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Michiko Koshino
Michiko Koshino
Born	1943; Osaka, Japan
Education	Bunka Fukuso Gakuin College
Occupation	Fashion designer
Known for	High-end stores in Japan

Michiko Koshino (小篠美智子, Koshino Michiko), born in 1943, is a fashion designer. She has high-end stores in Japan and a restaurant in London.

Michiko Koshino was born in Osaka, Japan^[1] to Ayako Koshino, her father died fighting during the Second World War.^[2] Her two older sisters Hiroko Koshino and Junko Koshino also became designers.^[3] While working for her mother's boutique early in her life, Koshino gained first hand experience in the fashion and retail industry. In 1974, Koshino graduated from Bunka Fukuso Gakuin College of design. Upon graduating college she moved to London to pursue her career as a fashion designer.

Designs

In 1987, Koshino began her Motorking menswear line, which was worn by David Bowie and Moby.^[4] She also created a line of women's wear, Q tee, which is influenced by urban street wear. Her clothing line later branched out to include cosmetics, underwear, eyewear, and accessories that are sold in countries such as Asia, Europe, and the United States. Yen denim, a limited variety of Japanese denim, is another collection that has been successful for Koshino. Two of her other lines are Main Collection and 100's line. Koshino's clothing has been seen on such celebrities as the Spice Girls, Placebo, and Natalie Imbruglia. Her licensees include main brand, Michiko London, Sudo (wool and acrylic scarves), Ta Feng (umbrellas), Shin Myung Mool San (lighters), Chiyoda Bussan (footwear), Mandom (cosmetics), Gunze (leg wear), and Mitsubishi Rayon (casual wear). Her nightlife ensembles have become highly recognized in club environments: her name is first in the consumers mind in regards to club wear. Michiko produced bomber jackets for Boys Own, the seminal Balearic / Acid House fanzine, (which include original members Andrew Weatherall & Terry Farley, both known for extensive remix & production careers, DJing, record labels, etc., who started their DJing careers in Shoom) who were friends of Johny Rocca from Slough / Windsor, the UK manager for Koshino at the time. One of the most intriguing items she marketed under her name was condoms. At London Fashion Week 1987, she wore an inflatable black nylon dress, which received an originality compliment from the then prime minister Margaret Thatcher.^[5] She continued with the inflatable clothes theme at the 2016 Men's Fashion Week with inflatable jackets, having opened a sushi restaurant in London the same year.^[1] Koshino was also responsible along with David Roberts fashion stylist (consultant) for designing and environmentally friendly scooter for Honda.

Inspiration and influences

Her inspiration is derived from urban streets and dance club environments. Music of the eighties and nineties are large influences in her designs. of modern Japanese society for her designs. Koshino was the designer for the final runway show of Stardoll's Elite, Kahlen's Next Top Model.

In popular culture

In the NHK morning television drama Carnation, which was based on the life of Koshino's mother, Ayako Koshino, the part based on Michiko Koshino was played by Misako Yasuda.^[6]

References

^ ^a ^b Shurvell, Joanne. "New London Sushi Restaurant Opened By Cult Japanese Fashion Designer". Forbes. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
^ Baeza, Manon (5 February 2020). "The Koshino Family: Reinventing Fashion over the Generations". Pen Magazine International. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
^ Blanchard, Tamsin (6 April 2002). "Interiors: Michiko Koshino". the Guardian. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
^ "Club to Catwalk: London Fashion in the 1980s". Exhibiting Fashion. V&A Museum. 9 July 2013. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
^ Levine, Bettijane (18 March 1987). "Designers Eschew Protest for Prosperity in London Shows". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
^ "Michiko Goes Solo". Tokyo Weekender. 6 January 2013. Retrieved 9 September 2013.