Meet Cin Ishii of Sakata Designs LA in Pico/Robertson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cin Ishii.

Cin, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I am a 4th generation “yonsei” Japanese American. My maternal grandparents were immigrants from Japan, who came to America for a better life. Grandpa was a landscape gardener and grandma was a loving and nurturing mother to six children. With the arrival of WWII, the family was transported to an internment camp in Manzanar, California. After their release, most of the family returned to Santa Monica, a city they previously resided, to rebuild their life.

When my mother was of age, she joined the military and relocated to West Virginia where she met my father. Her two older sisters and one brother went to trade school in Los Angeles to learn to sew, make patterns and learned tailoring. Soon thereafter, they started their own business “SAKATA” manufacturing clothing and even made clothing for a few celebs of the time…Peggy Lee and Rudi Gernreich…

I was born in Santa Monica. My parents both worked full-time so my Aunty’s and Uncle took care of me and I became the factory baby. The garment factory became my playground. I learned to sew at age seven on an industrial power machine. My Aunty Kaoru became my mentor and I learned so much about the “rag trade” and did not realize that my journey into adulthood would take me where I am now…carrying on the family tradition and name “Sakata Designs LA”.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
There is no such thing as a smooth road. Does anyone know of one? There are many struggles, but this one really comes to mind. I was a student at the University of Hawaii and my dreams were to become a fashion designer. I wanted to be like Bob Mackie and dress Cher! My design sketches were always outlandish and a college professor (and the dean) constantly told me she didn’t like any of my designs and I would go nowhere unless I changed my vision to something more conservative. I was shocked and crushed. Being very shy and introverted, I told myself that one of these days I’ll show her. Received my degree in fashion design/merchandising and had my own clothing line in Hawaii. After moving back to LA I became a stylist/costumer/designer in film, which lead to the music industry. I am now a handbag, accessories and pillow designer.

I do not follow what is trending, which my or may not be a struggle, but more obstacles, as the Japanese textiles are more specific in design, colors, if that makes any sense. I follow what truly makes my happy and of course there are those hidden potholes in the road.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Sakata Designs LA story. Tell us more about the business.
I am an artist, handbag, accessory and pillow designer. I am the creative process from inception to end product. A maddening, maddening way of life, but in the end, most gratifying.

I am proud of my Japanese heritage and wanted to extend that pride in artistically and creatively hand-making functional and beautiful handbags, accessories and decorative pillows out of Japanese textile, vintage kimonos and antique obi’s. The history behind and the process of compressing fabric to make a uniquely dyed and printed textures is done like no other. Hand spun cotton and silk fibers that are hand woven/loomed to create a specific geometric motifs or designs is a common method that the Japanese are known for originating. It gives me the greatest pleasure combining various fabric textures and prints into producing a unique one-of-a-kind treasure. Every cloth has a story, rich in history and culture. An inspirational “haiku” to carry with you, or adorn a home/office and even a gesture of a beautiful gift.

I design my patterns. I continuously shop for vintage silk kimonos and antique obi’s. I take them apart, iron them flat and strategically place every pattern piece on my textile. I cut every single piece by hand with a rotary cutter (a handle with a very sharp circular blade that is not plugin), as well as using shears I inherited from my ancestors. I am my own production team. I do it all.

I take my own photos to promote. I have a website (which needs help at the moment). I do one major showing each year at the Japanese American National Museum and a few smaller boutique events. And I also work pt-time as a personal asst.

​Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Sakata Designs LA has reached a 5 year mark April 2019! I get to wake up each morning . I get to create, but time is a thief and there’s not enough time! So all I can do is do good work, live my best life and tell myself I can do this!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.sakatadesignsla.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/sakatadesignsla/
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/Sakata-Designs-Los-Angeles-256741491180410/
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/cinishii

Image Credit:
Photo of me taken by Becca Guzman.

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