Senior Textile Designer with over 12 years of experience in home textile product development within global retail environments. Trained in the UK at one of the most renowned art universities, I began my career in a small design studio before expanding my expertise within multinational retail brands such as ZARA and MUJI. With this diverse background, I have established my freelance practice as an independent textile designer. I manage the entire design process — from concept development and mood board creation to product development and delivery of refined final products.

Azusa Dannohara

Senior Textile Designer with over 12 years of experience in home textile product development within global retail environments. Trained in the UK at one of the most renowned art universities, I began my career in a small design studio before expanding my expertise within multinational retail brands such as ZARA and MUJI. With this diverse background, I have established my freelance practice as an independent textile designer. I manage the entire design process — from concept development and mood board creation to product development and delivery of refined final products.

Available to hire

Senior Textile Designer with over 12 years of experience in home textile product development within global retail environments.
Trained in the UK at one of the most renowned art universities, I began my career in a small design studio before expanding my expertise within multinational retail brands such as ZARA and MUJI.
With this diverse background, I have established my freelance practice as an independent textile designer. I manage the entire design process — from concept development and mood board creation to product development and delivery of refined final products.

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Language

Japanese
Fluent
English
Fluent
Spanish; Castilian
Advanced

Work Experience

Senior Textile Designer at MUJI - Ryohin Keikaku
September 1, 2024 - October 1, 2025
Lead colour direction for the textile team in collaboration with merchandisers; oversaw bedroom category development (pillowcases, duvets, sleep-related products and accessories); researched natural materials such as igusa and abaca fiber; collaborated with trading companies to develop material applications that reinterpret traditional resources for contemporary lifestyle products; managed technical documentation, specifications and measurements; facilitated weekly team meetings; collaborated with independent studio NUNO for material innovation and seasonal collection strategy.
Senior Textile Designer at Zara Home Inditex
July 1, 2020 - April 1, 2023
Led the development of seasonal home textile and accessory collections (cushions, curtains, rugs, throws, and decorative items); conducted trend and competitor research, created mood boards, colour direction, quality development, and textile pattern design; directed material sourcing trips and capsule collections aligned with seasonal commercial strategies; worked with sustainable fibers including GOTS-certified cotton, nettle, banana/pineapple fibers, and recycled PET to elevate design while ensuring production feasibility; managed 4 seasonal collections and approximately 100-120 designs per season.
Sabbatical Traveler at Self-Directed Sabbatical
June 1, 2019 - June 1, 2020
Took a year to travel across South East Asia, Mexico and Japan to study traditional textiles, ancient craftsmanship, plant dyeing, and sustainable approaches; visited weaving mills and natural dye workshops to broaden knowledge and inspiration.
Junior Textile Designer at Zara Home Inditex
July 1, 2013 - February 1, 2019
Collaborated with art director to create throw collections for kids and adults; organized themes and sourced raw materials to create new textures for seasonal styles; developed capsule collections for markets including China and Arabic regions for major events such as Chinese New Year and Ramadan.
Intern at Studio Toogood
June 1, 2012 - October 1, 2012
Created window displays for Opening Ceremony pop-up store; contributed to space design and interior concepts; participated in exhibitions, including the London Design Festival, and crafted handmade textile room shoes from recycled fabrics.

Education

BA(Hons) Textile Design at Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London
January 1, 2009 - January 1, 2012
Course of study at Bunka Fashion College at Bunka Fashion College
January 1, 2005 - January 1, 2007

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Retail, Manufacturing, Consumer Goods, Media & Entertainment, Professional Services
    paper textile corner swatches
    These are the fabrics I made with a partner while I was working on Zarahome. Mainly my designs are realized with textile suppliers from India, Italy, China textile naturalmaterial weaving knitted hometextile