Yuka studied fine art, at the School of Visual Arts in New York and started
to have solo shows every year in Japan since 1990. In 1992, she received
a scholarship from Kyoto Rotary club to study Aborigine cultural history
and art works in Australia. Then in 1993 she studied graphic arts, via
a scholarship from the Salzburg Fine Art Academy in Austria where she also
studied under the famous graphic artist, Jan Voss. In 1997 she returned
to New York and finished a BFA course in fashion design, via a scholarship,
at the Fashion Institute of Technology
In her painting, the theme comes from landscape, still life and her diary
of experiences. She pursues a natural feeling by using bright, strong,
warm colors and firm construction in a two dimensional world. In this perspective,
the composite entities create an energetic world.
Yuka’s entree to the world of fashion was inspired by her art and the need to design something original and flattering for her own wardrobe. Her creative influence was part European and part primitive, all culminating with a great dash of East meets West, especially since her birthplace, Kyoto, is famous for Kimono and Kimono fabrics. Truly an original and appealing idea.
Yuka’s designs were immediately discovered and she received her first order
from the famous French Artist Nikki de Saint Phalle. Now, Yuka’s clothing
has the distinction of being displayed at the Nikki de Saint Phalle Museum
in France
In addition, to her well-known and established art work, Yuka recently
expanded her creative talents to hats and accessories. Yuka is rapidly
gaining recognition in the couture world for her high fashion, wearable
arts and accessories. Yuka displays her seasonal collection of women's
hats at Barneys New York, Takashimaya, Isetan and selected retail Boutiques
in New York, Beverly Hills and Japan.
Yuka has been exhibited in over 100 national museums, galleries and institutions worldwide, including Paris, Germany, China and Austria, but predominantly in every major city in Japan, New York, Boston and California. Yuka’s collections are on permanent exhibit in many museums, famous Japanese institutions, corporate head quarters, and private collections throughout the World.
In addition, Yuka’s artworks have received prestigious awards and acclaim since 1994, from well known competitions, including the Kyoto Prize of Kyoto art show contest, Japan water color award of the Museum of Tokyo, Jeanne Berger Memorial award from New York Fashion Institute of Technology. The Excellent Designer prize of Fellisimo(New York), the International Young Designer contest as the representative designer of the USA, and she received Milli Award 2006 for her outstanding millinery design and several awards from the National Association of Women Artists, whereupon her painting was selected for the permanent collection of Zimmerli Museum (NJ), among others. Her painting was also on the front cover of the Hampton’s Dans Paper.
Further she has had extensive coverage in such prominent media as, The New York Times, Asahi (Japanese Newspaper), Yomiuri (Japanese Newspaper), Kyoto Newspaper and her interview in the celebrated Japanese Vogue, Kateigaho, the Japanese version of the French Magazine “25 Ans”, "Mode et Mode", WWD, Britney Spears in NY Post and an article in Paper Magazine with Boy George and hat design for his 2006 S/S NY collection, a current article in Vanity Fair featuring Yuka’s hats worn by Scarlett Johansson photographed by Annie Liebowitz, among many others.
Additional information available upon request.
