Yumi Katsura, a pioneer of Western wedding dresses in Asia, dies at the age of 94. Katsura passed away at her residence in Tokyo on April 26, 2024, only two days after celebrating her 94th birthday.
The Story of Yumi Katsura, The Wedding Dress Pioneer
Yumi Katsura (桂 由美) is a Japanese designer who first designed Western wedding gowns in Asia. Furthermore, she once designed papal vestments for St. John Paul II. Born on April 24, 1930, she was active in the fashion industry for over five decades.
Not only is Yumi Katsura the pioneer of bridal fashion in Japan, but it has also blended traditional Japanese techniques with French motifs. Throughout a career spanning over half a century, her work has been featured in various fashion shows and events worldwide.
After studying fashion design in Tokyo and Paris, Katsura pioneered the introduction of Western wedding dresses in Japan in 1964. Furthermore, she launched the country’s first bridal shop the following year when only 3% of brides chose a Western dress over a traditional kimono.
Furthermore, the iconic designer gained international recognition in the 1980s. She successfully debuted at a New York fashion show in 1981 and hosted the first bridal fashion show in Beijing, China, in 1986. In 1993, she created garments for the late pope, who wore them during Easter Mass.
In 2012, she set a Guinness World Record for a wedding dress adorned with the most pearls — 13,262. Meanwhile, in 2018, Yumi Katsura became the first designer to exhibit her work at the Akasaka Palace.
Her latest fashion show took place on March 5 in Tokyo, showcasing approximately 70 new items from her collection. One of Katsura’s dresses is kept in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute in New York City.
Not only being known as a fashion designer, Yumi Katsura published more than 20 books on bridal fashion. However, her only book available in English is “Yumi Katsura: Behind the Scenes,” released in 2019.
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Source: WWD
