We had the good fortune of connecting with Kazumi Vites and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kazumi, how do you think about risk?
Life is pretty much risk taking. I believe there is nothing secured or guaranteed in our future. We do not know what’s going to happen tomorrow. Either on a small scale, like trying a new product at a grocery store, or on a large scale like marriage and moving to a different country, are all risk taking.

I decided to move to California when I was 30 while I was working for a prominent apparel company in Tokyo. I was having fun with my friends and life was okay, but my real desire was to be independent mentally, financially and emotionally. I also wanted to try living in a different country and culture, essentially, the American dream. Leaving Japan was a big risk, I had to start a whole new life and I was scared, but also excited. I came to LA with only $5000 cash and two suitcases with a small paid internship for job security.

My new life in LA was completely different from the one I had in Tokyo. I started as an intern at a denim sewing factory in downtown LA near USC. Almost 100% of the sewers, cutters, and trimmers were hispanic and I could not communicate very well in the first couple of months. I stepped on mice on the floor at the sewing area, I drove to a dye house in South Central LA after sunset, things were so different from my old life in Tokyo. I was crying pretty much every night for a long time.

The language barrier, the home sickness, the constant frustrations, and culture shock all contributed to my sadness, but it didn’t stop me from pushing forward. I am still here in LA, working in the same industry and I have even started a new luxury sweater brand called, WOOL PROJECT. I became an entrepreneur. I planted a small seed which was my business, and now I am seeing evidence of sprouting progress, so I continue to water the sprouts of my brand and watch it grow.

I always tell myself to try something new rather than stop myself by over analyzing a difficult situation. If you are in struggle, then fix it, but don’t make the same mistake twice. I always stay appreciative of all the people around me and the lessons to be learned from them.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Working in the fashion industry for over 25 years, I was appalled by how much waste is created by overproduction and unfriendly environmental practices. I decided to focus my brand on small batch production to minimize waste and cut down on overstocking. Knitwear produces much less material waste than cut & sew garments. WOOL PROJECT’s brand mission is to create longer lasting products by choosing high quality materials form natural fibers.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
First, we would take them to La Azteca Tortilleria on Ceasar E Chavez Ave in East LA to get chille relleno burritos and horchata. Then, we would stop at Porto’s Bakery in Burbank to get pastries and cheese rolls. After that, we would do a little hike in Temescal Canyon in Pacific Palisades. Then we’d drive PCH up to Nicholas Canyon Beach to hang out and watch the kite surfers. For dinner, we would stand in line and wait to get seated at Shibuya Sushi in Calabasas.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
As a young child, I would watch my father work tirelessly dyeing Kimonos. He started his own business at the age of 20. Always working hard while raising two daughters, I was inspired by his dedication, precision techniques and the beauty that went into his craft. I also learned about the importance of creating long-lasting and sustainable garments which are implemented in the process of Kimono making. Traditional Kimonos are passed down through generations, eliminating unnecessary waste and can even be re-dyed to create a whole new look.

Website: https://woolproject.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/woolprojectofficial/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kazumi-s-vites

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Woolprojectofficial/

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.