Hanae Mori, Japanese Couturier Who Melded East-West Styles, Dies at 96 - The New York Times

From a Tokyo dressmaking shop catering to the wives of American G.I.s, Ms. Mori climbed to global fame as the first Asian woman to join the ranks of French haute couture.

Japans foremost female fashion designer was born Hanae Fujii on Jan. 8, 1926, in Muikaichi (now Yoshika), in Shimane Prefecture in southwestern Japan. She was the only daughter among the six children… [+1204 chars]

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