GAKUSEI RUNWAY 2024 AUTUMN & WINTER

2025.02.13

The event "GAKUSEI RUNWAY 2024 AUTUMN & WINTER", produced by "Kansai Collection", was held at Namba Hatch in Osaka on December 28, 2024.
We spoke with Takahashi Kano and Shiomi Kira, the grand prize winners and ambassadors of the previous GAKUSEI RUNWAY 2024 SPRING & SUMMER.

◇Elementary School Lower Grade Grand Prix Winner Keina

Q1 What motivated you to take on the challenge?
My friend invited me to go out with him.

Q2 How did you feel when you won the Grand Prix and walked down the runway?
I practiced walking and posing a lot at home. I didn't think I would win the grand prize, so I was surprised and very happy when I was selected.

Q3 How did you feel when you performed at KANSAI COLLECTION 2024 AUTUMN & WINTER?
The student runway stage was huge, and the number of people there was completely different. It was fun to be able to walk down the runway with so many people watching.

Q4: Future dreams and goals
I want to be a model, and I also want to be a veterinarian. I don't have a dog because I can't afford it, but I love dogs, so I want to be a veterinarian.

Q5: A message to fellow students and juniors aiming to join the student runway
If you work hard, you'll succeed! We're rooting for you!

◇Elementary school upper grades grand prize winner Hann-chan

Q1 What motivated you to take on this challenge?
I applied because I heard that my favorite YouTuber, Four Eight 48, would be appearing and I wanted to walk the student runway stage with them.

Q2 How did you feel when you won the Grand Prix and walked down the runway?
I was so happy I can't put it into words. I practiced a lot to control my facial expressions so that I could walk the runway after winning the grand prize. When I actually walked the runway, so many people in the audience waved at me, it was really fun.

Q3 How did you feel when you appeared in KANSAI COLLECTION 2024 AUTUMN & WINTER?
I was a little nervous, but since so many people were watching, the fun outweighed the nervousness. There were more people waving at me than usual, so it was even more fun. I'd like to perform again.

Q4: Future dreams and goals
Like my idol, Ayami Nakajo, I would like to become a model who can be active both in Japan and around the world, and in the future I would like to appear in Paris Fashion Week.

Q5: A message to fellow students and juniors aspiring to join the student runway team
It's definitely going to be fun to perform on the student runway, so I encourage everyone to apply!

◇Junior High School Grand Prix: Kuroda Chino

Q1 What motivated you to take on the challenge?
I applied because I thought the student runway would be a chance to perform on the Kansai Collection stage.

Q2 How did you feel when you won the Grand Prix and walked down the runway?
I was so surprised and happy that I couldn't tell if it was a dream or reality.

Q3 How did you feel when you performed at KANSAI COLLECTION 2024 AUTUMN & WINTER?
Before I went on stage, my heart was pounding, but once I was on stage, all the nervousness went away and I felt so happy and happy that I can't put it into words.

Q4: Future dreams and goals
I want to be someone who is invited to Kansai Collection. I also want to become a well-known model or actress like Kanna Hashimoto and appear in commercials.

Q5: A message to fellow students and juniors aiming to join the student runway
Walk down the runway with the determination to never give up until the very end, and never forget to be grateful to those who support you.

◇High School Student Grand Prix: Momoka Okumura

Q1 What motivated you to take on this challenge?
Originally, I had wanted to perform on a big stage like the Kansai Collection, and then my mother introduced me to the student runway, which prompted me to give it a try.

Q2 How does it feel to win the Grand Prix?
I entered the competition with the intention of winning the grand prize, so I was very happy when I won.
I felt so grateful to my family and friends who have supported me up to this point! The runway was dazzling, but it was also a lot of fun.

Q3 How did you feel when you performed at KANSAI COLLECTION 2024 AUTUMN & WINTER?
It's not often that I get to see myself in front of a large group of people, so it was a lot of fun. It made me want to walk down a brightly lit runway again.

Q4: Future dreams and goals
I would like to become a cheerful model with a lovely smile so that I can be invited to the Kansai Collection again.

Q5: A message to fellow students and juniors aspiring to join the student runway team
Through Student Runway, you have gained confidence in yourself and gained a variety of experiences, so don't give up until the end!

◇University/Vocational School Student Grand Prix: Hiyori Kinoshita

Q1 What motivated you to take on the challenge?
When I went to see the Kansai Collection a year ago, I thought to myself, "I want to stand on that stage too!" and applied that very day.

Q2 How did you feel when you won the Grand Prix and walked down the runway?
I wasn't able to win the Grand Prix the first time I participated, so the second time I participated I aimed to win the Grand Prix, and I felt like "It's finally here!"

Q3 How did you feel when you performed at KANSAI COLLECTION 2024 AUTUMN & WINTER?
The view from the stage was a sparkling world that far exceeded my imagination, and it was a lot of fun.

Q4: Future dreams and goals
I was happy to appear in KANSAI COLLECTION 2024 AUTUMN & WINTER in a school uniform, but next time I would like to appear in a costume as a model.

Q5: A message to fellow students and juniors aiming to join the student runway
Believing in myself and taking action a year ago changed my life. I want to create a student runway stage full of dreams with all of you.

◇Legend COCOA

Q1 What motivated you to take on this challenge?
It all started when a close friend asked me to join in. After seeing the student runway show, I became even more determined to take part.

Q2 How did you feel when you won the Grand Prix and walked down the runway?
First of all, I was filled with gratitude to my family and friends who supported me. I was also so happy that words and numbers can't express it. I was nervous before walking down the runway, but when I found a friend who had made a fan to show my support, I was able to walk with peace of mind.

Q3 How did you feel when you performed at KANSAI COLLECTION 2024 AUTUMN & WINTER?
I was happy to be able to appear in the Kansai Collection, which was one of my dreams. I think I was able to walk the runway with my whole being and full of fun, while thinking of people I admire.

Q4: Future dreams and goals
I want to work hard to become a model that everyone knows and is invited to Kansai Collection.

Q5: A message to fellow students and juniors aspiring to join the student runway team
You may feel anxious because it's your first time, but be brave and take the first step!

◇Ambassadors: Kano Takahashi / Kira Shiomi

◇Ambassador Kano Takahashi

This was the first time we walked the runway together at the GAKUSEI RUNWAY 2024 AUTUMN & WINTER. I was very nervous at first, but having Kira-chan by my side made me feel very reassured.
It was the first time I'd ever worn a blazer, even back when I was a student, and it reminded me of when I used to break the uniform rules a little (laughs). It was really fun to relive those youthful days.
I think there will be many students participating in this runway show who want to make their dreams come true.
There will undoubtedly be setbacks along the way to achieving your dreams. However, if you don't give up and keep trying, your dreams will come true in some way. I myself have been close to giving up at times, but I was greatly inspired by the people around me who were aiming for high goals. I also had a family that supported me and had high expectations of me, so I had a strong desire to repay them! I wanted to live up to their expectations! That's what allowed me to keep working hard until now.
Students, please be patient and keep trying without giving up. We are rooting for you!

◇Ambassador Shiomi Kira

I have almost no experience on the runway, and this was only my second time, but the audience was packed and it was a really fun stage. Kano-chan, who is a senior at the agency and a senior model, was next to me, and I was happy that we were able to walk hand in hand.
When I was a student, I had no confidence in myself, and I would compare myself to other people and idols of my generation, which made me withdraw into myself. But one comment from the idols on the screen, "Actually, this is what I used to be like," gave me the motivation to take a step forward.
If there are any students watching this who are thinking, "I'm no good," then as someone who has auditioned, I want to tell them that if they just break out of their shell a little and take a step forward, it will lead to their dreams. Do your best. I'm rooting for you!

Interviewed by Student Newspaper Online on December 28, 2024, by Yurie Watanabe, a first-year student at Josai International University and Ryusei Nishiyama, a fourth-year student at Musashino University