Exhibitions (solo and group) & Gallery talks

From Urban Reverence to Urban Divergence (Urban Tribes Series II and III), IW Gallery, Old Pfizer Building, Brooklyn, and Valerie Goodman Gallery, New York. 2022

Urban Tribes II (virtual group show), UCC Art Gallery/CUNY 2021.

Ginza triptych, AC Hotel Marriot Ginza, Tokyo. 2020.

Rewoven Part III, El Museo de Los Sures, Brooklyn. 2017.

Rewoven: Innovative Fiber Art, UCC Art Gallery/CUNY. 2017.

“Churanunu: KŌGEI from Okinawa,” Onishi Gallery, Opening Reception talk. 2016.

“The Future Possibilities of Okinawan Traditional Textiles,” Presentation/panel. Okinawa Prefectural Art Museum. 2016

Next Japan. Nippon Gallery, New York. 2016.

“Explore Okinawa: Arts and Crafts,” Japan Society. Presentation/panel. 2015.

Group show. Kasagi Gallery, Kamakura. 2015.

Kaen. Shibatacho Gallery, Osaka. 2014.

Kaen. Atos Gallery, Okinawa. 2014.

East Meets West. Poet’s Den Gallery, New York. 2012.

The Urban Environment Project. Flux Gallery, New York. 2012.

Design and Nature. Renaissance Fine Art, New York. 2011.

Migration & Expression. Okinawa Prefectural Art Museum, Okinawa. 2009.

Cityscape. Global Gallery, Okinawa. 2008.

The Tracks of Okinawan Culture, 1872-2007. Okinawa Prefectural Art Museum, Okinawa. 2007.

Island Stripe. Atos Gallery, Okinawa. 2007.

Hot House–Expanding the Field of Fiber at Cranbrook 1970-2007. Cranbrook Academy of Art Museum, Michigan. 2007.

2007 – present

Founder/Designer

Ryuto Design is an apparel and lifestyle brand that interprets classic Okinawan art for modern living, launched in 2022. (ryutodesignbyjashiki.com; ryutodesign.com)

Designer

Plazahouse Platform/Flagship Okinawa. Designed silk scarves with various textile patterns representing Okinawan nature for Platform Okinawa, a private brand established in 2016 by Plaza House department store. Plazahouse Platform also produced additional products (picture frames, fans, notebook covers) with these designs.

Okinawa Senshoku Production. Designed men’s textile accessories in collaboration with Okinawan weaving and bingata communities.

Creative Director/Partner 

Designed T-Shirt line for BE-NY, Bruce Elliott New York, produced by Tribal Clan LLC.

Print Artist

Creates art prints for galleries and public spaces in the US and Japan, including a series of prints for the guest rooms of the Rihga Royal Gran Hotel in 2012; “Blue Plaid & Read Plaid,” lobby, Hilton Okinawa Chatan Resort, 2014; guest lounge, JR Kyushu Hotel Blossom, Okinawa, 2018; Ashiya Bay Court club Hotel Resort, Kobe, 2018; Ginza Triptych,” restaurant reception, Marriot Hotel Ginza, 2020.

Okinawa Prefectural Art University, Japan

Adjunct Faculty

Teaches “Textile Design in Fashion and Home Design Industries” courses in graduate programs.

 Calvin Klein Inc., New York, NY, 1998-2007

Senior Designer 

Designed Calvin Klein Collection and CK accessory lines, including neckwear, scarf, umbrella, and handkerchief for U.S., Europe, and Japanese licenses.

Major responsibilities:

Created product lines from concept to market samples for Men’s Tie and Scarf for Calvin Klein Collection and CK U.S. Men’s Tie, Handkerchief and Umbrella Lines (including hardware) for CK Japan.

Worked with licensee companies and fabric mills in Europe andJapan on merchandising plan and developed the design including concept, presentations, preparation of line tech package, prototype correction, color and design editing, etc.

Researched for trends, qualities, and inspirational materials. Traveled oversea for market research and trade shows.

Other experience:

Nasett International Corp. , New York,NY

Designer

Designed men’s accessories, including neckwear lines and hosiery for Modules. Design Director for Modules Classics line.

Sassco Fashion/Leslie Fay, New York,NY

Designer

Designed and coordinated the Nolan Miller suit line. Also designed suits for other Sassco lines, including KASPAR for ASL and Albert Nippon Suits. Managed the sample room. Sampled piece goods—fabrics, buttons and trims.

Mary MacFadden, Inc., New York,NY

Designer

Mary MacFadden Couture Collection. Responsible for daywear, cocktail, and evening dresses. Designed and hand-painted silk for special evening gowns. Researched piece goods market for fabrics and trims. Graphic design for show programs and advertising.

Mary MacFadden Studio Collection. Designed new ready-to-wear line for dresses.

Mary MacFadden Licenses. Original textile designs for home furnishings, including sheets, wallpaper, and carpets. Other special projects included furs, lingerie, and accessories.

Okinawa Prefecture Dept. of Education, Naha

Cultural assets specialist

Okinawa Department of Education. Focused on preservation work of traditional Okinawan handicrafts. Focused on preservation work of traditional Okinawan handicrafts and funding artists’ collaboration with the public. Organized public and educational workshops with Okinawa’s “Living National Treasures”: individuals who have attained the highest mastery of their art or craft.

Education

Cranbrook Academy of Art, Bloomfield Hills, MI

M.F.A. in Fiber Art

Ryukyu University, Naha, Okinawa, Japan

B.F.A. in Traditional Japanese Textiles

Business Law for Fashion Industry, FIT; Illustrator 10, FIT; Computer Designing (CDI/U4ia), Parsons School of Design; Patternmaking, Draping, and Tailoring, Parsons

Pattern drafting, draping, tailoring and sewing, weaving, coloring, repeat, sketching, hand-painting, illustration, and graphic design.

CAD: CDI/U4ia (prints, knits, wovens), Scottweave (Dobby and Jacquard), CIS (Dobby), RAMSETE (prints), Photoshop, Illustrator