Ayaka Bize Kitagawa is a researcher and curator specializing in the construction of fashion heritage in French luxury brands and the material and philosophical evolution of Japanese fashion from the Meiji era onward, with an emphasis on Japan-made Western clothing.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Keio University at Tokyo, Master’s in Fashion Studies from Parsons Paris and a Mastère Spécialisé en Management de la Mode et du Luxe from the Institut Français de la Mode. Her academic work includes two Master’s theses: “The Conservatory Turn in the Fashion Museum: The Digital Evolution of the Discourse and Display of Conservation” at Parsons Paris, and “Unboxing Dior Héritage: The Evolutions and Significations of a Fashion Archive Department” at IFM.
Her professional experience includes working in the archives departments of major luxury brands in Paris such as Maison Margiela, Balenciaga, and Christian Dior. Most recently, as Iconographer and Documentalist at Christian Dior Couture, she conducted textual and iconographic research on the brand’s history for exhibitions at Galerie Dior and international museums, as well as for publications and studio collections. She has presented her research at venues such as the Association of Dress Historians at the National Museum of Scotland and Fashion Scholars in Japan, and has curated projects including Authentic Reproduction at Galerie D in Romainville.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Keio University at Tokyo, Master’s in Fashion Studies from Parsons Paris and a Mastère Spécialisé en Management de la Mode et du Luxe from the Institut Français de la Mode. Her academic work includes two Master’s theses: “The Conservatory Turn in the Fashion Museum: The Digital Evolution of the Discourse and Display of Conservation” at Parsons Paris, and “Unboxing Dior Héritage: The Evolutions and Significations of a Fashion Archive Department” at IFM.
Her professional experience includes working in the archives departments of major luxury brands in Paris such as Maison Margiela, Balenciaga, and Christian Dior. Most recently, as Iconographer and Documentalist at Christian Dior Couture, she conducted textual and iconographic research on the brand’s history for exhibitions at Galerie Dior and international museums, as well as for publications and studio collections. She has presented her research at venues such as the Association of Dress Historians at the National Museum of Scotland and Fashion Scholars in Japan, and has curated projects including Authentic Reproduction at Galerie D in Romainville.
