Hanae Mori

Japanese designer Hanae Mori (1926-9022) opened her studio in 1951. During the heyday of the Japanese film industry in the 1950s, she designed hundreds of film costumes and later on, she costumed several operas, plays, and musicals. In 1965 Mori had her first show in New York, opened a store in New York in 1976, and in Paris in 1977. She continued to show haute couture in Paris, New York, and Tokyo for 27 years. She is the only Asian designer to be accepted as a member of La Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne.

Besides haute couture gowns, Mori also designed daywear and was especially famous for her suits and suit jackets. Mori liked to use silk and chiffon imprinted with Japanese blossoms, seascapes, calligraphy, and her trademark butterfly. Compared to other Japanese designers, Mori’s style was always more conservative but was worn by royals and celebs worldwide.

When vintage shopping, look up also for her silk scarves and earrings.