I used to run my own hat shop in Shinjuku Lumine.
When meeting people for the first time, they usually think I'm just a small-time hat maker. So, when I mention my shop, they often respond with, "Wow, that's amazing!" But it's really not.

I was surprised to see you on ANA!
A friend in the apparel industry who had gone to Italy for purchasing approached me at a Japanese exhibition. What? What's going on?
It turns out, a program I had appeared on for JETRO was being aired on ANA's channel.　↓

I have friends who are creators that I've been close with for over 20 years.
Back then, each of us had just launched our brands, in our first or second year. Designers of bags, clothes, and accessories seemed to gravitate towards each other and became friends.

I also play the accordion for a change of pace. 🪗

If you're interested in making hats, start by trying your hand at a simple knitted hat. The advantages are: (1) it can be made with basic knitting techniques, (2) it doesn't require a large space, and (3) you can easily adjust the size and design. ↓

It seems unbelievable, even to myself. Everything started from being ridiculed.
Directly managed store in a Shinjuku commercial facility
Directly managed store in a Harajuku commercial facility
Exhibition in Paris
Exhibition in Copenhagen

Once, I opened my first street-front store on Meiji Street in Harajuku. It was surrounded by ultra-famous fashion brand shops. Despite the glamour, hats just weren't selling. After closing, I would stop by the store alone, after the staff had left, and cried out of frustration. ↓

Hats can be made in various ways, with fabric hats being a popular option. They can be made from the same materials as clothing, making them an easy project for those who love sewing. You can easily find the materials at your local craft store, and no special tools are required.

I know I need to make hats that sell to make a living. I understand that. But I don't want to make what everyone else wants. Continuing to produce only best-sellers became a burden, leading me to scale down my business.

To become the admired Hatnista, first, you must find a hat that suits you. The quickest way is to go to a hat store and try on every hat that catches your eye. Whether you feel embarrassed or not, the staff won't mind at all. Just keep trying them on! Until you find the hat that fits you perfectly!

In my atelier, we even have hats with a head size of 65cm. It's fun to see the surprise and laughter when someone who's been unsure about finding a hat that fits due to having a larger head size tries it on and finds it's actually loose! Head size doesn't matter.

Want to aim for being a Hatnista but not sure how to match it? Let me teach you a super simple way to coordinate. Matching the color of your hat with the color of your clothes creates harmony. If it feels "too matchy," adding a scarf or a different color around your neck can elevate the stylishness.

People often say it's hard to make a living from hats. I want to change that perception.
'You can't possibly make a living as a hat designer,' they said with a laugh. Despite that, I kept experimenting and moving forward, one step at a time.

Let's aim to become a Hatnista in 100 days starting today! A Hatnista is someone who enjoys expressing themselves through hats. You too can become stylish with hats. First, let's start with the very basics: the parts of a hat.

A student of mine sold a hat they designed for the first time. It took them a week from patterning to finishing. They were feeling down because a friend told them, "Wouldn't you make more money working part-time?" It's completely different.