It has been announced that Tetsuko Kuroyanagi will be the narrator for "TV Asahi Drama Premium 'Hanae Mori Butterfly beyond'," which will air on March 21st at 9pm. This drama depicts the "little-known youth" of the late world-renowned fashion designer Hanae Mori. Kuroyanagi, who had a relationship with Mori for half a century, will narrate the story of the heroine, Hanae, at important scenes, separate from the narration by announcer Yoko Oshita.
The drama commemorates the 100th anniversary of the birth of Hanae, the first East Asian to become a full member of the Paris Haute Couture (high-end tailored clothing) association and who continued to spread "Japanese elegance" to the world. It depicts the "untold story of her youth," from her childhood spent in Shimane to her passion for dressmaking, sparked by making clothes for her son, and her eventual expansion into the world. Rikako Yagi stars as Hanae. Yuto Yuto Nakajima plays her husband, Ken, Yoshino Kimura plays her mother, Nobu Fujii, and Toru Nakamura plays her father, Tokuzo.
Kuroyanagi and Hanae first met in the spring of 1972, when Kuroyanagi was studying at a drama school in New York. Since then, they have become close friends, and Kuroyanagi wore many dresses designed by Hanae when she appeared on "The Best Ten" (1978-1989, TBS). She also frequently appeared on "Tetsuko's Room" wearing dresses designed by Hanae, and Hanae also made frequent appearances on "Tetsuko's Room."
Kuroyanagi commented, "For me, Professor Mori has had a great influence on me. Her elegance and beauty were clearly reflected in her designs. Even when I was abroad, I felt at ease when I was wearing her clothes. She always valued individuality, and that extended to her way of life as well."
