Being a designer has given me the exciting ability to live and work in Paris, France and Rome, Italy. Last winter, I had the rare opportunity to live in Rome for about 4 months working for one of the greatest couturiers still alive...Valentino Garavani, better known as just "Valentino" which was an experience I shall never forget. It was an honor to meet and work with him personally as he is one of the last great couturiers from that era who recently retired in January of 2008.

One of the most interesting aspects of my time at Valentino's Atelier in Rome was watching the haute couture seamstresses at work making everything entirely by hand. This is the reason why Valentino's haute couture creations can fetch up to $50,000.00 for a simple day suit to $300,000.00+ for more elaborate gowns and wedding dresses. I was able to see Kate Winslet's 2007 Oscar's gown be made entirely by hand! I also watched as these talented ladies, some who had worked for Valentino for over 20 years make couture outfits for the infamous Anna Wintor, editor in chief of American Vogue as well as many other well known celebrities, socialites and of course royalty.

In addition to my degree in Fashion Design from Parsons School of Design in New York, I have a BA from the University of Califonia at Santa Barbara in Psychology/Biology as I was once studying to be a cosmetic dermatologist. I obviously did not end up taking that route!

I also used to be a professional NFL cheerleader for the Oakland Raiders and I was the first Japanese citizen (I am now a US Citizen) to become an NFL cheerleader and was featured on the cover of "Newsweek" magazine in Japan.

I grew up in Northern California so I am very interested in environmental and animal welfare issues which I am also well versed in discussing. In my fashion designs I never use fur and I try to use organically grown fibers when possible.