Miho Murakami

Year of Birth: 1991.
Where do you live: Tokyo, Japan.
Your Education: Fashion Institute of the Philippines, short courses Central Saint Martins.
Describe your art in three words: Feminine, Strong, and Vibrant.
Your Discipline: Visual Arts and Fashion Design.
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What inspired you to pursue a career in both painting and fashion design?

Art has been my passion for as long as I can remember. As a child, I assumed pursuing it as a career would be easy. Fashion and beauty have always captivated me. I spent countless hours playing with dolls, watching animations like Sailor Moon, Super Gals, and Paradise Kiss, and obsessing over the Spice Girls and other stylish artists on music channels. Inspired by their outfits, I found joy in dressing up, documenting my looks through photos, sketching, and reimagining designs. I eagerly collected fashion magazines as well, drawn to the creativity in their pages. From a young age, I knew with certainty that I wanted to become a fashion designer.

How has your multicultural background influenced your artistic style and themes?

I studied in Japan until I was seven, where schools strongly supported and encouraged the arts from an early age. Later, I moved to the Philippines, where the educational system was entirely different, yet I still found ways to express and nurture my creativity. Growing up in a tropical country might have influenced my artistic style. Our home at the foot of the hills, overlooking the Manila skyline, probably shaped my appreciation for organic beauty and vibrant landscapes. At the same time, returning to Tokyo every year where people freely express themselves through fashion without fear of judgment, I think has also played a significant role in shaping my perspective. I see my art reflects these contrasts, merging natural and urban influences into a distinct visual. While I can’t pinpoint a single origin for my artistic style, I believe my multicultural background has also given me the confidence and curiosity to explore the world. Traveling alone, immersing myself in different cultures, and experiencing/seeing diverse art, fashion, and architecture have expanded my creative vision. I also have people telling me during my art expositions that they see the Japanese side, Filipino side, and the fashion background in my works. Which surprises me still.

Miho Murakami | Frogs & Fables | 2024

Your works are filled with vibrant colors and natural elements. What role does nature play in your creative process?

I have a deep appreciation for nature, but I find it fascinating and a little ironic that what inspires me most is also something I fear. While nature’s beauty and complexity captivate me, I’ve never been the type to fully immerse myself in it, especially alone. The thought of being surrounded by it, with no barriers, feels overwhelming to the point where I believe it might be traumatic. It is so strange when I grew up literally enclosed in nature. For instance, I’m scared of large trees! The feeling of their looming presence above me sends shivers down my spine. Oversized leaves, like those of monstera, yam plants, and lotus terrify me. A leaf bigger than me feels unsettling, almost surreal. I imagine that encountering a wild, gigantic leaf up close might make me faint. It’s as though I’m drawn to love and admire nature from a safe distance. The vibrant colors, intricate textures, and organic shapes will forever inspire my work, but the idea of being completely enveloped by them is too much for me to handle. Someday, I’d love to understand the science or psychology behind this strange dichotomy on how something can be so deeply inspiring and yet so deeply unsettling for me at the same time.

Can you tell us more about the transition from creating art for personal expression to launching your clothing line?

While I had formal education in fashion design, my art style came first, entirely self-taught and developed through years of experimentation. Though I started young, it wasn’t until my late 20s that I seriously committed to creating art. After 3–4 years of consistent painting, I began to define the brand I wanted to build. In 2024, I started transforming that vision into reality by working on my clothing line. I entered fashion school at 17, certain that fashion was my path. I created beautiful ensembles, but looking back, they lacked a strong identity. At the time, I wasn’t mindful of trends or engaged in deep design research. I was simply making what I wanted without considering a broader narrative. More than that, I had completely set aside art. If I had nurtured both disciplines together, my approach would have been different. It wasn’t until years later, during my time in London, that I truly understood the importance of research, storytelling, and creative evolution. That experience reshaped my perspective, helping me refine my aesthetics and build a brand with depth and intention. I’ve always believed that creativity is a continuous evolution. Whether in my paintings, personal style, or fashion brand. My fascination with bold colors and prints has always been at the heart of my process, naturally evident in every aspect of my work. Now, I’m returning to the core of my passion with a clear vision: to integrate all these elements in a way that feels cohesive and authentic. My goal is to create a seamless fusion of my artistic expressions, where each piece works together to reflect my evolving creative identity.

Miho Murakami | Moonlit Blooms | 2023

How do you incorporate sustainability into your art and fashion designs?

In my years of studying fashion, I’ve come to understand that achieving 100% sustainability is going to be challenging, given the many factors involved, such as design, materials, carbon footprints, and more, especially in the current state of the industry. I plan to incorporate sustainability by sourcing environmentally friendly materials and using deadstock fabrics. I also want to repurpose trims and leftover materials, striving for zero waste. I also aim to encourage people to take better care of their garments, by being mindful of care tags, and educate them on the best ways to care for their clothes. The goal is to create pieces that are stylish, versatile, and built to last. I’m a thrift shopper myself and have been avoiding fast fashion for some time now, and it has made a significant difference. It fuels creativity in styling, fosters a sense of responsibility in my choices, helps me understand materials better, and I can say that it has improved my quality of life. I’ve found my style and no longer feel the need to chase trends that don’t suit me. I believe that the small changes I’ve made in my own life have paved the way for this advocacy and a more mindful approach to creation. As for my art, I enjoy visiting recycle shops, where I often find old paintings for sale. I repurpose them to create something new. That said, I feel a deep responsibility as a designer to care for our planet. I cannot create something truly beautiful at the expense of the environment. Sustainability is and will always be a continuous learning process for me. I remain hopeful that one day we will find ways to make fashion entirely sustainable. After all, what’s the value of creating beautiful things if we’re left with an ugly world?

Many of your pieces empower women and celebrate diversity. What messages do you hope viewers take away from your work?

As a woman of mixed race and culture, I’ve experienced both the good and the challenging aspects of being a woman in two different worlds. I remember years ago when I read the phrase “all the women in me are tired” by Mexican-American poet Erika L. Sánchez – I felt that deeply. It’s true; it is exhausting to not feel safe, to struggle with societal expectations, cultural pressures, low-key racisms and not to mention our personal challenges. Many people are not well-educated about womanhood, race, or diverse backgrounds. At times, this ignorance can seem rude, but I remind myself that people often haven’t been taught enough. That weight is not ours to carry, yet we do. Despite it all, women rise with beauty, strength, and grace even in the face of adversity, and it naturally reflects on my works. It also sickens me to hear stories of abuse and violence against women. Perhaps this is why womankind has always been at the heart of my work, both in art and fashion. I truly believe there is a greater mission and purpose behind what I create, and the drive to continue is growing stronger. I will keep creating until my work becomes a channel for helping women and children in need. It is important for me to add that I’ve always been grateful to my parents for the privilege I grew up with, as it allowed me to pursue a career in art and fashion. Despite the common stereotypes that art is financially unsustainable, unnecessary, or requires a fortune to break into, my parents were always supportive and nurturing. They encouraged me to follow my passion, and I want everyone to have the same opportunity, regardless of their background. My goal is to create something that helps others develop their skills and knowledge not just in these fields if I can. These visions and the visuals I create are what drive me forward. I am hoping that someday when people see my artworks, they would recognize them not just visually but for the message and the mission behind it as well.

Miho Murakami | Haunted Reef | 2023

What advice would you give to other artists looking to combine multiple creative disciplines?

Make time for everything you’re passionate about. Listen to the little creative nudges when it occurs. It might be intimidating to start another project which is totally different from what you’re actually good at, but you don’t need to be perfect from the start, discipline and consistent practice will take you far. One skill or idea often leads to another, and you’ll find that what you learn in one area will inspire and enhance your work in another. I wouldn’t have found my painting style without my background in fashion and I wouldn’t have created my clothing line without my paintings. The vision for my brand only became clearer through my travels, the challenges I faced, and the solutions I wanted to offer. It’s all connected and that’s the beauty of embracing every part of yourself when you’re a multidisciplinary artist. Over time, you’ll build a bridge that connects all your interests in ways you never expected. Also, for those who still get confused. It’s completely normal to love many things! You don’t have to choose. Embrace them all and make time for each one! When you restrict yourself, it creates stress, which leads to self-doubt, and eventually, you lose the energy to create. I’ve always believed that the talents and skills we’re given aren’t accidental, they’re meant to be explored and used so honor what you’ve been blessed with. Callings don’t fade. They will keep calling until you finally answer. Don’t ignore them. Start with what you have and the universe will bless you with the tools you need along the way and you’ll be amazed at what you create and who you attract.