Since 2000, Los Angeles’ kimono enthusiasts gather in Little Tokyo on January 1 every year to promote kimono in Los Angeles. LA Kimono Club, a name of this group now officially called, held the Third Miss Kimono LA Contest on Jan 1, 2012 at a plaza of Weller Court shopping center in Little Tokyo, Downtown Los Angeles, in conjunction with Oshogatsu (New Year Celebration) in Little Tokyo event sponsored by the Japanese Chamber of Commerce in Southern California.
In this year, 11 contestants wearing furisode kimono appeared in Little Tokyo.
Miss Mina Matsumoto, international business major student of Pepperdine University, was selected as 2012 Miss Kimono LA. The 1st Runner Up was Miss Kristine Nana Kamimura, UC Berkeley student.
2012 Miss Kimono LA and the 1st Runner Up represent the LA Kimono Club at various events in 2012.
www.lakimonoclub.com/eMain.htm
Members of LA Kimono Club and contestants of 2012 Miss Kimono LA Contest gather at Little Tokyo, Jan 1 (Cultural News Photo)
Miss Mina Matsumoto as 2012 Miss Kimono LA (right), Keizo Suio, preident of LA Kimono Club, and Miss Kristine Nana Kamimura as the 1st runner up. (Photo by Kumiko Yanai, a member of LA Kimono Club)
