I grew up in Tokyo, watching all the Hayao Miyazaki anime before Studio Ghibli existed and playing the first “Family Computer” aka Nintendo games. In my teens and early 20s, I lived and breathed Tokyo street culture and fashion.

I was always good at Japanese and English in school. After high school, I wanted to become a fashion editor but my parents said they’d only pay for an English course. Fine, English it was.

Naturally, I became interested in living in an English speaking country. I saved hard for a year and hoped to go to London – because that was where all the cool fashion and culture came from, but the study program I was with offered me Australia instead.
Australia? Koala? Warmer? Fine, Australia then.

I had an awesome time. Hanging out in a Brisbane shopping mall with Savage Garden on repeat wasn’t quite like the cool London life I imagined, but Australia won me over. Most of my 20s were spent in and out of Tokyo, travelling around the world. No career ambitions or life plans, I just wanted to travel… And I had the time of my life.

Eventually I came back to Australia, studied and became an interpreter/translator. I met my husband at Cricketer’s Arms in Surry Hills, designed clothes with him, sold vintage homeware, became a wife, mother of 2 beautiful girls, and a celebrant.

I love fashion, art, Japanese and Indian food, sake over wine, some coffee, more green tea.
And yes, I do love Hello Kitty—we were born in the same year!