The secret to fully responding to customer needs: A wedding designer who brings brides’ dreams to life.｜nicora decora

Inspired by her sister’s wedding, she decided to become a wedding designer.

Mami Kiyose’s journey to becoming a wedding dress designer dates back to her time in junior college. Initially, she aimed to become a regular fashion designer. However, it was during an exhibition that she first encountered wedding dresses, and she was captivated by their beauty. This moment marked a turning point, leading her to decide to pursue a career as a wedding dress designer. After graduating from junior college, she enrolled in a specialized school. At this school, only two students with exceptional design skills were granted the opportunity to create wedding dresses. Kiyose was selected as one of the two.

“I was overjoyed to be chosen as one of the top designers and given the chance to create a dress. From that moment, I knew that wedding dresses were my calling. Then, my sister was about to get married, and I made her a wedding dress. Seeing how happy it made her, I knew this was the path I wanted to take,” Kiyose shared.

After graduating from the specialized school, Kiyose honed her skills as an assistant in an atelier. The experience, she recalls, was as strict as a competitive sports team in an all-girls high school. However, that grueling period laid the foundation for who she is today. Her passion for learning didn’t stop there. She went on to work at a sewing factory and later at a leather sewing factory, continually expanding her skills. Even now, as a professional, she attends classes for bead embroidery and accessories, constantly striving to improve her craftsmanship.

A commitment to fully meeting the needs of each bride.

Currently, at Nicora Decora, Mami Kiyose oversees the creation and rental of custom-made wedding dresses and cocktail dresses. Additionally, the brand offers photo wedding services through collaborations with photographers and hair and makeup artists.

“These days, the format of weddings has become more diverse. There are more casual weddings, such as parties with just friends or separate ceremonies with family. Many people also just want photos of themselves in their wedding dress. The ability to cater to these specific needs with tailored dresses and services is one of Nicora Decora’s strengths,” Kiyose explained.

She is also exploring the possibility of selling dresses online, studying the process while taking on the challenge. However, venturing into a new field is no easy task, and each day is one of trial and error.

The process of making a dress begins with a design consultation with the customer. After that, measurements are taken to ensure a perfect fit, and the pattern is drawn by hand. In the next step, a mock-up is sewn, during which fine adjustments are made before the final dress is completed using the chosen fabric. Depending on the design, the production period varies, but it typically takes about a month.

“These days, it’s common to create patterns on a computer using CAD software, but I insist on drawing patterns by hand. Hand-drawing allows for more subtle adjustments that perfectly align with the body’s curves,” Kiyose explained.

One of Kiyose’s strengths is creating dresses that can be transformed in multiple ways. For example, TOBE dresses, where tops and bottoms can be switched, or dresses that can change their appearance like a quick costume change, are her specialty. These designs, which surprise the guests, are a signature of her work. In order to craft dresses that are unlike any others, she is constantly mindful of improving her skills, and even now, she attends classes to learn new techniques.

“No matter how many years pass, I still consider myself a student. I want to incorporate the latest techniques and create designs that are better than anywhere else, so I always strive to keep learning,” said Kiyose.

A Surprise Gift from a Customer

Every dress Mami Kiyose has created holds special memories. Among these, one particularly memorable moment was when a customer compiled photos documenting the entire process—from the creation of the dress to the wedding day—and gifted Kiyose a photo album.

“I was truly surprised and, above all, incredibly happy. The album was filled with messages as well, and I still treasure it to this day. It’s my most precious keepsake.”

Despite being in an industry where repeat customers are rare, many of Kiyose’s clients return to her for new orders. These range from baby dresses for newborns to dresses made from family heirlooms, and even remakes of wedding dresses worn by mothers.

“I’m truly grateful that people remember Nicora Decora during such important milestones in their lives. If one day a child for whom I made a baby dress grows up and orders a wedding dress from me, I think I’d be so moved that I might just cry,” Kiyose said.

Making wedding dresses is by no means an easy job. Kiyose says, “This industry is not for those who get bored easily.” The process involves long hours of repetitive tasks, which put a strain on the eyes and back, requiring both physical endurance and strength. Kiyose herself once worked for three days straight without sleep. Reflecting on that time, she admitted, “It was truly exhausting.”

“Creating dresses is a test of endurance. You’re stuck in the same position for long periods doing repetitive tasks, so it may not be suitable for people with bad backs or poor eyesight. I personally go to the gym to stay active and build up my stamina. Staying healthy is the most important thing,” Kiyose explained.

Since there are no samples to follow when making custom dresses, mistakes do happen. However, Kiyose never says, “I can’t do it.” No matter how difficult the request is, she always gives it a try. Through trial and error, she has consistently delivered dresses that meet her clients’ expectations. This confidence has become one of Kiyose’s greatest strengths.

In the future, Kiyose aims to expand her dresses, incorporating traditional Japanese elements, into the overseas market. She has particularly high hopes for dresses featuring kinsai, a Japanese technique that integrates gold accents. Kinsai is an ancient Japanese craft where patterns are drawn on fabric using gold leaf or gold dust, a technique passed down through generations. Dresses made using this technique exude Japan’s unique, delicate beauty, and have the potential to be highly regarded abroad.

“The origin of wedding dresses is Europe. As a result, typical Japanese-made wedding dresses are not often favored overseas. However, I believe that dresses incorporating kinsai—with its Japanese taste—could be well-received internationally. I would be thrilled if this could provide an opportunity for people around the world to discover the beauty of Japan’s traditional kinsai decorations,” Kiyose shared.

Nicora Decora is already collaborating with traditional Japanese attire. Expectations are high for how Kiyose’s new challenges will unfold in the future.