Through Rina Sawayama's alternative take on East Asian beauty standards and philosophical, "glittery cute" R&B sound, the Niigata-born, London-bred musician and model has carved a path of her own with few precedents to look up to. Celebrating her unique take on Eastern-meets-Western culture, in this latest instalment of i-D Meets we put Rina's childhood gaming skills to the test through a round of Final Fantasy and Dance Dance Revolution – and talk about her experiences as an East Asian woman in the entertainment industry and her admirable ambitions for the future.
Director Kate Villevoye
Producer Tom Ivin
Global Executive Producer Eloise King
Director of Photography Tayo Yusuff
Editor Isolde Penwarden
Sound Mix Matt Cheney
Colourist George Dutton
Runner Donal Talbot
Production Manager Lauran Clark
Production Coordinator Rosa Harris Edmonds
Post Production Manager Tom Lynch
Post Production Coordinator Regina Lemaire-Costa
Director of Licensing Cristina Lombardo
Senior Music Supervisor, EMEA Alex Benge
Music Supervisor Bonnie Reilly
Senior Designer Rebecca Boyd-Wallis
Designer Kristina Britton
Production Accountant David Gray
Equipment Manager Richard Smith
Equipment Assistant Henry Cotsford
Post Tech Supervisor Dominic Brouard
Commercial Creative Director Bunny Kinney
Senior VP Production, UK Bree Horn
Production Executive Shelley Hurley
Head of Post Production Daniel Elias
Channel Manager, UK Jordan Joseph
Styling Lauren Anne Groves
Styling Assistant Rochelle Loren
Look 1
Rina wears top and shorts Kenzo. Choker Versus Versace. Trainers Nike.
Earrings and rings Jiwinaia. Headband Joomi Lim.
Look 2
Rina wears jacket, trousers and shoes Acne Studios. Top Fiorucci.
Earrings Gillian Horsup. Rings Jiwinaia.
Look 3
Rina wears skirt and hoodie Ashley Williams. Shoes Kenzo.
Rings Jiwinaia and Gillian Horsup. Earrings Jiwinaia.
Look 4
Rina wears top and trousers Mother of Pearl. Shoes Acne Studios.
Rings Gillian Horsup and Jiwinaia. Earrings Jiwinaia.
Look 5
Rina wears jacket and trousers Natasha Zinko. Trainers Nike.
Earrings Jiwinaia. Rings Gillians Horsup and Jiwinaia.
Make up Artist Kristina Ralph Andrews
Hair Stylist Takuya Morimoto using L'Oréal Professional
Music
"Alterlife"
Written by Rina Sawayama, Ash Carvell, Justin Tailor, Adam Crisp
Performed by Rina Sawayama
"Tunnel Vision"
Written by Rina Sawayama and Justin Tailor
Performed by Rina Sawayama
"Cyber Stockholm Syndrome"
Written by Rina Sawayama, Justin Tailor, Adam Crisp, Hatty Carman
Performed by Rina Sawayama
Jingle Punks
Photos Courtesy of Rina Sawayama, The Avenue, Ava Powchik
Archival Video Courtesy of Square Enix Co. Ltd, Ali Kurr
Final Fantasy IX © Square Enix Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Special Thanks
Haider Masroor, Toby Na Nakhorn at Las Vegas Arcade
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