Artist IMA
Nationality: Japanese
Name: Imari Inoue
Date of Birth: January 29th, 1990
Occupation: Make-up artist, contemporary
painter, business owner
After studying art at Osaka City Industrial Arts High School, which has produced some of the top
names in the Japanese art world, including Akutagawa Prize winning writers, entered a make-up
professional training college. After graduating, worked as an illustrator for a cosmetics company
before going freelance as a contemporary painter named IMARIINOUE. After that, opened own
store, "Crossdressing Gentlemen", which is dedicated to transforming men's lives with make-up.
Leading person to bring natural transformation makeup to the world of crossdressing, combining art
and makeup. Provided crossdressing make-up to entertainers and celebrities in Hollywood with
uniquely invented make-up method. Also teaches make-up classes for crossdressers and has
published own work "HALF" in the art world. The work has received competition awards in France,
Thailand, China, and many other countries. Exhibited crossdressing performance at universities,
department stores, and major cosmetic companies, and has won praise from many people. Possess a
blue card from IMATS, an international make-up festival, and a certification from the Japanese
Makeup Certification Board. Appeared in a TV documentary program by NHK (Japanese public
broadcaster) in 2018 (later broadcast on NHK's “WORLD JAPAN”) and continues to expand the
business to various areas of the world, proposing new way of crossdressing through make-up and art.
Currently runs a fashion store and "Crossdressing Gentlemen" with a rental studio by appointment
only. Also working on a book to be published in 2022.
Job History
2009 Joined Rare Direction Inc. as an illustrator
2010 Started up as Modern Artist IMARIINOUE (Business Owner, Modern Artist)
2015 Opened a store “Crossdressing Gentlemen” (Business owner and make-up artist)
2020 Opened a general merchandise store “Furatto” (Business owner, continue running
“Crossdressing Gentlemen”)
Educational background
2005 Graduated from Osaka City Industrial Arts High School
2008 Graduated from Vantan Design Institute (A college specializing in makeup)
Qualifications
- Level 2 of the Japanese Makeup Artistry Certification Test by General Incorporated Association
JMA
http://www.jma-makeup.or.jp/
- International Make-up Artist Trade Show (IMATS) Blue Card
https://imats.net/
Awards
- Silver Prize at PX3, the largest international photography competition in Europe (Paris, France)
https://px3.fr/
- Kanoknuch Sillapawisawakul Award, International Art Fair "UNKNOWN ASIA" (Thai designer)
A design magazine in Thai featured the work of “Crossdressing Gentlemen” with photographs.
https://unknownasia.net/
- Representative of shops in Osaka for “OMOTENASHI NIPPON”, a project to promote Japanese
culture abroad.
The magazine OMOTENASHI NIPPON featured the shop.
https://omotenashinippon.jp/
Exhibitions / Performances / Lectures
Exhibition of Works
2018/4/20~30 China Shenzhen Design Week
Exhibited at "UNKNOWN ASIA Award Exhibition" (Location: Shenzhen, China)
[Lecture & Performance ]
2017/12/3 6th anniversary event of the Asahi Newspaper Women Club.
"What is make-up for?" Talk and demonstration by IMA, owner of make-up store specializing in
crossdressing (Location: Asacom Hall, Osaka Headquarters of Asahi Newspaper)
2018/6/3 Fashion Symposium
"Future of fashion beyond the boundaries of gender" (Location: Yasuda Auditorium, Tokyo
University)
2018/11/17 The 33rd Shoin Fashion Seminar
“What make-up can achieve and exceed. -The world of IMA, the make-up artist for
crossdressing-" (Location: Osaka Shoin University)
http://cheer.osaka-shoin.ac.jp/info/2018/11/33-2.php
2019/1/14 Art Exhibition " Industrial Arts ARTLINKS"
Community festival of design and art (Location: Daimaru Department store, Shinsaibashi, Japan)
https://www.daimaru.co.jp/shinsaibashi/
2018/5/6~12 PIAS GALLERY "galleries 2018 in Nakatsu"
Performance of "Create a woman from a man" (Location: PIAS building)
Makeup for celebrities
Anna Nagasaki: Japanese singer, actress, and Hollywood actress. Famous for her official cosplay as
Hatsune Miku. The representative of “LGB.T”, a general incorporated association. She made her
debut as a Hollywood actress in the movie " Piranha JPN " directed by Roger Corman.
Kiyoshi Nishikawa: One of the most famous comedian, celebrity, and TV program host in Japan.
Former member of the House of Councilors. In 2020, he was selected as the first person of "
Bunkakorosha (Person of Cultural Merits) " from the field of comedy in Japan.
Seiya Suezawa: Japanese idol and actor which is a member of a Jr. unit group called “Ae! Group”
within the famous Japanese idol group agency "Johnny & Associates."
Shunji Kawai: Former professional beach volleyball player representing Japan, and former captain
of the All-Japan Indoor Men's National Team (position: center player). He is currently a TV
presenter/ personality.
Takashi Yoshimoto: Japanese actor. He is a member of the theatrical troupe "Patch" (The 2nd
graduating class) and belongs to Watanabe Entertainment production.
Hachimitsu Tsukitei: Japanese rakugo storyteller and TV personality.
Takeshi Kamijyo: Japanese comedian.
Newspapers, Magazines, Specialized magazines Coverage
2017/4/12 Namba Keizai Newspaper
Title: "Crossdressing Gentlemen," a salon where men can experience women's fashion in Namba"
2017/11 "Gen Syou Gyoukai (contemporary cosmetic business)", a magazine dedicated to
beautifying businesses
Special interview (2 pages) was featured.
2017/4 International art information site "ADB"
"Half", a half-faced crossdressing work of art, was featured.
2018/6/16 Featured in Asahi Newspaper "Challenge!" column, "Men can be beautiful flowers too:
interview of makeup artist IMA”
2019/3/5 Featured in "Ushio Japan", a website for visitors from the Greater China region, operated
by the Asahi Newspaper
2019 Featured in "hap pen ing", a magazine specialized in design, art, and music information in
Thailand
2019/2/22 Featured in "Yahoo! News Japan” Everyone’s economic newspaper
Moved from Namba, targeting those who have never experienced crossdressing/ Osaka
2019/3/12 Featured in "Osaka Nichi-Nichi newspaper, culture page"
Internet Article Coverage
2017/10/14 "Diamond Online"
2017/10/18 "HuffPost (Japanese edition)" Interview (3 articles)
2017/11 "Yahoo!" interview in Top domestic article
2017/11 "Daily Business Yahoo!"
2018/3/13 "My Navi News Entertainment"
Coverage on “crossdressing makeup artist” who provides time for men to become “a woman”
[TV and Radio Program Coverage]
2015/12/25
Yomiuri TV "Peach Cafe"
Program name 【”Crossdressing Men” will be a trend this year】
2017/1/25
TV Osaka "News Real"
Program name 【26 year old entrepreneur】
2017/4/28
MBS radio "Eena!"
2017/5/22, 23, 24
Asahi broadcast ABC "Kiyoshi-Kuroda no Kyou-mo Heh-Hoh-"
2017/6/3
Kansai Television "Uramayo!"
Program content 【Face-off with Ai Haruna!?】
A makeup competition with a transgender celebrity, and won the challenge
2017/4/14
Kansai Television "Ningen Kokuho-san”
Was selected as a “ningen kokuho (living national treasure)”
2017/3/13
NHK (Japan's public broadcaster) "Life Design U-29"’s documentary
Program name “Makeup Artist for crossdressing"
2018/7/19
Kansai Television "Janiben”
Program name 【The rumored stubborn shop owner】
2018/11/10 Yomiuri Television "Asa Para!”
2019/02/03 ※On-aired worldwide
NHK「WORLD JAPAN」From Handsome to Beautiful
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/
2019/04/23
Tokyo radio program “FMOH!”
Book to be published (2022)
Tentative title: “IMA, Makeup artist for crossdressing”
Publisher: Sakurayamasha (https://www.sakurayamasha.com/)