Hiromi Kani has a life dedication to creative works and business development in fashion industry over 20 years.
Summary of Qualifications
- Fashion business development :
Development of branding strategy, Development of P&L plan,
Merchandising, Budgeting of Merchandising, PR strategy, Marketing strategy,
Retail business, Wholesale business, Export, Import
Merchandising, Budgeting of Merchandising, PR strategy, Marketing strategy,
Retail business, Wholesale business, Export, Import
- Creative direction for fashion campaign, fashion editorial advertising
Creative direction, Art direction, Styling, Shooting coordination
Creative direction, Art direction, Styling, Shooting coordination
Design and techinical instruction
Category : Evening dress, Coat, Jacket, Skirt, Pants, Blouse, Knit wear,
Jersey Tops, Shoes, Bag, Accessory
Category : Evening dress, Coat, Jacket, Skirt, Pants, Blouse, Knit wear,
Jersey Tops, Shoes, Bag, Accessory
- Marketing :
Development of marketing strategy, Promotion Plan development, Digital / SNS marketing strategy,
Development of marketing strategy, Promotion Plan development, Digital / SNS marketing strategy,
Market Analysis / Competitor Reseach, Brand positioning strategy
- Merchandising :
Development of merchandising strategy, Budgeting / MD Mix Planning,
Buying(Apparel and Accessories),
Pricing strategy development, Allocation / Inventory control, VMD instruction / management
Buying(Apparel and Accessories),
Pricing strategy development, Allocation / Inventory control, VMD instruction / management
- Production management
Development of production scheme, Vender screening, Cost / Schedule / Quality control,
- Pattern making
Woven item (Dress, Blouse, Pants, Skirt, Jacket, Coat),
Jersey Item (T-shirt, Dress, Pants, Skirt)
Development of production scheme, Vender screening, Cost / Schedule / Quality control,
- Pattern making
Woven item (Dress, Blouse, Pants, Skirt, Jacket, Coat),
Jersey Item (T-shirt, Dress, Pants, Skirt)
Started the carrier with launching own fashion label Cocoon in 2001. For 7 years, developed the brand in Japanese fashion industry as a creative director and also managed its business as a president of the private company. Gained high reputation for the creation of sensual and sophisticated styles.
Presented the collection not only in Tokyo, also in NY, Paris, Toronto.
Presented the collection not only in Tokyo, also in NY, Paris, Toronto.
In 2008, joined Uniqlo as a chief designer of ladies’ woven division to refine the ladies’ line, engaged in design and product development for several global campaigns. Achieved remarkable growth of sales in ladies' woven category.
Since March 2009, joined Agnes b. Sunrise (Japan branch of Agnes b.) to launch the signature sister line "To b. by Agnes b." focused on 20’s ladies’ market, firstly distributed to Japan market.
Worked as the chief merchandiser for the first year to build the business strategy with HQ in Paris. After launched the line, had engaged in creative direction, apparel design and development of seasonal concept and campaign with Madam Agnes and the design team in Paris.
Worked as the chief merchandiser for the first year to build the business strategy with HQ in Paris. After launched the line, had engaged in creative direction, apparel design and development of seasonal concept and campaign with Madam Agnes and the design team in Paris.
Involved in some projects of fashion, beauty industry as a freelance branding consultant and also designer. The clients are global brands such as Shiseido, Tiffany & Co., United Colors of Benetton, G-star Raw since October 2011.
In 2013, re-launched organic cotton wear and life style brand "Skinware". Leading the brand as CEO, creative director and designer.
In 2013, re-launched organic cotton wear and life style brand "Skinware". Leading the brand as CEO, creative director and designer.
Work Experience
September 2013 –
CEO, Creative director and designer of organic cotton wear and life style brand of SkinAware
Relaunched "Skinware" in Sep. 2013 and developed the business unit as CEO.
Selling the collection at major select shops such as United Arrows, BEAMS, Barney NY. Corner shop at Isetan Shinjuku and Takashimaya Nagoya.
Started men's line in spring 2016. Renewed the brand name as "SkinAware" in spring 2017.
Relaunched "Skinware" in Sep. 2013 and developed the business unit as CEO.
Selling the collection at major select shops such as United Arrows, BEAMS, Barney NY. Corner shop at Isetan Shinjuku and Takashimaya Nagoya.
Started men's line in spring 2016. Renewed the brand name as "SkinAware" in spring 2017.
October 2011 –2016
Working as a freelance fashion consultant for global clients in fashion and beauty industry.
SNS Communication Manager for Tiffany & Co. Japan
October 2013 - December 2016
In charge of communication management of social network service of Tiffany & Co. Japan, mainly contents development and delivery of their official Facebook page.
SNS Communication Manager for Tiffany & Co. Japan
October 2013 - December 2016
In charge of communication management of social network service of Tiffany & Co. Japan, mainly contents development and delivery of their official Facebook page.
Communicating with digital creative team and global marketing team of Tiffany & Co. Head Quarter in NY and Japan local marketing team on daily basis. Involved in planning and development of digital marketing projects for their branding strategy.
Design and Production Consultant for a project of Shiseido
August 2016
Design and Production Consultant for a project of Shiseido
August 2016
Design and production management of staff uniform for 2nd anniversary of Shiseido's skincare line "Ultimune" for Shiseido Japan.
Branding Consultant for Brands for Friends
May 2013 - October 2013
Branding consultation for digital commerce site of membership flash sale "Brands for Friends". Providing market research and analysis of digital commerce scene, developed the strategy of re-branding with renewal plan of their commerce site. http://www.brands4friends.jp/
April 2012 - April 2013
To launch their new concept store "Benetton. CUBE", managing the project as a project manager.
In charge of the brand strategy development, store concept development, P&L simulation, budget control, merchandising planning, visual merchandising and buying.
The first store opened in Shibuya, one of the most fashionable area of Tokyo in October 2012.
At the same time, leading the ladies' merchandising team of Benetton Japan as MD manager,
reorganized the merchandising plan and buying strategy to revamp their business.
Also supervised product development of the ladies' line to deliver goods developed especially for Japan market.
Merchandising Consultant for G-Star Raw Japan
March 2012 -
Development of merchandising plan for their ladies' line. Proposal of key outfit styling to expand their business in Japan market since March 2012.
Design and Production Consultant for a project of Shiseido Za
October 2011 - May 2012
Worked for attendant uniform production of their cosmetic line "Za" distributing to Asian market in 2011.
Designed whole items of the attendant, Coat, Jacket, Blouse, Jersey Top, Pants, Skirt.
There are also some other projects are in progress
such as uniform design for tea brand based in Hong Kong,
apparel design for Organic lingerie brand.
March 2009 – September 2011
Worked for Agnes b. SUNRISE (Japan branch of Agnes b.)
Chief merchandiser of To b. by agnes b. in 2009 which had been launched as a sister brand of Agnes b. :
For the launching, in charge of development of business strategy (brand positioning, pricing strategy, competitor analysis, merchandising planning, marketing plan development, brand presentation to the clients such as department stores), Communication with HQ (Business team, creation team and Madam Agnes b.)
Also involved in buying of the main line "Agnes b. Femme".
For the launching, in charge of development of business strategy (brand positioning, pricing strategy, competitor analysis, merchandising planning, marketing plan development, brand presentation to the clients such as department stores), Communication with HQ (Business team, creation team and Madam Agnes b.)
Also involved in buying of the main line "Agnes b. Femme".
Chief designer of To b. by agnes b. since Jan 2010 for f/w 2010 and s/s 2011 : Seasonal concept making, development of seasonal campaign, wear design, production management, Communication with Madam Agnes and design team in Paris.
May 2008 – March 2009
Worked for Uniqlo as a chief designer of ladies’ woven division for s/s and f/w 2009 :
Design and product development based on the market-focused merchandising plan.
Worked as a member of the global design team (Paris, NY) to refine the ladies line with more designed items on the fashion trend. Worked with Ms. Jill Sander for the special line "+J".
Attended global design team meeting in Paris, also oversee the production, visited factories in China and Hong Kong.
2001 – 2007
At the age of 26, launched a women’s fashion label named “COCOON”
Designed whole collection as a creative director, and also managed the business as a president of the company. There were 10 to 15 staffs in the company. For over 6 years, led the team to expand the business.
COCOON targeted women 20’s – 30’s who have sophisticated elegance,
realized 11 collections (from s/s 2002 to s/s 2007) for the Japan market.
In 2003, opened the flagship store in Tokyo’s trendy area, Daikanyama.
Main client retailers were select shops such as Estnation, Beams, Nano Universe and department stores including Mitsukoshi and Ginza Matsuya.
In addition to these major retailers the brand was distributed to over 30 specialty shops as well.
The entire collection was constructed with a range of evening dresses as symbolic stories of the concepts. Composition of real clothes including tailored set-up (jacket / skirt / pants), knit wear, jersey wear, shoes and accessories.
Sensual shapes and structural forms with fine cutting were recognized as the signatures of the brand.
These key elements attracted many Japanese celebrities, several of whom became loyal patrons of COCOON. All COCOON products were produced by Japanese leading garment manufacturers who also supplied for well known Japanese fashion labels such as : Comme des Garcons, Yoji Yamamoto, Issey Miyake.
- Japan
WWD Japan, Senken Newspaper, Asahi Newspaper, Yomiuri Newspaper,
Harper’s Bazaar, ELLE Japon, Figaro Japon, Ryuko Tsushin, So-en, SPUR,
Dazed & Confused, Nylon Japan, Switch, STUDIO VOICE
- International
ELLE US, ELLE Korea, City Magazine(Hong Kong), WeAr(global)
2005 - 2008
In addition to COCOON collection, launched “Skinware” one of Japan’s first organic cotton relaxing wear brands. This label seamlessly fuses fashion with organic materials and consciousness of social responsibility.
The collection consists of lingerie and relaxing wear including a selection of jersey dresses, camisoles, t-shirts, knit wear, and home goods such as room shoes and eye mask.
The brand was highly recognized in the market for its design esthetics and sustainable platform.
Distributing through 20 wholesale accounts including Isetan department store and eco-conscious specialty shops. Featured on many magazines as a new type of organic relaxing wear brand.
S/S 2007 collection was released for Europe market at a high-end sales showroom in Milan.
Other Projects
Involved in a wide range of design projects and collaborations for high reputation of the creativity.
Aug 2009
Designed uniform of sales attendant for Za, Shiseido’s cosmetic brand for Asian market, mainly China, Hong Kong and other countries in South East Asia.
May 2006
Designed a socially conscious evening dress for a premier charity auction event at British Embassy, organized by Refugee International Japan. The organic cotton dress focused on sustainable resources and best labor practices. Achieved media coverage on WWD Japan, some other Japanese fashion magazines.
Apr. 2006
Designed 3 collections for a collaboration brand with a Japanese select shop Nano Universe “C for N” (s/s 2006, f/w 2006, s/s 2007)
Art direction for various fashion editorial works and consultant projects for cosmetic brand.
Aug. 2005
Art direction for f/w campaign “Rikki Korff for Levi’s”, visual image and website of the new line from Levi’s
Mar. 2005
EXPO Japan : Attendant uniform production of the main pavilion Global House
(tailored jacket / zip-up jacket / no-sleeve top / skirt / bag / hat)
Dec. 2004
NO KIMONO exhibition at Design Exchange Museum (Toronto, Canada)
Exhibited COCOON collection as one of up-coming designer from Japan
Aug. 2002
Contribution to SHU UEMURA fall/winter new collection show (Hong Kong)
Provided 10 outfits of COCOON f/w 2002 collection
1998 - 2001
Worked as an interior consultant at an interior / furniture coordination company.
Created interior projects from showroom design, interior coordination for private houses and offices,
to display for exhibition spaces.
Personal design exhibitions of lighting installation at various galleries in Tokyo.
Achieved media coverage, such as magazine “Pen” and other interior magazines.
Education
- Sofia University, BA European design history, 1998
■ Language skill English (fashion business and design / production management)
■ Computer skill Word / Excel / Power Point / Illustrator / Photoshop (Professional)
