Reiko McNish Sato: Make your Mark Moments
How did you #MakeYourMark?
In the pursuit for identity, Reiko is a 24-year-old founder and designer of AMATERAS, a Japanese nightwear brand inspired by traditional culture. Reiko was born and raised in Japan until the age of 10 before moving to Canada with her family. Over the years, this move abroad cultivated her true love for Japan, it’s unmistakable culture, identity and people —fuelling a desire to move back on her own to study. On her return to Japan, the picturesque image she had built in her mind was not all it seemed. Much to her dismay, Reiko noticed that Japan was not the oriental fashion capital she once remembered —saying goodbye to the kimono and hello to heavily westernised trends. Spending time in Canada taught her the importance of not being influenced by the norms of others and to proudly embrace her unique identity. This prompted Reiko to begin her own journey with AMATERAS, reigniting the distinct flare of traditional Japanese style and reintroducing a movement that empowers and strengthens Japanese women.
My Story
Envision where you want to be, “Listen to your inner voice and follow it”, explains Reiko.
It all started in the big city of anime, delectable sushi and endless vending machines —Tokyo. While Reiko was studying in Japan she started her first career as a model while also working in the retail industry. However, while at university her vision to emphasise modern-day fashion by traditional Japanese culture was unwavering and clear. In 2018 Reiko took matters into her own hands as AMATERAS was born with a name as powerful as the brands intentions -referencing the Japanese Godess of sun, Amaterasu. Two years into business, Reiko has successfully been able to create a fashion label with the pure intention to highlight traditional Japanese styles, such as the Kimono, and encourage finding beauty within ones own culture rather than others.
2020: Are You Ready?
2020 holds a lot of hope and growth for Reiko and AMATERAS.
Reiko aims for the following decade to mark the growth of female independence as she aspires to help women powerfully integrate their own personal and traditional style into society. All the while she is determined to export Japanese culture to the world through her designs, concepts and movements.
