INTERVIEW by PEONY LOVERS, May 2023

1. We read your bio and we find out that you start sewing since you were a little kid and making dresses for your dolls.

Do you remember the motivation to begin doing it? 

How did this curiosity begin?

 

I was just a little girl who wanted to play with my dolls wearing something I made. 

No one ever told or showed me how to sew, it was a personal desire that drove me to explore the world of sewing. 

I remember being captivated by the dolls in the shops, even though they were encased in plastic and inaccessible. 

Instead of discouraging me, this restriction fueled my curiosity about how those clothes were created. 

I would examine them from different angles, trying to decipher their construction. 

As soon as I returned home, I would eagerly open my mother’s sewing tools and attempt to replicate what I had observed. 

 

I didn’t rely on my parents to purchase doll clothes for me; I wanted to create my own. In fact, I enjoyed making doll clothes not only for myself but also for my dear friend. 

My mother, despite her lack of interest in sewing or crafts, unintentionally provided me with all the necessary tools. 

It was an old tradition for Japanese women to possess sewing skills and bring sewing tools and machines with them upon marriage, so my mother had those tools at hand. 

 

However, my great influence came from my great-grandmother, who resided just a short 30-minute drive away. 

Whenever I visited her, I witnessed her skillfully crafting various items. She lovingly knitted wool sweaters and scarves, sewed Yukata (cotton Kimono that we wore in the summer festivals)  and trousers for me, and she often made delicious udon, soba, and mochi with her simple tools. I cherished those moments spent by her side, watching her create. Sadly, she passed away when I was 18, and by that time, I had already pursued a Fashion Design major in high school.”

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2. In which moment of your life you realize you wanted to be an artist and what comes with that? Like leaving your home since you were pretty young, and how does that influence in your art today?

At the age of 11, I wrote a letter to my future self expressing my dreams of becoming a fashion designer. Fueled by that aspiration, I enrolled in a newly opened high school that offered Fashion Design as a major and later pursued studies in fine art at a college in the United States.

Immediately after graduating from college, two individuals who remain dear to me presented me with an incredible opportunity to open a clothing shop. They had noticed my passion for fashion and my knack for always dressing as if I were headed to a special occasion. I never explicitly shared with them my fashion studies or my childhood dream of becoming a fashion designer. It had remained a childhood dream that I hadn’t actively pursued, even though I genuinely enjoyed adorning myself in pretty and unique clothes and had acquired sewing skills.

When the chance to open the shop presented itself, I wholeheartedly embraced the opportunity and started creating clothes and hats to sell in my own shop.

 

At the age of 23, my journey as a store owner and fashion designer began, marking the beginning of an exhilarating chapter in my life. 

 

I believe I have always been open to new ideas and opportunities since I was young. My parents saw that I always had a clear direction I wanted to pursue, and they were supportive of my aspirations, or perhaps they knew they couldn’t stop me. Naturally, they were proud of me for pursuing my dream and owning a shop in the USA.

 

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3. What do you enjoy the most of taking this spaces and make amazing installations ?

 What brings me the greatest joy is the impulse of my hands to breathe life into the ideas and visions that reside within me. Whether I’m painting or crafting intricate paper installations, I surrender to the guidance of my mind, striving to capture the essence of my vision as closely as possible. It’s an exhilarating challenge, as I often find that my hands can’t quite translate the exact image I see in my mind into tangible creations.

 

During my time as a fashion designer, a new ritual unfolded within my creative process. Before going to sleep, I would make a special request to my dreams. I would ask them to reveal new and extraordinary clothing designs to me. To my delight, I would often awaken with amazing designs still vividly imprinted in my mind’s eye. I would quickly sketch these inspired creations, eager to capture their essence before it faded away. Then, I would head to my shop-atelier, where I could transform those dream-born visions into tangible garments. 

This process brought me a deep and intimate connection to my creative essence.

 

Moreover, for the past 10 years, I have discovered immense value in the act of journaling. Reflecting upon the tapestry of my everyday experiences and the kaleidoscope of emotions they evoke has provided me with a deeper understanding of the very essence of my artistic pursuit. It has added a layer of meaning and purpose to my work, as it has become a means of expressing my perspective and connection to the world around me.

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4.- We had the chance to be in your home and see more of you, and we notice you have an amazing fashion and accessories sense.

What does this elements means for you and use them or integrate them in your daily life?

 

Fashion, to me, is an ever-evolving journey of exploration. I embrace the joy of experimenting and expressing my creativity through my wardrobe. Over time, I have adopted a more minimalist approach, cherishing a smaller collection of clothes compared to my days as a fashion designer. As a Milliner, hats have become an integral part of my personal style, and I feel a sense of incompleteness without a hat or ribbon gracing my head when I venture outside.

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5. How it’s been so far your experience living in Mexico City as an artist? Is there an specific spot you like to visit often or inspires you? And do you find any similarities to Japan culture now that you can live and feel Mexican culture and art too.

 

My favorite place in Mexico City is Mercado Jamaica, the flower market. The vibrant colors and aromas, along with the vendors creating bouquets, flower offerings, and selling various herbs and vegetables as well as kitchen tools, make it a truly captivating experience. 

I can find pretty much everything there, including inspiration.

 

When I moved to Mexico City, opportunities quickly came my way. Within four days in the city, I received an offer to showcase my work at Loose Blues in Juarez, thanks to Shota and Jacquie. It was a serendipitous encounter, considering I had just met them the same night. Three months later, I had my first exhibition in the city I had just moved to. I was also starting to form meaningful friendships, including Mexican friends and friends from South America. I felt a strong sense of belonging and warmth in this city.

 

The stark contrast between Japanese and Mexican cultures is something I deeply appreciate, and it’s one of the reasons I chose to live here. I am drawn to the differences and derive joy from exploring and embracing them. 

 

Mexican folk art, in particular, captivates me. I am eager to connect with indigenous people and learn about their culture, with a specific focus on folk art, which is a great passion of mine in Mexico.