Mori, Hanae

Mori once said "Fashion is an international language. What I have been trying to do is to express the wonderful beauty of Japan using international language." After handling dozens of Mori's couture pieces, I can honestly say I do feel she had brought me the beauty of her land through her art. Hanae Mori was born in Tokyo, she studied literature at Tokyo Christian Women's University. Upon graduating she took a position as atelier in Shinjuko, Tokyo. She then went to design costumes for films. In 1965 Mori created her first full collection and debuted in New York. In 1975 she began to create the most wonderful haute couture establishing her own fashion house in Paris. She has since been called the Chanel of Japan, but I think of her as Madam Butterfly, as she often features butterflies and flowers in her designs.