From Kimonos to Saris: How One Designer Blends Two Cultures
Japan is known for being an international fashion and design hub. The country’s robust fashion scene introduced the world to style subcultures like Harajuku and Cosplay, which have since gained global notoriety. For Japanese-born clothing designer Mieko Mintz, the country's fashion scene helped shape her path to design. Mintz says that her own sense of style and interest in design was deeply influenced by the country’s rich traditions in fashion as well as fellow Japanese designers.
“It’s in my blood and present throughout my life,” Mintz told Asia Society, referring to her Japanese background. “When I was young, [Japanese designers] Issey Miyake and Rei Kawakubo were my favorite designers, and I was wearing a kimono occasionally.”
Mintz also says she’s also always felt a connection to West Bengal and South Asian culture, something explicitly expressed in her line of jackets and saris that use the Kantha method. Kantha is a type of embroidery tradition typically seen in areas of South Asia, where several layers of thinner pieces of material are stacked to create one large quilt-like textile. Mintz then cuts the kantha quilts to fit her contemporary custom designs.
“Since childhood I always loved ethnic textiles and when I was very young I wore saris at parties,” she said of her choice to use South Asian prints like batiks. “When I first arrived at the airport in India, I felt déjà vu and I melded into their culture naturally.”
These influences are clearly represented in her work. Mintz’ collection is as unique as Japan’s fashion reputation — her signature looks are a marriage between her Japanese heritage while also paying homage to other Asian influences by using textiles from India and Indonesia to create her one-of-a-kind pieces.
Mintz will be at the AsiaStore on Tuesday, March 15 from 12 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Wednesday, March 16 from 12 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.