| Merging Opposites: H77 |
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| Monday, 01 August 2011 09:08 |
 By Angela Cabotaje Beautiful things can happen when past and present meet, when East joins West, and when tradition is moved forward. For Miyuki Hasegawa, a merging of opposites is inherent, and the results are simply gorgeous. While growing up in Japan, Hasegawa learned about the basics of sewing and knitting from her family. Her mother made all the clothes for Hasegawa and her sister, while her grandmother often knitted sweaters for them. This early introduction to clothing design had a profound influence on Hasegawa, who started a career as an English teacher before deciding to pursue her love of fashion. In 2002, she moved to Seattle to attend the New York Fashion Academy. Along with studying sewing, patterns and draping, Hasegawa also enrolled in a corset-making class. “I was particularly interested in that because it’s different from where I’m from,” Hasegawa explains. “It’s different from a kimono, and the construction with all the parts and the clasps was very intriguing to me.” So she did what came naturally to a Japanese native living in the United States — she merged her two backgrounds. “I thought it would be fun to mix together Western and Eastern cultures,” Hasegawa says. “It’s a very American thing to do — the culture is all mixed up.” Hasegawa created a collection of couture corsets, sewing each by hand using kimono fabrics she picked at markets in Japan’s garment district. And in 2006, she created her own designer label called H77. Today H77 offers unique and playful garments that merge traditional Japanese culture with American sensibilities. Hasegawa is still creating her couture kimono corsets as well as working with clients to custom design evening dresses and other formal attire, including a ball gown made entirely out of kimono fabric. “It’s so fun to do a collaboration in cultures,” Hasegawa says. And when it comes to merging opposites, Hasegawa is a pro at it. To learn more about H77 or to contact Miyuki Hasegawa, visit miyukih77.com. |