The USC Leonard Davis School hosted a kimono fashion show from the Yamano Beauty College in Japan that celebrated the over-decade-long partnership between the two schools and the symbolism that the Japanese kimono represents across the lifespan. The event was held at the Los Angeles Museum of Science and capped off the 2024 Geroscience Los Angeles Meeting. Guests were treated to a parade of traditional kimonos worn by models of all ages, including Yamano students from Japan and Los Angeles area community members.
USC Leonard Davis School Dean Pinchas Cohen walked the runway in a traditional montsuki, a men’s kimono worn for weddings, coming-of-age ceremonies and other formal occasions. He also opened the festivities by welcoming guests and paying tribute to Mike Yamano, the former president and chairman of the Yamano Beauty College and USC Leonard Davis School Board of Councilors member who passed away in 2021. Yamano initiated an educational collaboration with the USC Leonard Davis School which has provided over 7000 Yamano College students a broad introduction to the health, social, and economic aspects of aging through a USC Leonard Davis School-designed curriculum.
“Thanks to Mike Yamano’s vision, we now have a model for bringing gerontology awareness and education to service providers who are increasingly working with older adults,” said Cohen. “We also have a multi-generational partnership with the Yamano family that I hope will continue far into the future.”
Jane Aiko Yamano, Mike’s daughter and president of Yamano Schools, provided commentary about the symbolism, art, and social significance of the different kimono styles that are worn throughout the different stages of life in Japan. Yamano noted that the Japan has the highest aging population in the world and continues to embrace cultural traditions.
In a tribute to the legacy of the Yamano family, the show featured kimonos with fabric designed by Jane’s daughter Mia as well as the “Yamano Bridal Quick Change”, which cuts hours off the time it would take a bride to transition from a traditional kimono to contemporary one and finally to a Western-style wedding dress. The time-saving technique was designed by Jane’s grandmother Aiko Yamano who, along with her husband, founded the Yamano Beaty College in 1934.
“We are very honored and happy to be here this evening and we are so excited to be able to show you the lifespan through kimono presentation, said Jane. “We have had the pleasure of being a part of Leonard Davis School of Gerontology for over 10 years and Mia’s grandfather would be so proud to have seen us both standing here with you today.’
