Designer profile
Designer profile
Born in Tokyo.
After graduating from Rikkyo University's Faculty of Intercultural Communication,
He worked in trade-related jobs in Southeast Asia at a trading company.
After that, he was assigned to Laos as a member of the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers.
We have carried out product development using traditional Laotian textiles.
During this experience, she became fascinated with the charm of handmade fabrics and the people and culture of Laos, and developed an interest in turning them into clothing. After returning to Japan, she wanted to manufacture apparel in Laos, so she studied fashion and design at Bunka Fashion College.
Production will begin in March 2023 with a local sewing team at an atelier in Laos.
During his university days, he traveled alone to Thailand as a backpacker, which led him to become fascinated with Southeast Asia, and he has continued to travel mainly there ever since. His designs reflect the feelings and scenes he experiences during his travels.
Past interviews and articles
- In May 2024, he was interviewed about his activities as part of the JICA Overseas Cooperation Volunteers' entrepreneurial support project "BLUE - My first step to change the world."
▶Video: Building a bridge between Laos and Japan through hand-woven fabric: Naho Umedani, CEO of siimee Co., Ltd.
▶Article: Building a bridge between Laos and Japan through hand-woven fabric
- In April 2023, he received the JICA Overseas Cooperation Volunteers Social Contribution Award and Entrepreneurship Award.
▶ The 1st JICA Overseas Cooperation Volunteers Returning to Society Award Ceremony was held
▶1st JICA Overseas Cooperation Volunteers Returning to Society Awards Award Report (Video)
・Interview video by JICA Tokyo, released in February 2022▶ [I'll tell you the reality of Laos] I gave up my stable job at a trading company to go abroad and launch an apparel brand
Designer profile
Designer profile
Born in Tokyo.
After graduating from Rikkyo University's Faculty of Intercultural Communication,
He worked in trade-related jobs in Southeast Asia at a trading company.
After that, he was assigned to Laos as a member of the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers.
We have carried out product development using traditional Laotian textiles.
During this experience, she became fascinated with the charm of handmade fabrics and the people and culture of Laos, and developed an interest in turning them into clothing. After returning to Japan, she wanted to manufacture apparel in Laos, so she studied fashion and design at Bunka Fashion College.
Production will begin in March 2023 with a local sewing team at an atelier in Laos.
During his university days, he traveled alone to Thailand as a backpacker, which led him to become fascinated with Southeast Asia, and he has continued to travel mainly there ever since. His designs reflect the feelings and scenes he experiences during his travels.
Past interviews and articles
- In May 2024, he was interviewed about his activities as part of the JICA Overseas Cooperation Volunteers' entrepreneurial support project "BLUE - My first step to change the world."
▶Video: Building a bridge between Laos and Japan through hand-woven fabric: Naho Umedani, CEO of siimee Co., Ltd.
▶Article: Building a bridge between Laos and Japan through hand-woven fabric
- In April 2023, he received the JICA Overseas Cooperation Volunteers Social Contribution Award and Entrepreneurship Award.
▶ The 1st JICA Overseas Cooperation Volunteers Returning to Society Award Ceremony was held
▶1st JICA Overseas Cooperation Volunteers Returning to Society Awards Award Report (Video)
・Interview video by JICA Tokyo, released in February 2022▶ [I'll tell you the reality of Laos] I gave up my stable job at a trading company to go abroad and launch an apparel brand
