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Leading faculty: Graduates from top European schools​

Faculty with European Training

Learn from faculty members who graduated from top European schools.

Led by Akira Sugiyama, a top graduate of Polimoda in Italy, and including Oleg Mitrofanov, who taught at Central Saint Martins in the UK, faculty members who have been exposed to world-class education will deeply draw out the individuality of each student.

Akira Sugiyama
Akira Sugiyama

It doesn't rely on talent or drawing skills.
'VOUTRAIL style' design concept

"In Japanese fashion education, 'design = drawing pictures' is the general understanding, but overseas, 'design = research.' Leveraging the differences in design thinking between Europe and Japan that I experienced firsthand during my studies abroad, we have established our own unique educational methodology. Even if you have no sense of style or experience, that's okay! If you study at VOUTRAIL, you will definitely acquire the skills to design."

Akira Sugiyama
  • Design and Brand Planning Manager
  • Creative Director and Head of Academic Affairs
  • POLIMODA Collection Design MA (graduated at the top of her class)
Oleg Mitrofanov
Oleg Mitrofanov

Central Saint Martins
Direct instruction from a former full-time lecturer!
World-class portfolio

"My goal in my classes is to create a comprehensive portfolio. In European fashion houses, a completed portfolio showcasing the design process is key in all aspects of the process, including talent acquisition. New creations cannot be born from the same ideas as everyone else! Don't be bound by preconceived notions; research with a free spirit and your own unique perspective, and develop the skills to express yourself without relying on your sense of style or drawing ability."

Oleg Mitrofanov
  • Visual Communications
  • Graduated from Central Saint Martins University.
  • Former Senior Lecturer, Central Saint Martins / University of the Arts London
Teaching Staff

Faculty supporting design education at VOUTRAIL

We have many highly skilled instructors who have studied fashion at prestigious schools overseas!
While in Japan, you can cultivate a European sensibility and way of thinking, expanding the possibilities and future of your creativity.

  • Ayana Horai
    Ayana Horai
    Ayana Horai
    POLIMODA MA
    Design/brand planning
  • Rina Sawayama
    Rina Sawayama
    Rina Sawayama
    Completed POLIMODA BA
    fashion design
  • Emika Ueyama
    Emika Ueyama
    Emika Ueyama
    Istituto Marangoni MA
    fashion design
Kojima Motonori
Kojima Motonori

The former editor-in-chief of "Soen" joined as a special teacher
Powerful support for design education

"I give inspiring talks to students based on the scenery I have seen and the sensitivities I have encountered while editing fashion magazines. I believe individuality comes from pursuing what you love, but that is why I want students to notice their own talents rather than chasing after others. If you have the courage to try something unprecedented, you will have an unlimited number of ideas. How can you express the things inside of you that you can't find by searching? It is my role to bring out the opportunity for that to happen."

Kojima Motonori
  • Special Lecturer and Strategic Advisor
List of teachers/lecturers
List of teachers
  • Kayomi Ii (Styling & Beauty Coordination)
  • Keika Ueyama (Fashion Drawing Creativity)
  • Akane Okamura (Pattern Product Fashion Technology)
  • Kaito Kubo (Pattern Product / 3D Modeler)
  • Reina Kuroki (Pattern Product / CAD)
  • Kojima Mikio (Contest preparation)
  • Akiko Kojo (Sample Making)
  • Keiko Sasaki (Haute Couture Apparel Product Workshop)
  • Rina Sawayama (Design and Brand Planning)
  • Kimiko Shimogishi (Sample Making Knit Creation)
  • Akira Sugiyama (Design and Brand Planning)
  • Akira Takagaki (Buying Skills Sales Management)
  • Naoko Doi (Graphic Design)
  • Saki Nakamura (Styling brand production planning)
  • Rui Fukunaga (Brand Merchandising Long-Term Shop Plan)
  • Ayana Horai (Design, Brand Planning, Creative Design)
  • Kaori Masago (Styling, Modeling & Product Production)
  • Runa Masuoka (Sales, Work, Retail Merchandising)
  • Miyuki Maruyama (Promotion Work Coordinator)
  • Noriko Miyake (Pattern Product Technical Pattern)
  • Takako Murata (Pattern Product / CAD)
  • Kaori Yamamoto (Pattern Product)
List of instructors
  • Kaori Amaba (Hair and Makeup Artist)
  • Ikuko Ishii (Hair and Makeup Artist / Representative of LÉVRE)
  • Mariko Ishikawa (VMD Direction / Sales Work / Business Communication / Manners)
  • Ryuki Itakura (Styling Researcher/Stylist)
  • Naoko Ito (Marketing / Brand Merchandising / Sales Promotion)
  • Hidemi Ueda (Pattern Product / Three-dimensional Cutting)
  • Megumi Urashima (Children Planning / Children Pattern Making)
  • Yuji Miyamoto (Men's Planning)
  • Hiroshi Eitome (Men's Pattern Making)
  • Haruko Ohashi (Apparel Product Practice / Fitting Skills)
  • Kazumi Okada (Personal Branding/Fashion Stylist)
  • Oleg Mitrofanov (Portfolio Visual Research)
  • Mami Kawamoto (Pattern Product / Three-dimensional cutting)
  • Miki Kimoto (Pattern Product / Three-dimensional cutting)
  • Hideko Kotani (Coordinator)
  • Chika Sakamoto (Styling)
  • Yurika Mitsumitsu (Consulting Sales)
  • Miwa Takenouchi (Sample making/Knit production)
  • Naoko Tsutsui (History of Western Clothing)
  • Tomoko Teramura (Personal Color Analysis)
  • Mieko Toyone (Fashion Drawing)
  • Misuzu Nakajima (Sample Making)
  • Manabu Nariwa (Media Communications / Salt & Pepper Medias Creative Director)
  • Yumi Niijima (Sample Making)
  • Chieko Nishida (Sample Making)
  • Yumiko Nishida (Marketing/Digital Skills)
  • Maki Nishiyama (Fashion Color)
  • Shinsuke Nomura (Digital Marketing / Web Shop)
  • Emi Hattori (Pattern Product)
  • Sachiko Hamasaki (Pattern Product / Three-dimensional Cutting / UD Design, Founder of "Nunoyu")
  • Ayaki Hirota (Fashion Design)
  • Mai Fujiwara (Drawing/Graphic Design)
  • Hiroyuki Makino (Styling Photo / Representative of SEVEN TRAIN)
  • Keiko Matsumoto (Fashion Drawing)
  • Yukie Matsumoto (Fashion Drawing)
  • MADLANG BAYAN PAMERA (Fashion drawing/graphic design)
  • Shoko Maniba (Hair and Makeup Artist / Style Creation Co., Ltd.)
  • Ikuko Mawaki (Pattern Product)
  • Hideka Miki (Fashion Design)
  • Masako Mizuma (Sample Making)
  • Ako Michinaka (VMD/VISUAL MERCHANDISING STUDIO Co., Ltd.)
  • Kirina Mori (Marketing)
  • Sayo Yamada (Fashion drawing/Sketch illustration)
  • Shigeki Kashima (Fashion Business Theory)
Special lecturer
  • Ayumi Aizawa (Styling Certification / Representative Director of A2 Co., Ltd.)
  • Itsuki Aizawa (Styling Method / Freelance)
  • Nobue Isono (NY Information / Representative of Nova International Services)
  • Masami Ito (Stylist Industry Information / Representative Director, Dixie Co., Ltd.)
  • Satoshi Sakai (Introduction to AI / CEO of Newrope Co., Ltd.)
  • Hide Suzuki (SNS Marketing / Horipro Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.)
  • Morinobu Chaki (Creator support service / President and CEO of Otacloud Co., Ltd.)
  • Yoshimichi Nakamura (Fashion Trend Information / Fashion Director, Japan Fashion Color Association)
  • Minami Kana (Personal Styling / Representative of Styling office KOROR)
  • Ryohei Yotsumoto (Startup Producer / CEO of PLAY Inc.)
Other Educational Features

Other educational features