Kazuyo Tan

I didn't enter a design career with a burning passion, but rather from the need of supporting myself after my husband passed on — at a time when job opportunities for women were very limited. I was invited to be assistant to the president of a dressmaking school in Kobe. I was a graduate of that school. I think the president gave me the job, not so much because of my ability, but because she felt sorry for me. I was sent to open and manage the Tokyo office.

Because I was eager to improve Japanese women's clothing, I studied dress design in New York and Paris. I didn't make much effort to advance myself. I rather tried to do well what came to me. I was blessed with many opportunities that developed from unexpected encounters.

As a fashion designer, I was always under pressure to create “something new”— to give people a surprise. At the same time, I was always seeking something of lasting value, of lasting good. My heart's deepest desire was to share God's love, and introduce Christianity to people. I was a member of a Protestant church before becoming a Christian Scientist some thirty years ago.

In my work, I had to be a creator and a business manager at the same time. With a staff of about ten, I had to be sure I had enough orders so that I could pay salaries and all the bills. I don't think I could have managed my business without leaning daily on God for His help.

I've often had young designers from abroad stay with me — young women from South Korea, Taiwan, the US, and France. I do this for the sheer joy of having such people around. When they're distressed, I say, “Only good is real, and bad things are not real.” This simple truth seems shocking to many, but it has often given them fresh courage to face up to a challenge and move forward.

One time, two days before I was to give a talk before a large audience, I fell. My face was badly swollen, and one eye was black and blue. Prayer improved the condition a great deal, and I was able to make the speech without people noticing the trouble. Then, too, there were many times when a newspaper or magazine deadline was flashing before me, and I had no ideas. But when I realized that God is the real “writer,” ideas came flowing. And it was all done in good time.

The most dramatic experience came about a year ago. I was making a dress for a customer who had brought her own very expensive fabric. After I made the cutting, I suddenly realized I had no sleeves. I'd been preoccupied with placing the very elegant embroidery in the right positions. I panicked for a moment, as there was no way to obtain more of the same fabric. I thought, “How could I do something so dumb after having been in the business for so long!”

Then I remembered how God has always stood by me in times of trouble. I literally clung to Him. I knew nothing is impossible to God — that He would help me complete this job. I was directed to proceed, step by step. I took sleeves out of the skirt, and as a result, the finished dress looked far more beautiful than its original design. It had a much better line, after excess fabric was removed. God rescued me once again.

Recently, after the passing of my teacher, Chiyo Tanaka, the school's board of trustees faced financial problems. I said, “Isn't the most important thing to think how we can share more love, express more beauty — and embrace and nurture the students with more love and beauty?” The people sitting around the table looked dumbfounded. I came home hoping, praying, and knowing that what I said left something good on their mind.