She flew to Paris in 1961 and attended many runway shows. Chanel's designs intrigued her the most. Hoping to learn the haute couture design process, Mori arranged a fitting session appointment with Coco Chanel. Arriving at her atelier Mori warmed to its relaxed atmosphere and Coco's outgoing personality. "You have magnificent black hair," Coco told her. "We must dress you in orange like the sun." More comfortable in subdued shades, Mori convinced her otherwise. They compromised on a black suit with an orange braid.
The Parisian ambiance and Coco herself filled Mori with the desire to explore the Paris fashion landscape. She set up her design company in 1963 and began entering international fashion shows the next year.
By 1977 she had opened her Haute Couture Maisonette on Paris' Avenue Montaigne. Later that year she became the first Asian woman to be invited to join the prestigious La Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture Parisienne which had always been dominated by European males.
Throughout her career Mori has maintained a disciplined schedule which, she believes, lets her create quickly. Typically, she wakes at 8 a.m, eats and makes phone calls and arrives at her studio by 10 a.m.
Mori's latest venture, Hanae Mori Paris Lunettes, offers eight frame styles, beginning at $125, and is distributed by the Los Angeles-based Eyeota.
From her Tokyo office, Mori gave us insights into her new eyewear collection and a peek into her life.
GoldSea: Why eyewear?
Mori: In the past eyeglasses were just a practical item, but now they are statements of fashion. In that sense designing eyeglasses are an important aspect.
GS: What do you try to evoke with your eyewear designs?
Mori: I try to capture the essence of the moment, and design for women who express the times. My designs are humorous, or sometimes very "cool," and still at other times "sporty."
GS: Why divide your time between Paris and Tokyo?
Mori: I am a Japanese citizen, but have been working in Paris for 17 years now, and consider myself a resident of both Tokyo and Paris. Tokyo is a very modern city that is constantly changing. On the other hand, Paris is always the same beautiful place. It is such an expressive city, with different looks for different times of day. The inspiration that I get in these two cities are diverse.
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GS: What time of day, or night, best stimulates the creative process?
Mori: There are no particular times of day that inspire or stimulate my creativity the most. I am always searching for ideas and storing them. I create from these ideas, adjusting them to the feel of the times.
GS: Where do you find inspiration?
Mori: I am inspired by the way people live, by their livelihood.
GS: Does a constant theme run through your work?
Mori: I am always conscious of the fact that I am a woman, and of my position as a female designer. There are many "career-oriented" women today. I am myself a working woman, and have been for a long time, and therefore I can understand their lifestyles. I treasure my identity as a woman of Japan, and I try to reflect this in my work in a way that it can be understood by my international audience.
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