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Miss Kimono LA Contest to be held at Little Tokyo, Jan 1

Miss Kimono LA Contest 2010 winner Yoshie Okada (Photo by Nobuyuki Okada)

The LA Kimono Club looks forward to conducting the 2011 "Miss Kimono LA" Contest on New Years Day, January 1, 2011, in Little Tokyo, Downtown Los Angeles as a part of "Oshogatsu in Little Tokyo" event.

The contest consists of wearing kimono and walking past the panel of judges. Many contestants may choose to dress in Furisode (long sleeved) kimono. There are no restrictions as to the types of kimono worn, but traditional styles earn more points.

The panel of traditional Japanese kimono experts will select the winners.
Contestants will walk solo across the stage area to stand before the panel of judges, make a full turn, strike any pose, move again in front of the judges, then make a final full turn. They will then proceed to the side of the stage area.

Judges will rate the contestants in three areas:

Traditional (More points for wearing traditional kimono)
Kimono walking manners (graceful and correct walking etiquette)
Overall beauty in Kimono style

The eligibility is an unmarried woman 18 years of age or over who loves to wear kimono.

On New Years Day, the pageant will begin at 11:30 am on Onizuka Street near Second Street, in front of the LA Kimono Club booth.

Miss Kimono LA Contest 2010 Judges (Photo by Nobuyuki Okada)

The winners will be announced at 1:00 p.m. in Noguchi Plaza in front of the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center, 244 South San Pedro Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012.

Later, the winners will be presented on the stage in Weller Court in conjunction with the Kimono Fashion show during the "Oshogatsu in Little Tokyo" celebration.

This year two prizes will be awarded. The winner of 2011 Miss Kimono L.A will receive a Kyoei Treasures Award of $200 in cash (sponsored by Kyoei Treasures), plus a testimonial plaque made by a Shodo master,and 3 years of membership in the LA Kimono Club.

The 1st Runner-Up will receive a Kyoei Treasures Award of $100 in cash (sponsored by Kyoei Treasures) plus a testimonial plaque made by a Shodo master and 3 years of membership in the LA Kimono Club.

Both winners will participate as Kimono Ambassadors throughout the year at cultural events such as the "Cherry Blossom Festival in LA," the "Cherry Blossom Festival in Monterey Park" the "Nisei Week Festival Parade," and various LA Kimono Club events.

They will also be present at the awards ceremony for the 2012 Miss Kimono Contest LA winners.
The contestant registration will be made at the website www.lakimonoclub.com/Misskimono2011.htm The registration fee is $10 per contestant.

The deadline of pre-registration is now extended to December 28.

For more information, go to the website www.lakimonoclub.com/Misskimono2011.htm or call the LA Kimono Club at (818) 703-0208.