Hanae Mori – Vital Type: The 100th Anniversary of Birth

Marking a century since the birth of one of the most remarkable people Shimane prefecture has ever produced, the National Art Center, Tokyo 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 Mori’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 its protagonist’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.