My Story
Born and raised in Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture, I pursued my dream of studying fashion at Bunka Fashion College in Tokyo after graduating from high school. This prestigious school has produced renowned designers such as Yohji Yamamoto, Kenzo Takada, Hiroko Koshino, and Junya Watanabe. For three years, I immersed myself in the world of fashion design.
After graduation, I worked in the fashion industry for about 13 years, taking on roles as a pattern maker, designer, and buyer. I had the opportunity to work with multiple companies, including DKNY (Donna Karan New York).
One pivotal moment in my life happened during a trip to Montreal to watch Formula 1, one of my favorite pastimes. While strolling through a park, I saw people casually reading and enjoying picnics on the grass. That simple, peaceful scene made me think:
"One day, I want to leave Tokyo and step away from being a designer. Every year, the same cycle repeats—designing, producing, and selling clothes, only for unsold items to go on sale or be discarded. Isn’t fashion contributing to environmental problems? I don’t want to continue living a life that doesn’t fulfill me."
Eight years later, I finally fulfilled my long-time wish to study English properly. Despite the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, I moved to Australia for a language program. To support myself, I worked as a sales associate and alteration staff at UNIQLO in Sydney and Melbourne.
Even before my move, I had developed a hobby of deconstructing my grandmother’s kimono and turning them into aprons. This sparked an idea—I wanted to start an upcycling business in Australia someday.
However, when it came time to apply for my third-year visa, the process became more difficult. My intended school unexpectedly denied my admission, making it impossible to extend my stay. Faced with this challenge, I decided to return to Japan and finally bring my upcycling business dream to life. That’s how ENHANCE was born.