Hanae Mori Clothes designer Date of Birth: 08.01.1926 Country: Japan

Biography of Hanae Mori

Born on January 8, 1926, in the Shimane Prefecture on the western side of Honshu Island, Hanae Mori would later become the queen of Japanese fashion. In a family with six children, she was the only girl. At the age of ten, she was sent to study at a public school in Tokyo. However, her education was interrupted when she had to work at a factory during the start of World War II.

After the war ended in 1947, Hanae completed her studies at a university with a literature degree and married Ken Mori, the son of a textile industrialist. Over the years, she developed an interest in fashion and began attending tailor courses. In 1951, Mori opened her own studio, creating custom clothing, costumes for film and theater. Her success allowed her to save enough money for a trip to Paris, where she went in 1961.

The butterfly, a beloved symbol of Hanae Mori, appeared on many of her designs and perfectly reflected the essence of this Japanese designer's creativity. Like the wings of a butterfly symbolize the duality of East and West and their desire for unity and wholeness, Hanae Mori's models, the only Asian designer who is a member of the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne, harmoniously blend the influences of different cultures.

Visiting the legendary Coco Chanel's fashion house in Paris forever changed Hanae's life. She decided to return to Japan and become a designer, rather than just a tailor. Two years later, in 1965, Mori founded her own design company and held her first fashion show, symbolically titled "East Meets West," in a hotel in New York.

Over the next ten years, Hanae established herself by opening a boutique in New York, launching her own fragrance, and presenting her collections in India, Monaco, and Paris. In the 1970s, other Japanese designers such as Kenzo Takada, Issey Miyake, Yohji Yamamoto, and Rei Kawakubo started appearing on the international fashion stage. However, it was Mori who received undeniable recognition from the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne. In 1977, she opened her own fashion house at 17-19 Avenue Montaigne in Paris and became a member of the Syndicate.

However, the troubled economy and fierce competition eventually led to a decrease in the brand's sales volume. In March 2002, Hanae Mori sold all rights to use her name for mass production to a group of investors led by Japanese trading company Mitsui and Co, Ltd and the British investment group Rothschild group. At the end of May of the same year, Hanae Mori International filed for bankruptcy and self-liquidation in the Tokyo District Court, with debts exceeding 10 billion yen ($80 million). Nevertheless, the designer did not despair. Her Paris and Japanese ateliers continued to operate as usual, and she redirected her efforts towards creating exquisite garments for her affluent clients, including the Japanese Empress Michiko, wives of Japanese diplomats, and famous actresses.

For her work and contribution to Franco-Japanese relations, Hanae Mori has received numerous awards, including the Knight's Cross of Arts and Literature (La Croix de Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres), the title of Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honor (Chevalier dans l'Ordre National de la Legion d'Honneur), and the Medal of the Order of Culture from the Japanese Emperor. Her sons, Akira and Kei, also work in the family business.