Mori was born in Muikaichi, Shimane. After graduating from Tokyo Women's Christian University, she married and attended dress-making school. She opened her first atelier, Hiyoshiya, in 1951, and over the next several years designed costumes for hundreds of movies. In 1965, she presented her first New York collection, "East Meets West." Twelve years later, she opened an haute couture showroom in Paris, leading to her appointment as a member of La Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne. Mori designed three consecutive uniforms for the flight attendants of Japan Air Lines. The first uniform was worn from 1967 to 1970; the second, which created a sensation by featuring a miniskirt, worn from 1970 to 1977; and the third worn from 1977 to 1988. From 1989 to 1996, Mori employed Dominique Sirop as a designer. He became a grand couturier in 1997. In 1992, Mori designed the official uniform for the Japanese Delegation to the Barcelona Olympics and, in 1994, the official uniform for the Japanese Delegation to the Lillehammer Olympics. Also in 1993, Masako, Crown Princess of Japan wore a sleeveless white gown designed by Mori for her wedding ceremony. Mori had the patronage of Masako, Crown Princess of Japan, Hillary Clinton, Nancy ReaganRenata Tebaldi and Princess Grace of MonacoGrace Kelly. Amidst company financial struggles, Mori sold the ready-to-wear and licensed apparel operations in January 2002 to an investment group formed by Japanese trading companyMitsui & Co. and the Rothschild group in Britain. Opting for fast-track corporate rehabilitation, the company then applied to the Tokyo District Court for protection from its creditors on May 30, 2002, as it had in liabilities. Mori announced her retirement in June 2004, stating that she would be closing her fashion house after the Haute Couture Show for Fall 2004 in Paris. She held her last fashion show in July of that year.
Later life
Mori has retired from the runway but still has a few boutiques in Tokyo's Harajuku neighborhood, including one in the Hotel Okura. Her fragrance division, Hanae Mori Parfums, is still active and produces a series of acclaimed fragrances including Hanae Mori Butterfly for women, HM for Men and Hanae Mori Magical Moon for women. Hanae Mori Parfums are made in France and distributed worldwide. It can be purchased throughout the United States at stores such as Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale's, Macy's and Sephora. Hanae Moir Manuscrit is a line currently designed by Yu Amatsu.
Personal life
In 1946, Mori met Ken Mori, a textile businessman who she later married. Ken died on October 16, 1996 of a heart attack. Mori had two sons with Ken named Akira and Kei. Both children help run Mori's business.
Mori signature design inspiration is the butterfly. In addition to serving clients including Princess Grace of Monaco and Crown Princess Masako of Japan, for whom Mori made a wedding gown, Mori has made costumes for operas including "Madame Butterfly" and "Elektra", ballets including "Cinderella" and musicals such as the Japanese production of "Evita". She has created designs for shoes, stockings, gloves, ties, belts, handbags, umbrellas, sunglasses, aprons, carpets, and lacquerware. She also has a range of fragrances, including Hanae Mori and Hanae Mori Butterfly. Her published books include Hanae Mori 1960-1989 and Fashion – A Butterfly That Flew Across the Border.
