's Bazaar's "Bazaar Icons 2019" issue, skillfully captured by the lens of Mario Sorrenti.

Acting

Venturing into the realm of acting, Aoki left an indelible mark with her roles in various films, including 2 Fast 2 Furious, D.E.B.S., Sin City, Dead or Alive, War, Mutant Chronicles, and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Undead. Her diverse filmography showcases her versatility and presence on the big screen.


Aoki was slated to play the role of Tatsu Yamashiro in Arrow season 3 but had to step down from the role due to a scheduling conflict, leading to Rila Fukushima taking on the character.


Despite this change, Aoki's foray into acting continued with brief appearances in documentary films, such as I'll Sleep When I'm Dead and Jeremy Scott: The People's Designer. The former, a documentary centered around her brother Steve, provided a personal touch to her cinematic contributions.


Aoki's impact on the fashion industry is nothing short of iconic, earning her the status of an icon according to models.com. Dominic Cadogan of Dazed, in 2017, dubbed Aoki a cult model" and highlighted her as "one of the most recognizable alternative faces of the 90s.


Cadogan underlined Aoki's meteoric rise in the modeling world, emphasizing that by the age of 16, she was among the most sought-after figures of the moment. Renowned photographers such as Juergen Teller, Ellen von Unwerth, and Nick Knight all contributed to transforming her image into an enduring symbol.


In April 2019, Marie Claire recognized Aoki's influence by listing her among the 15 supermodels of the 2000s who left an indelible mark on the face of fashion. I-D magazine, acknowledging her as "one of those few faces that defined the turn of the millennium," went on to list seven of Aoki's most iconic outfits.


A testament to her enduring influence, in February 2019, Wonderland magazine reported that global music sensation Rihanna drew inspiration from Aoki's look in the action film 2 Fast 2 Furious for her Fenty Beauty campaign. In the film, Aoki's character Suki, clad in a white top and pink jeans, cruises in her custom pink Honda S2000, a distinctive style that resonated across the realms of fashion and pop culture.


Devon Aoki shares her life with James Bailey, and together they are blessed with one son and three daughters. In 2009, Aoki made the decision to step back from full-time film acting to devote her attention to the joys of motherhood, a role she cherishes.


The Aoki family boasts a budding talent, as Aoki's daughter Alessandra made her mark in the fashion world by appearing in Guess Kids' spring 2018 advertising campaign. The legacy of creativity also extends to Aoki's niece, the accomplished model and singer-songwriter Yumi Nu.


Beyond her family life, Aoki continued to engage with the fashion community. She participated in the third annual charity fashion show presented by General Motors on February 24, 2004, showcasing her enduring connection to the industry. Additionally, in March 2018, Aoki, alongside her half-brother Steve, took on the role of co-chairs for the 2018 Red Cross Gala in San Francisco, contributing to charitable endeavors.

Devon Aoki fılms:

1. 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003): Aoki played the role of Suki, a skilled street racer, in this action-packed sequel to "The Fast and the Furious."
2. Sin City (2005): In this neo-noir crime anthology, Aoki portrayed Miho, a deadly and silent assassin, in one of the segments directed by Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller.
3. DOA: Dead or Alive (2006): Aoki took on the character Kasumi in this martial arts action film, based on the popular video game series "Dead or Alive."
4. Mutant Chronicles (2008): Aoki appeared in this science fiction action film, set in a dystopian future, alongside actors such as Thomas Jane and Ron Perlman.
5. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Undead: While the specific details of her role in this film are not provided, it's listed among her film credits.

In addition to her film career, Devon Aoki has also been actively involved in the fashion industry, earning recognition as a model and style icon.

References

1.  Goldstein, Margaret (December 10, 2005). Japanese in America. Lerner Publications. p. 62. ISBN 0822539527. Retrieved September 18, 2017.
2. ^ "The comeback of the year: Devon Aoki models for Jeremy Scott". Vogue Paris. September 9, 2017. Retrieved June 17, 2019.
3. ^ "Devon Aoki's Most Iconic Looks". Madame Blue. Archived from the original on September 9, 2021. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
4. ^ Team, i-D. (February 12, 2014). "devon aoki was born with the face of a goddess!". Retrieved September 5, 2019.