35 Geisha-Inspired Photoshoots

From Choatic Kimono Captures to Shanghai-Inspired Shoots

— June 24, 2012 — Fashion
These glamorous geisha-inspired photoshoots show how the West looks to the East for visual inspiration. Americans and Europeans have been fascinated by the exotic rituals and costumes found in the Far East for centuries.

Geishas are traditional Japanese entertainers who perform artistic talents, such as playing classical music and dancing. To become a geisha, one must first be appointed as a maiko, which is an apprentice to a geisha. They are trained in stage schools where they learn not only how to perform, but also etiquette, makeup and hair styles to meet geisha standards.

Unlike North Americans, Eastern Asian woman prefer a pale complexion and geishas will typically paint their faces to a porcelain white finish. The hairstyle worn by geishas and Japanese woman for ceremonial occasions is called a "shimada." It resembles a tightly coiled chignon wrapped sleekly onto the top of the head. These geisha-inspired photoshoots are filled with oriental motifs and ghostly profiles that will have you swooning over the Far East.
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Contemporary Geisha Beautorials
Contemporary Geisha Beautorials
The Ice Queen Cosmo Girl Indonesia Spread is Fresh Faced
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Vibrant Floral Couture
Vibrant Floral Couture
Amit Ayalon Designs Beautifully Patterned Dresses for Envirosax
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Glamorous Geisha Getups
Glamorous Geisha Getups
The SHC Magazine First Issue Features Sizzling Divas
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Geisha Royalty
Geisha Royalty
'Red Queen' by Leo Guadeluppe Plays With Feminine Power
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Geisha Glam
Geisha Glam
Kylie's New Tour Look
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Theatrical Vintage Fashion
Theatrical Vintage Fashion
The FASH by SWU 2012 Design Scene Exclusive is Asian-Inspired
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Modern-Day Geishas
Modern-Day Geishas
The Vanidad Spain May 2011 Editorial is a Twist on the Traditional
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Geometric Geisha Shoots
Geometric Geisha Shoots
'Dragon Garden' by Hung Ng Blends Avant-Garde With Asian Culture
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Super-Tall Top Knots
Super-Tall Top Knots
Fei Fei Sun Gets An A for 'High Knots Classroom' in Vogue China
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Sideshow Photography
Sideshow Photography
The Alexander Fedorov Ultima Collection Features Carnival Couture
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Choatic Kimono Captures
Choatic Kimono Captures
This Guillaume Nallet 'Urban Legends' Series is Bold and Colorful
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Glam Geisha Ads
Glam Geisha Ads
The Multicultural Jennifer Lopez TOUS Jewelry Campaign for Spring/Summer 2011
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Misty Sunrise Spreads
Misty Sunrise Spreads
The Arman Zhenikeyev 'Morning of Kyoto Girl' Series is Suggestive
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Geisha Mice
Geisha Mice
Mickey Mouse Headdresses by Piers Atkinson
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Geisha-Inspired Makeup Ads
Geisha-Inspired Makeup Ads
The Karlie Kloss Dior Fall/Winter 2010 Campaign is Alluring
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Distorted Doll Faces
Distorted Doll Faces
Vivienne Westwood's Spring Summer 2011 Show has Ghostly Makeup
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Oriental-Themed Ads
Oriental-Themed Ads
The Louis Vuitton Spring 2011 Campaign Travels to the Far East
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Gothic Geisha Editorials
Gothic Geisha Editorials
The Neo Geisha UK Vogue 2011 Shoot Opts for Dark Over Demure
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Controversial Photoshopping
Controversial Photoshopping
Modified Tom Cruise Contest
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Ghostly Geisha Spreads
Ghostly Geisha Spreads
The Danni Li Rouge Magazine Spread is Hauntingly Beautiful
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Ghostly Doll Face Photography
Ghostly Doll Face Photography
The Carsten Witte 'More Beauty' Series Lives Up to its Name
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Futuristic Geishas
Futuristic Geishas
'Techno Orientalism' is an Avant-Garde Photographic Wonderland
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Vibrant Geishas
Vibrant Geishas
The Spray Collection Will Make Your Hair Stand on End
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Contemporary Geisha Captures
Contemporary Geisha Captures
The Patrycja Gardygajlo Glamour Germany Fuses East and West
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Subdued Exotic Photography
Subdued Exotic Photography
The Stefan Giftthaler 'Geisha' Series is Elegantly Nostalgic
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Seductive Geisha Shoots
Seductive Geisha Shoots
Terry Richardson Vogue Paris Editorial Shows Sultry Japanese Culture
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Geisha-Inspired Fashions
Geisha-Inspired Fashions
Armani Privé Couture 2011 Collection Inspired by Japanese Culture
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High Fashion Mimes
High Fashion Mimes
'Imaginarium' by Andrey Yakovlev & Lili Aleeva Features Circus Couture
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Blushing Geisha Photography
Blushing Geisha Photography
Kelly Rihanna by Peter Coulson Features Modern Oriental Style
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Porcelain Geisha Doll Shoots
Porcelain Geisha Doll Shoots
Amato Haute Couture by Tina Patni Features Stunning Gowns
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Mime-Faced Makeup
Mime-Faced Makeup
Lucie Kout Makes Heart-Stopping Art
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Punk Geisha Photography
Punk Geisha Photography
'Cherry Blossom Girl' by Nicoline Patricia Malina is Culturally Glamtastic
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Creepy Geisha Captures
Creepy Geisha Captures
The Tim Walker for W Magazine Editorial is Mysterious and Moody
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