![Empress Masako of Japan's Style Through the Years [PHOTOS]](https://martav.shop/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/empress-japan.jpg?w=1000&h=563&crop=1)
Masako Owada became the Crown Princess of Japan after marrying Crown Prince Naruhito in 1993. In May 2019, after Naruhito’s father, Emperor Emeritus Akihito, abdicated the throne, she became Empress of Japan.
Masako is known for wearing classic silhouettes and embracing traditional Japanese elements with modern Western fashion. Her wardrobe reflects her international background and education — in her teenage years, Masako lived in Moscow and Massachusetts. She often opts for elegant suits, dresses and coats in classic silhouettes and muted colors, which align with the conservative dress code of the Japanese imperial family.
Here, WWD takes a closer look at Empress Masako’s style through the years.
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Empress Masako of Japan, 1993
Image Credit: Getty Images In this handout photo from the Imperial Household Agency, Naruhito (2nd from L) and Masako (2nd from R) pose in traditional Japenese cstume prior to their wedding at the Imperial Palace on June 9, 1993, in Tokyo.
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Empress Masako of Japan, 1993
Image Credit: Getty Images In this handout photo from the Imperial Household Agency, Naruhito (2nd from L) and Masako (2nd from R) pose with Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko after their wedding at the Imperial Palace on June 9, 1993, in Tokyo.
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Empress Masako of Japan, 2001
Image Credit: Getty Images Then-Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako enjoyed a bike ride in this undated file photograph. The couple were expecting their first child.
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Empress Masako of Japan, 2001
Image Credit: Getty Images Naruhito and wife Masako wave June 2, 2001, as they leave Nasu, Japan in Tochigi Prefecture, north of Tokyo.
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Empress Masako of Japan, 2007
Image Credit: Getty Images Naruhito (L) and Masako (R) see off Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko as they depart for Europe at Tokyo International Airport on May 21, 2007, in Tokyo.
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Empress Masako of Japan, 2006
Image Credit: Getty Images Naruhito and Masako with their daughter, Princess Aiko, pose for photographers during a photo call at the Dutch Royal Palace on Aug. 18, 2006, in Apeldoorn, Netherlands.
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Empress Masako of Japan, 2009
Image Credit: Getty Images Masako (L) and Naruhito (R) see off Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko departing for Canada at Tokyo International Airport on July 3, 2009, in Tokyo, Japan.
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Empress Masako of Japan, 2013
Image Credit: Getty Images Naruhito and Masako leave following the inauguration ceremony for HM King Willem Alexander of the Netherlands at New Church on April 30, 2013, in Amsterdam.
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Empress Masako of Japan, 2014
Image Credit: Getty Images Masako waves to well-wishers during celebrations for the New Year on the veranda of the Imperial Palace on Jan. 2, 2014, in Tokyo.
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Empress Masako of Japan, 2019
Image Credit: Getty Images Emperor Naruhito addresses as Empress Masako looks on from the balcony of the Imperial Palace on May 04, 2019, in Tokyo, Japan.
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Empress Masako of Japan, 2019
Image Credit: Getty Images Empress Masako leaves the ceremony hall after Emperor Naruhito proclaimed his enthronement at the Imperial Palace on Oct. 22, 2019, in Tokyo. Naruhito ascended the throne on May 1, 2019, after his father, Emperor Emeritus Akihito, abdicated on 30 April 2019.
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Empress Masako of Japan, 2023
Image Credit: Getty Images Emperor Naruhito of Japan and his wife, Empress Masako, greet visitors during his birthday celebration at the Imperial Palace on Feb. 23, 2023, in Tokyo.
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Empress Masako of Japan, 2023
Image Credit: Getty Images Emperor Naruhito (L) and Empress Masako (R) attended the National Memorial Service for War Dead on Aug. 15, 2023, in Tokyo.
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Empress Masako of Japan, 2024
Image Credit: Getty Images Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan arrive for a state visit to the United Kingdom at Stansted Airport on June 22, 2024, in Stansted, United Kingdom.
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Empress Masako of Japan, 2024
Image Credit: Getty Images Queen Camilla (C) speaks with Empress Masako of Japan and Prince William, Prince of Wales (R) at the ceremonial welcome during the state visit to the United Kingdom at the Horse Guards Parade on June 25, 2024, in London.