Hanae Mori facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hanae Mori
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| 森 英恵 | |
Mori in 1974
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| Pronunciation | Mori Hanae |
| Born | 8 January 1926 Muikaichi, Shimane, Japan
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| Died | 11 August 2022 (aged 96) Tokyo, Japan
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| Alma mater | Tokyo Women's Christian University |
| Occupation | Fashion designer |
| Years active | 1951–2004 |
| Spouse(s) |
Ken Mori
(died 1996) |
| Children | 2 |
| Honours |
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Hanae Mori (Japanese: 森 英恵, Hepburn: Mori Hanae, /həˌnɑːeɪ ˈmɔːri/, 8 January 1926 – 11 August 2022) was a famous Japanese fashion designer. She was known for her unique style that blended traditional Japanese elements with Western fashion.
Hanae Mori was one of only two Japanese women to show her clothing collections in both Paris and New York. She was also the first Asian woman to be officially recognized as an haute couture (high fashion) designer in France. Her fashion company started in Japan in 1951. By the 1990s, it had grown into a huge international business.
A Fashion Journey
Hanae Mori was born on January 8, 1926, in Muikaichi, Japan. After finishing her studies at Tokyo Women's Christian University, she got married. She then went to a school to learn how to make dresses.
In 1951, she opened her very first design studio, called Hiyoshiya. For many years, she designed costumes for hundreds of movies. This helped her gain a lot of experience and fame.
In 1965, she showed her first collection in New York City. She called it "East Meets West." This collection was special because it mixed Japanese styles with Western fashion. Twelve years later, she opened a high fashion showroom in Paris. This led to her becoming a member of the official French fashion group, the Chambre syndicale de la couture parisienne, in 1977. This was a big achievement for an Asian designer.
Mori designed uniforms for the flight attendants of Japan Air Lines (JAL) three times.
- The first uniform was used from 1967 to 1970.
- The second uniform, worn from 1970 to 1977, caused a stir because it featured a miniskirt.
- The third uniform was used from 1977 to 1988.
Hanae Mori also designed official uniforms for the Japanese teams at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992. Two years later, in 1994, she designed uniforms for the Japanese team at the Lillehammer Olympics.
In 1993, Masako, Crown Princess of Japan wore a beautiful white gown designed by Mori for her wedding. Many famous people admired Mori's designs. Her clients included Hillary Clinton, Nancy Reagan, and Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco.
In 2002, her company faced some financial challenges. Because of this, Mori sold parts of her ready-to-wear and licensed clothing businesses. She announced her retirement in June 2004. She held her final fashion show in Paris in July of that year.
Awards and Honors
Hanae Mori received many important awards for her work:
- In 1988, she was given a Purple Ribbon Medal of Honor by the Japanese government.
- In 1989, she received the French Legion of Honor from the President of France. This is one of France's highest awards.
- In 1996, the Emperor of Japan honored her with the Order of Culture. This is a very special award for people who have made great contributions to Japanese culture.
Personal Life
In 1946, Hanae Mori met Ken Mori, who was a businessman in the textile industry. They later got married. Ken Mori passed away in 1996. Hanae and Ken had two sons, named Akira and Kei. Both of their sons helped run Mori's fashion business.
Hanae Mori passed away at her home in Tokyo on August 11, 2022. She was 96 years old.
