Marking a century since the birth of one of the most remarkable people Shimane prefecture has ever produced, the Iwami Art Museum (in the Shimane Arts Center in Masuda) celebrates world-renowned fashion designer Hanae Mori with this extensive retrospective, the first such exhibition to be held after Mori’s death in 2022.
A comprehensive look at the Iwami native’s astonishing career in high fashion, which took her from one of the most rural corners of Japan to the hallowed halls of Parisian haute couture, the exhibition showcases Mori’s signature East-meets-West style and her dedication to traditional Japanese materials and techniques.
Some 400 items, from Mori’s iconic butterfly-adorned dresses to photographs and personal belongings, are used to illustrate the designer’s life, convictions and philosophy of the ‘vital type’ – a vibrant, dedicated and forward-looking woman, reflecting her own approach to life. What emerges is the image of not only a brilliant fashion trailblazer, but also that of a pioneering professional whose example inspired a generation of women during Japan’s period of rapid postwar economic growth.
During the exhibition period, the museum will be organising tours taking in the nature and culture of the surrounding area, inviting visitors to experience the roots of Mori’s creativity. Details for these will be announced at a later date.
Also on show at the same museum until November 24 is ‘Sekishu Washi Paper and the Local Lifestyle of Iwami’, an exhibition exploring the history of sekishu washi, a type of traditional Japanese paper produced in the Iwami region.
