Mame Kurogouchi

Mame Kurogouchi

Mame Kurogouchi is a Japanese shoe designer known for her innovative and avant-garde footwear designs. Born in Tokyo in 1978, Kurogouchi developed a passion for fashion and design from a young age. She studied at the prestigious Bunka Fashion College in Tokyo, where she honed her skills in shoe design and craftsmanship. After graduating, Kurogouchi worked for several renowned Japanese fashion brands before launching her eponymous label in 2010. Her unique design philosophy combines traditional Japanese aesthetics with modern, sculptural forms, resulting in shoes that are both visually striking and comfortable to wear. Kurogouchi's designs often feature unexpected materials, such as wood, metal, and unconventional fabrics, and are known for their intricate details and bold silhouettes. Her collections have been showcased at major fashion weeks around the world, including Paris and Tokyo, and have garnered critical acclaim for their originality and craftsmanship. Kurogouchi's work has also been recognized with numerous awards, including the prestigious Mainichi Fashion Grand Prix in 2015. Beyond her own label, Kurogouchi has collaborated with various international brands, bringing her distinct design sensibility to a wider audience. Through her innovative and boundary-pushing designs, Mame Kurogouchi has established herself as one of the most exciting and influential shoe designers of her generation, contributing significantly to the evolution of contemporary footwear design

Japanese footwear designer, avant-garde shoe design, sculptural footwear, innovative materials

— Helen James