Tadashi Shoji

Last updated

Tadashi Shoji
Born (1948-01-15) January 15, 1948 (age 76)
Sendai, Japan
CitizenshipAmerican, Japanese
Education Los Angeles Trade–Technical College
OccupationFashion Designer
LabelTadashi Shoji
Website tadashishoji.com

Tadashi Shoji (born January 15, 1948) is an American-based Japanese fashion designer known for his evening wear and bridal collections, and his red-carpet fashion. [1] [2] The Tadashi Shoji brand is carried in over 700 major department and specialty stores worldwide, with signature boutiques in the United States, Indonesia, and the Middle East. [3] The company operates offices in Los Angeles and Shanghai, as well as showrooms in New York City, Tokyo, and Osaka.

Contents

Early life

Shoji was born in Sendai, Japan. He began painting and drawing at a young age and eventually moved to Tokyo where he studied fine art. He apprenticed with Jiro Takamatsu, a contemporary artist making art in Japan during the 1960s and 1970s. Shoji worked for three years in Takamatsu's studio making conceptual art. Sensing the political unrest brewing in Japan and encouraged by opportunity abroad, Shoji moved to the United States in 1973 to attend college and further his artistic development. He attended Los Angeles Trade–Technical College (L.A. Trade–Tech) where he studied fashion design. As a student, Shoji apprenticed with costume designer Bill Whitten. [4] Shoji worked alongside Whitten, who created designs for musicians including Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Neil Diamond, The Jacksons, and Earth, Wind, & Fire. [5] After graduation, Shoji worked for designer-turned-critic Richard Blackwell. [6]

Career

Shoji launched his eponymous brand in 1982. He stated he was inspired to branch out on his own when he noticed that women had few choices in the contemporary market when it came to special occasion dresses. [7] With his intellect as an artist and his acumen for business, he pioneered a new category of evening wear. He mixed stretch fabrics with easy-to-wear elegant silhouettes, and combined couture dressmaking techniques with skillful engineering, making it possible for pieces to be mass-produced and designed to fit all figures. [8] [9] He is known for designing for all ages, all ethnicities, and all figures. [10] Shoji uses figure-flattering techniques, such as draping, ruching, and pintucks to accentuate the positives. [11] Signature pieces include draped jersey gowns, pleated chiffon gowns, and shutter pleated cocktail dresses. His brand categories include evening wear, bridal, plus-size, kids, fragrance, shapewear, and intimate apparel. [12]

Tadashi Shoji was a sponsor of Miss Universe Pageant from 2002 to 2007. He designed the opening dresses as well as the evening wear Miss Universe would wear to her events in her winning year. Riyo Mori was the last Miss Universe who wore Shoji's evening gowns during her title Miss Universe 2007. Shoji is the official designer for the Tournament of Roses Royal Court. [13]

Shoji debuted his runway collection at the New York Fashion Week in September 2007. [14] His runway collections have been well received by Vogue.com, Women's Wear Daily, and other notable publications. [15] [16] [17] In June 2012, Tadashi Shoji was one of 26 new members accepted into The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). [18]

In 2018, Shoji debuted his affordable luxury bridal collection, which is known for both its versatility and rich assortment of pieces, and in 2019, Shoji launched his diffusion line SHO. [19] [20] [21]

Women worldwide seek out his designs for their impeccable fit, trademark ease, and modern sense of femininity. [22] [23]

Shoji's evening wear has been worn by stars at many red-carpet events and awards shows, including Olympic gold medalist, Mirai Nagasu (for the 2018 Academy Awards), Oscar Winner Octavia Spencer, Kate Beckinsale, [24] Dita Von Teese, [25] Oscar Winner Mo'Nique, Helen Mirren, Katy Perry, [26] Kate Hudson, [27] Paris Jackson, [28] Demi Lovato, [29] Drew Barrymore, [30] Miranda Kerr, [31] Lea Michele, [32] Sofia Richie, [33] Kaley Cuoco, [34] Heather Graham, [35] Fan Bingbing, Carrie Underwood, [36] Anna Kendrick, and Janelle Monáe (2014 Met Gala). [37] [38]

Octavia Spencer wore a custom-made Tadashi Shoji gown to the 84th annual Academy Awards, where Spencer won Best Supporting Actress for her performance in The Help . [39]

First Lady Michelle Obama wore a Tadashi Shoji gown to the Obama Administration’s 8th White House State dinner held in honor of the Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe. [40]

Retail

Tadashi Shoji shop sign in Maryland Tadashi Shop sign.jpg
Tadashi Shoji shop sign in Maryland

Shoji opened his first signature boutique at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, California in 2004. He has since opened boutiques in Las Vegas, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and two more in California. Unfortunately, as of September 2019, only his South Coast Plaza and Fashion Show Mall locations remain. In April 2012, Tadashi Shoji launched an e-commerce website selling an edited collection of occasion dresses and bridal gowns. [41]

Shoji also designs and produces capsule wedding collections for the affordable bridal retailer David's Bridal and the Anthropologie-owned bridal e-tailer BHLDN. [42]

Shoji expanded his international reach by opening two locations in Jakarta, Indonesia. In 2016, he opened a signature boutique in Doha, Qatar as part of a franchise partnership with Qatar-based Al Mana Group. [43] Then in 2018, he opened a premier boutique at the second level of Rustan's in Manila, Philippines. [44]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vera Wang</span> American fashion designer (born 1949)

Vera Ellen Wang is an American fashion designer. Wang initially pursued a career in figure skating before transitioning to fashion. She worked for Vogue and Ralph Lauren before launching her own bridal gown boutique in 1990.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Los Angeles Trade–Technical College</span> Public community college in Los Angeles, California, United States

Los Angeles Trade–Technical College is a public community college in Los Angeles, California. It is part of the Los Angeles Community College District and is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC), American Culinary Federation, and League of Nursing, among others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elie Saab</span> Lebanese fashion designer (born 1964)

Elie Saab is a Lebanon-based fashion designer. He started his business in the early 1980s and specialised in bridal couture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Monique Lhuillier</span> Filipino fashion designer (born 1971)

Monique Lhuillier is a Filipino fashion designer and creative director known for her bridal, ready-to-wear and lifestyle brand. She launched her eponymous brand in 1996 and has since established fashion houses in Los Angeles, California, where she primarily works and lives, as well as in Manhattan's Upper East Side.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alex Perry</span> Australian fashion designer (born 1963)

Alexandros Pertsinidis, known professionally as Alex Perry, is an Australian fashion designer and television presenter, mostly famous for his womenswear. His designs have been worn by celebrities including Jennifer Lopez, Kim Kardashian, Gigi Hadid, Sandra Bullock, Gwyneth Paltrow, Rihanna, Priyanka Chopra, and Lupita Nyong'o.

Marchesa is an American brand specializing in women's wear, based in New York City. It was established in 2004 by Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig. Marchesa is known for designing dresses for several celebrities, including Scarlett Johansson, Jennifer Lopez, Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, and Penélope Cruz.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Max Azria</span> French-American fashion designer

Max Azria was a French-American fashion designer who founded the contemporary women's clothing brand BCBG MAX AZRIA. Azria was also the designer, chairman and CEO of the BCBG Max Azria Group, a global fashion house that encompassed over 20 brands. Azria left BCBG in 2016. BCBG Max Azria filed for bankruptcy in 2017 and was sold to Marquee Brands and Global Brands Group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rami Al Ali</span> Syrian-born fashion designer

Rami Al-Ali is a Syrian fashion designer. Al Ali graduated from the College of Fine Arts in Damascus, Syria with a degree in Visual Communications in 1995. Then, he decided to move to the United Arab Emirates to gain more experience in the fashion industry before creating his label, Rami Al Ali, in 2001.

Rita Vinieris is a Canadian fashion designer known for her luxury Bridal Collections, such as RIVINI and Alyne. Vinieris also debuted her first Evening Wear Collection in February 2013.

A.L.C. is a Los Angeles-based women's ready-to-wear fashion brand, founded in 2009 by Andrea Lieberman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andre Soriano</span> American fashion designer

AndreSoriano is an American fashion designer, specializing in couture and wedding gowns. He is also a reality television star.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">House of CB</span> Womens fashion retailer

House of CB (House of Celeb Boutique) is a women's fashion retailer founded by British Conna Walker in 2010 and headquartered in London, UK. Since the start of the brand, Walker wanted to design clothing that would give the illusion of an hourglass silhouette, and continues to be the brand's unique selling proposition. House of CB is known for its form-fitting and tailored pieces, producing designer-inspired party clothing. The company currently has over 40 retail locations, 4.5 million followers on social and achieved in $15 million in 2018 profits. From the start, House of CB has evolved from a simple reselling operation into a globally recognized luxury fashion house. Each garment from the brand is designed in their London studio, focusing on detailed craftsmanship and fits designed to flatter natural body shapes.

August Getty is an American fashion designer and founder of the fashion brand August Getty Atelier.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Georgine (brand)</span> Fashion brand

Georgine is a women's ready-to-wear brand founded in New York City.

Steven Khalil is an Australian bridal and red carpet fashion designer, known for his bridal and red carpet gowns. Khalil launched his own fashion brand in 2003, 'Steven Khalil', and has since gained popularity. His designs have been worn by many Australian and International celebrities such as Samantha Jade, Giuliana Rancic, Dannii Minogue, Ariel Winter, Jessica Mauboy, Paula Abdul, Kylie Jenner, Khloe Kardashian, Kris Jenner, Jennifer Lopez, Kelly Preston, Emily Ratajkowski, Carrie Underwood, Princess Olympia of Greece, Georgia Fowler and Jesinta Campbell.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Galia Lahav</span> Israeli fashion company

Galia Lahav is a fashion label established in 1984 in Tel Aviv, Israel. It was founded by fashion designer Galia Lahav. The brand is primarily known for its bridal and evening wear. In January 2017, it became the first Israeli brand to be accepted by the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture and to present in Paris Fashion Week. As of 2019, the brand is represented by 70 stores across 40 countries. Singer Beyoncé wore a Galia Lahav bridal gown to renew her vows.

Inbal Dror is an Israeli fashion designer known for her contemporary wedding gowns. She launched her eponymously-named couture brand in 2005 and her bridal label in 2014. She designed the wedding dress of Ivanka Trump and has also designed gowns for Beyoncé, Naomi Watts, and other celebrities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black Christian Siriano gown of Billy Porter</span> Tuxedo dress worn by Billy Porter

American actor Billy Porter wore a tuxedo dress in black velvet designed by Christian Siriano on the red carpet of the 91st Academy Awards on February 24, 2019. At the time, Porter had recently come into public view for his breakout role in the FX television series Pose and had been receiving attention for his boundary-pushing red carpet attire during the 2018–19 film awards season. Following his appearance at the 76th Golden Globe Awards in a custom silver suit with fuchsia-lined cape, he was invited to host red carpet interviews at the upcoming Oscars pre-show. Porter approached Siriano and together they conceived the tuxedo gown.

Sophie Couture is a couture label founded by Gunel Babayeva, an Azerbaijani fashion designer.

Esé Azénabor-Grembowski is a Nigerian-Canadian fashion designer and creative director, known for her label Esé Azénabor, which blends African heritage with contemporary European elements in haute couture designs.

References

  1. ↑ Silhouettes Tailored to Every Woman, The New York Times, April 22, 2012
  2. ↑ "Tadashi Shoji Bridal Fall 2019 Fashion Show". Vogue. Retrieved October 22, 2018.
  3. ↑ Upadhyay, Ritu (December 2, 2016). "Tadashi Shoji Hosts Fete to Celebrate New Boutique in Qatar". Women's Wear Daily. Retrieved October 22, 2018.
  4. ↑ Kalsi, Jyoti (April 13, 2008). "Tadashi Shoji talks fashion, art". Gulf News. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
  5. ↑ Whitten Time : Fashion: For a long time Bill Whitten designed in obscurity while his rock music creations stole the spotlight, but no more, Los Angeles Times, February 21, 1990
  6. ↑ "Pasadena Now >> Living". pasadenanow.com. Retrieved October 22, 2018.
  7. ↑ "Teamwork and Transparency at Tadashi Shoji". The Business of Fashion. March 14, 2016. Retrieved October 22, 2018.
  8. ↑ Enriquez, Marge C. "Tadashi Shoji: Why can't large or tiny women wear beautiful clothes?" . Retrieved October 23, 2018.
  9. ↑ Schmidt, Ingrid. "Designer Tadashi Shoji is busy expanding his fashion brand beyond red carpet gowns and evening wear – Los Angeles Times". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
  10. ↑ Silhouettes Tailored to Every Woman, "The New York Times", April 20, 2012
  11. ↑ Dressing Women Of a Certain Size, The Wall Street Journal, August 21, 2008
  12. ↑ Schmidt, Ingrid. "Designer Tadashi Shoji is busy expanding his fashion brand beyond red carpet gowns and evening wear – Los Angeles Times". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
  13. ↑ "A brief history of the Rose Parade's Queen of the Tournament of Roses". Pasadena Star News. December 6, 2016. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
  14. ↑ Tadashi Shoji Spring 2008 RTW, "New York Magazine", September 2007
  15. ↑ Tadashi Shoji S2013 RTW, "Style.com", September 6, 2012
  16. ↑ Tadashi Shoji RTW Spring 2013, "WWD.com", September 6, 2012
  17. ↑ "Tadashi Shoji Bridal Spring 2019 Fashion Show". Vogue. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
  18. ↑ CFDA Welcomes 26 New Members, "WWD", June 11, 2012
  19. ↑ "Tadashi Shoji Bridal Spring 2018 Fashion Show". Vogue. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
  20. ↑ "Tadashi Shoji Bridal Spring 2019 Fashion Show". Vogue. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
  21. ↑ Moore, Booth (May 8, 2019). "Tadashi Shoji Creates New Affordable Label". WWD. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
  22. ↑ Charm, Neil. "Tadashi Shoji: Making all women beautiful | BusinessWorld". www.bworldonline.com. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
  23. ↑ Fitzpatrick, Erin. "The Secret to Designing the Perfect Red Carpet Look, From Tadashi Shoji". Who What Wear. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
  24. ↑ "Kate Beckinsale in Tadashi Shoji – 2012 Film Independent Spirit Awards Nominations – Red Carpet Fashion Awards". Red Carpet Fashion Awards. November 29, 2011. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
  25. ↑ "Dita Von Teese in Tadashi Shoji". Harper's BAZAAR. November 30, 2011. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
  26. ↑ "Katy Perry in Tadashi Shoji – 'The Smurfs 2' LA Premiere – Red Carpet Fashion Awards". Red Carpet Fashion Awards. July 29, 2013. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
  27. ↑ "Watch Kate Hudson Show Off Her Snapchat Skills in Bed with Ellen DeGeneres". InStyle.com. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
  28. ↑ Fitzpatrick, Erin. "The Secret to Designing the Perfect Red Carpet Look, From Tadashi Shoji". Who What Wear. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
  29. ↑ "Demi Lovato in Tadashi Shoji – 'Smurfs: The Lost Village' LA Premiere – Red Carpet Fashion Awards". Red Carpet Fashion Awards. April 4, 2017. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
  30. ↑ "Drew Barrymore in Tadashi Shoji – 'Blended' LA Premiere – Red Carpet Fashion Awards". Red Carpet Fashion Awards. May 22, 2014. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
  31. ↑ "Miranda Kerr Takes Some Springtime Romance from Tadashi Shoji to Tokyo | Tom + Lorenzo". Tom + Lorenzo. July 11, 2017. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
  32. ↑ "Lea Michele in Tadashi Shoji – Sunday Brunch Studios in London – Fashionsizzle". fashionsizzle.com. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
  33. ↑ Wasilak, Sarah. "Sofia Richie". POPSUGAR Fashion. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
  34. ↑ "Kaley Cuoco Marries Karl Cook in an Intimate Horse Ranch Wedding". Harper's BAZAAR. July 1, 2018. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
  35. ↑ "Tadashi Shoji Looks to the Stars for His Runway". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
  36. ↑ "Carrie Underwood in Tadashi Shoji – 2018 CMT Artists of the Year". Red Carpet Fashion Awards. October 18, 2018. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
  37. ↑ "Janelle Monae in Tadashi Shoji – 2014 Met Gala – Red Carpet Fashion Awards". Red Carpet Fashion Awards. May 6, 2014. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
  38. ↑ "The Best of the Met Gala Red Carpet". Harper's BAZAAR. May 5, 2014. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
  39. ↑ Octavia Spencer’s Oscars Dress: 1,000 Hours of Work by 10 People, InStyle, February 27, 2012
  40. ↑ "Michelle Obama's 35 Most Influential Looks of All Time". Time. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
  41. ↑ Tadashi Shoji Launches E-commerce, Women's Wear Daily, April 16, 2012
  42. ↑ Schmidt, Ingrid. "Designer Tadashi Shoji is busy expanding his fashion brand beyond red carpet gowns and evening wear – Los Angeles Times". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
  43. ↑ Upadhyay, Ritu (December 2, 2016). "Tadashi Shoji Hosts Fete to Celebrate New Boutique in Qatar". Women's Wear Daily. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
  44. ↑ "Timeless Tadashi | Philstar.com". The Philippine Star. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.