Japanese fashion designer Hana Mori, known for butterfly motifs and for becoming the first Japanese designer to be officially recognized as haute couture by Paris in 1977, has died at 96, according to her studio. The report notes her lifelong devotion to bold, nature-inspired prints and sculptural silhouettes that bridged Eastern and Western aesthetics.
Mori, whose international reputation grew with her fusion of traditional craft and modern tailoring, passed away on August 11. The obituary offers few details about the circumstances of her death but highlights a career that left a lasting mark on haute couture in Japan and abroad.
Born in western Japan in 1926, Mori moved to Tokyo as a young woman where she built her career and even dressed Japan’s imperial family at state events. Her work gained visibility through high-profile fashion shows and royal commissions, cementing her status as a pioneer in her field.
Japanese fashion designer Issey Miyake dies at 84
The renowned tailor and designer opened his first studio, Hiyoshiya, in Tokyo at the age of 25 and quickly established himself as a leading innovator in fabric and silhouette. In the 1950s he designed costumes for numerous films, contributing a cinematic air to his early collections.
Issey Miyake staged his first international parade in New York in 1965, drawing attention by marrying traditional Japanese kimono aesthetics with Western dress innovations under the banner East Meets West. His work challenged conventional tailoring and introduced new ways of shaping fabric through pleating and modular construction.
In 1977 Miyake opened a haute couture salon in Paris and became the first Japanese designer to join the Chambre syndicale de la couture parisienne, earning official recognition as a haute couture practitioner. His ongoing exploration of form and material redefined what fashion could be, influencing generations of designers around the globe.
Miyake also contributed to uniform design, including work for Japanese airlines and other institutions, and he is remembered for creating enduring wardrobe pieces that emphasized function, comfort, and artistry. The butterfly motif that characterized several of Mori’s pieces echoed across Miyake’s oeuvre as well, making his name synonymous with a refined, modern elegance that transcended borders.
Over the decades, Miyake dressed a diverse roster of clients, from aristocrats to celebrities, and his influence was recognized with prestigious honors from multiple countries. He received awards acknowledging his impact on arts, sports, and technology, reflecting his role as a cultural ambassador who fused tradition with innovation. His contributions to fashion extend beyond clothing to the way people think about fabric, structure, and wearability.
As the fashion world reflects on these two influential figures, their legacies endure in the studios, runways, and wardrobes they shaped. Their work continues to inspire designers who seek to marry heritage with forward-looking design, demonstrating that elegance can be both timeless and experimental. The passing of these designers marks a moment to celebrate a century of creativity that reshaped Japanese fashion on the world stage and left an indelible imprint on haute couture everywhere. [Source: Fashion News Agency]