Mi-chan @atelier.karma.m
I actually met Mi-chan in 2007 at a BBQ at Tsurumi-Ryokuchi Park. The BBQ was organized by The Kinki Brewers: a group of long-time foreign residents with a fondness for home-brewed beer. Mi-chan had been invited by her English teacher at Ueda College of Fashion in Umeda, where she was studying fashion and dance. She was just getting started in a career in fashion in 2007, so I asked if I could take photos of her wearing some of her designs in the park.
Tsurumi-Ryokuchi hosted the 1990 Expo which filled the center of the park with international pavilions that are still mostly intact. Some countries continue to fund upkeep of their pavilions, but others have fallen into disrepair, or been razed. It makes for a great location for photoshoots, which is evident by the numbers of cosplayers which can regularly be found throughout the park.
When did you first come to Osaka?
Just after I turned 20, to enter Ueda College of Fashion.
You grew up in a small town in Hyogo, right? I imagine the opportunities you wanted would only be available in a big city.
Yeah.
What did you study at Ueda, and what did you plan to do with a fashion degree?
I studied haute couture and was interested in the joy of the young generation. I aspired to make my own company with my own clothing brand.
I think you once told me you were inspired by the life of Coco Chanel?
I just think there is a lot in common with our life stories.
What kind of fashion or brands do you usually wear?
Nothing in particular. I am focused on the things I create myself.
Where are you working now?
I have my own Atelier. It’s called KARMA.
Why KARMA?
At first, I chose it from Sanskrit. KARMA has a lot of meaning which comes deep inside humans from just one word. Especially concerning instinctive impulses that cannot be suppressed by reason.
I think I see what you’re saying.
Do you have employees?
I have had interns from Ueda College Of Fashion come to my atelier. I taught at the school for a short while, but it was difficult, and I got too busy with my atelier, so I just continued with accepting interns. I sometimes hire them when they graduate.
Have you spent much time looking around the pavilions here at the park?
Not really. I didn’t know it had so many!
This is the Brazilian Pavilion. It’s popular with skateboarders.
I can imagine!
Who are some of your clients?
Performers mostly. Local talent, TV talent, professional musicians, some show business firms, also general members of the public for tailoring and mending.
It seems like you do a lot of costumes for Drag Queens, like Love Realize.
Yes, and so many others!
What theaters have you worked for?
Theater 7, for one. But I have worked at theaters all around Japan. There’s a lot of traveling.
Your Instagram posts about Hajime Sakita theater Koriyama Rhapsody 2024 looked like a major challenge with so many performers
You’ve also worked on movies, right? I remember you did a movie with Yusuke Kitaguchi, if I recall correctly.
Yes, I did costumes for Two On The Edge (Higan no Futari) by Yusuke, and a short film called Hummingbird.
I haven’t seen Two On The Edge yet, but it has a 7.4 on IMDB. That’s great!
You’ve really built quite a career for yourself since I first met you. What future projects would you like to do, and what projects are coming up?
I’d love to do a Super Bowl halftime show, or make circus costumes. I would like to try doing more costume design production for the theater. Also, I am working with other designers to open a salon that would be in fancy department stores all around Japan…but we’re just in the planning stages.
And how can people reach you if they need your expertise?
I can be contacted on Instagram, or my Atelier Karma Facebook page.
And what are your hopes for the new year?
Keep my health, keep challenging myself, have fun, and take a rest!
