Back to the Roots: A Designer’s Survival Strategy and the Philosophy of “Value.”
For 30 years, I have dedicated my life to the world of bespoke costume design—crafting stage wear for figure skaters and performers where every glitter counts. However, a recent accident changed everything. Faced with physical limitations during rehabilitation, I found myself questioning: “Can I still create value from zero if I cannot move as I used to?” To find the answer, I have launched a new challenge—a concept shop called “YoeY.” I have set a strict rule for myself: “If I don’t generate a sale of at least 1,000 yen today, I skip lunch tomorrow.” This is not just about survival; it is a spiritual discipline. Hunger sharpens the senses. It forces me to ensure that every single item I select—like a pair of 1,500-yen earrings—carries a genuine aesthetic value that resonates with someone’s heart. I am stripping away my pride as a high-end designer to rediscover the essence of commerce. I want to prove that the “eye for beauty” I’ve poli









