JAPAN: At Tokyo’s Belle Epoque Beauty College, where fashion, creativity, and performance converge – sound has become the new medium of inspiration. The Harajuku campus has recently elevated its event hall with a cutting-edge L-Acoustics Kiva II system, transforming the multipurpose space into a professional-grade arena that mirrors the high-calibre production environments students aspire to work in.

Installed by Sound Office, under the direction of President Hiroshi Sudo, with equipment supplied by Bestec Audio, L-Acoustics’ Japanese partner, the new sound system ensures that every student show, idol performance, and influencer event resonates with the clarity and energy of a world-class production. The venue doubles as a classroom during the week and transforms into a live event space on weekends, hosting productions by entertainment companies and talent agencies.

“The hall regularly programs events for YouTube celebrities and fashion models, who are very popular among young people,” shared Maiko Mitsui, Secretary General of Belle Epoque Beauty School. “Seeing the models showered with cheers during these shows gives the students a boost of confidence and pride in the work they’ve accomplished with their honed skills.”

The audio upgrade came in response to growing expectations within Japan’s fast-evolving entertainment industry. Nobuyuki Matsuoka of Best Produce – the Project Coordinator, explained: “In recent years, idol events have seen a huge variety of sound sources and tones being used. While our previous equipment was sufficient for live audio playback, it was lacking the clarity of individual sounds. We advised all partnering companies in this upgrade project that a certain level of quality was required to meet the demands of the entertainment industry.”

At the core of the new setup is a compact yet powerful L-Acoustics Kiva II system configured in a main left-right design, with each array featuring one SB15m subwoofer stacked beneath four Kiva II enclosures, all powered by two LA4X amplified controllers. “I selected Kiva II for its sonic clarity, scalability, and flexibility – all critical for a venue where industry-standard performances have become central to the educational experience,” explained Sudo. “The modular design allows for future expansion as the school’s needs evolve, and its rider-friendly reputation means visiting production teams immediately recognise and trust the equipment. We’d heard from the technical contractors who regularly use the venue that they were looking forward to working with an L-Acoustics system.”

The results have been immediate and impressive. Manami Uchida, the college’s Administrative Director and PR Lead, remarked, “It’s only been about a month since installation and we already had a fashion show-style event with models walking the runway. Attendees were very impressed with the sound quality.”

By adopting L-Acoustics’ professional-grade technology, Belle Epoque Beauty College is giving its students a sonic advantage—ensuring they not only look the part but also sound ready for the world of fashion and entertainment production.