Anne Namba

Costume designer (Madama Butterfly)

Anne Yuri Namba was born in Honolulu, Hawaii and educated at the prestigious Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. She spent six years working in New York’s garment industry and costume houses. In 1985 she returned to her native Hawaii and started designing her own one-of-a-kind garments made from vintage Japanese obis and kimonos. In the years since she has taken her “kimono couture” to new heights with her designs appearing in major stores throughout the United States and Asia. Costumes have always remained her first passion though, and she has continued to design for operas and ballet throughout her career. Madama Butterfly is a particular favourite.