Lia Tee - Interview

“Don’t compare yourself to others. Your journey is your own.”

A Journey from Melbourne to Tokyo : Lia Tee on Fashion, Entrepreneurship, and Life in Japan

Interview: Félicie Zufferey

Lia Tee's story is a tale of bold transitions and creative vision. Moving from Melbourne to Tokyo, she has not only adapted to a new culture but has also turned her unique experiences into thriving business ventures. In this interview, we uncover Lia Tee's journey: from her final year in university, where the seeds of entrepreneurship were sown, to her adventures in Japan that led to the birth of Tokyo Kaleidoscope and Ryokan Wanderings.

Lia discusses the challenges of moving to a foreign land, the journey of navigating different industries, and her innovative approach to fashion and blogging. Join us as we delve into Lia's experiences, uncovering her approaches to overcoming challenges, balancing creative passions, and constantly innovating in her ventures. This interview is a journey through adaptation, creative exploration, and the relentless pursuit of personal and professional growth.

You've definitely carved out a unique path for yourself, moving from Melbourne to Tokyo and launching not just one, but two businesses from scratch. How did you end up in Tokyo and embark on this journey?

Lia Tee:

My final year of university was a pivotal moment. To graduate, we had to launch a business or have a completed business plan either actively. I studied business management with a focus on entrepreneurship.

The idea was to launch a limited capsule collection of fashion pieces using natural, breathable fabrics such as silks, linens, cotton, bamboo, cashmere, etc. As a child, I suffered from eczema all over my body, and many clothing items were made from man-made fabrics. Eczema is more common in Asian children during their youth, and it appears to be a combination of genetics, environmental factors, and diet. During my childhood, my mother educated me about wearing natural, breathable fabrics to help my skin. Eczema is aggravated by sweat, so wool isn't advised because it's an insulating fabric that retains warmth, causing more sweating and itching. Man-made fabrics like nylon and rayon are also ill-advised.

I was aware of such fabrics and followed a healthy diet, which included avoiding full cream milk products for a significant part of my childhood and "heaty" foods in the Chinese tradition that aggravated my skin.

During my research at university, I discovered that Japan had the highest rate of eczema among Asian countries. Since I had already visited Japan as a tourist and enjoyed it, I thought, "Why don't I just go and see what I can do?"

Also, I graduated at the age of 22 (I would have graduated earlier if I hadn't deferred my university course for a year), and all I could think was, "My goodness, I don't want to work a desk job in a corporate building during my 20s." So, I essentially ran away from the traditional 9-5!

The head of my university course had also lived in Japan for a time, starting with the typical English teaching job and then moving on to head one of the largest Japanese breweries before returning to Melbourne. Interestingly, the English teaching company he had worked for years ago had employed a friend of mine for a year in Osaka, and she greatly enjoyed it.

With his encouragement and my desire to avoid a traditional 9-5 job, I decided to take a risk and head to Japan for a year to conduct market research. The responsible side of me thought I would apply for English teaching to have a monthly salary and a visa to reduce additional worry and stress.

Funnily enough, when I was accepted, I had actually listed Osaka as my top preference since I had already visited Tokyo. However, the company only had openings in Tokyo and asked if that was okay, which I accepted. Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if I had started my journey in Osaka.

During my time in Tokyo, I quickly noticed the immense amount of fashion waste. There was a culture of buying clothes for each season and then discarding them. It wasn't about longevity, personal style, or group style; it was all about what was "in" in terms of color and design.

Probably due to my background as a first-generation immigrant, I couldn't in good conscience contribute to mass fashion production waste, even on a limited scale. Yet I still wanted to create something related to fashion and, subconsciously, Japan.

One afternoon, while walking through a flea market, I saw a vast number of kimonos being sold. I had heard stories of kimonos being thrown away or burned because no one wanted them. I felt I could create something beautiful from them, giving them new life and saving them from the rubbish heap. That night, I had an event to attend, so I decided to give it a try and see what I could create.

It all snowballed from there.

This blog came about during the pandemic when I thought I wouldn't have much work with Tokyo Kaleidoscope because we were all in pajamas. So, I decided to get back into writing and focused on my adventures with Onsen Ryokan to keep it niche and manageable. Hence, I created the blog.

It began to grow in popularity, and I started writing for other publications. It's still growing nicely and occasionally allows me to work on some exciting projects while I meet and hear other individuals' stories.

There must have been many moments of struggle along the way, could you share one of the most significant challenges you faced and how you overcame it?

Lia Tee:

When I first came to Japan, it wasn't that it was hard, but it had its moments. I moved here knowing no one, and I had to create a life for myself.

Certainly, there weren't as many female expats as there are now. It was also challenging because I was on a different trajectory in life compared to my friends back home, who were still completing school or entering their first full-time corporate jobs, and we were still so young.

Back then, there was no WhatsApp, Instagram was just becoming a thing, and many of them worked at a computer during the day, not wanting to be at the computer responding to emails I'd sent. Over time, people change, lives go on different paths, varying experiences and nothing is bad or wrong about it, it’s just life. But it did get lonely, I did feel abandoned, so I found myself throwing myself into this new part of my journey and just thought that chapter of my past was closed. I hold so many wonderful memories from then and I think it’s because of that, I do think I tried to hold onto old friendships because of loyalty and nostalgia when really it was just time to let it go for it is just the normal passing of time and that’s ok.

I believe that everyone who moves overseas has a similar experience, though the forms of communication nowadays are much easier.

Living here could be isolating. I remember my first job, where I experienced power and sexual harassment from a senior male in the company. I put up with it for a long time, then suddenly realized I never would have tolerated it in Australia. Why was I doing so now? But you're young, in a foreign country by yourself, so you are always a little unsure and you do question yourself, because that's how we've been conditioned to act.

While working my full-time job and researching, and pitching TK, I began to grow disillusioned. I was trying to follow the typical fashion industry path to "launch" a "fashion label," but I was disenchanted by how many meetings I would attend that would try to result in a date, something like, "Love your idea, but I also want to take you to dinner." It was just frustrating.

So, I took some time away and then decided, "Why do I have to do it a certain way because 'tradition' or 'stereotype' says I have to?" I chose to go straight to my customer base, so to speak, and raise awareness by attending events in my pieces. I've always been colorful, and many individuals tend to wear black on fancy occasions, so I tend to stand out. It started to snowball from there.

In my first few years of living here, I was extremely lucky. I'm quite a social person, and I met various individuals across a myriad of industries who became some of my best friends and mentors. They were there to bounce ideas off of, encourage me and were always kind to spread the word about what I was doing.

Managing a fashion label both a fashion label and being a blogger and writer must come with its set of challenges. What are some of the key challenges you face today?

Lia Tee:

Balancing the two and still having the time to spend quality time with my husband and friends, as well as going on personal adventures, is certainly a challenge. I think it's also important to ensure that you have time for yourself. I love my alone time, whether it's reading, creating something for myself, propagating my plants, or trying my hand at small watercolors - that's my new hobby.

I always need a creative hobby that is just a hobby. It used to be Ryokan Wanderings, and when it evolved into something more, I needed something else that was purely for fun.

Being self-taught, what challenges do you find in continuously educating yourself?

Lia Tee: Well, I did take a short course certificate in pattern making and tailoring, where I learned Australian industry standards. My mother pushed me to have a formal certificate, but what I truly love is working with the flow and the amount of kimono material available. In some aspects, it does incorporate traditional methods, but I refer to my process as "fabric origami" because I often fold and pleat the fabric to minimize waste. This approach allows for flexibility if you ever change shape or want to pass it on to a daughter. There's room for alterations.

I try to keep cutting to a minimum and focus on being creative to maximize the use of one kimono. It's a challenge to utilize as much of the kimono as possible. Sometimes, I have a design idea in mind, but when I unpick the kimono, I may find more or less fabric than expected. So, I often envision various designs in my head and then decide.

My husband has certainly walked in on me sitting on the floor of my studio, silently staring at several meters of kimono fabric with scissors absently clicking in the air in one hand, while I work out the design puzzle in my head. Once I cut the fabric, there's no turning back. For me, it's like solving a mathematical jigsaw puzzle because I'm working with a limited amount of fabric. If I want to create A, B, and C, then I need to do 1, 2, 3. But if I want to create D, E, and F, I may have to cut 4, 5, 6, and so on.

I also enjoy reading books of various genres, including business startup books, as they are interesting too. Experiencing new things and learning daily opens you up to new ways of thinking and doing things, providing fresh solutions.

Can you tell us about a project you're working on now or a current challenge you are facing?

Lia Tee:

Working on all my Tokyo Kaleidoscope orders is keeping me busy, and there's currently a waitlist until late October 2024. Every now and then, I do take some time to create something for myself. It allows me to go free rein and experiment, which re-inspires me.

For Ryokan, I have several upcoming projects that I'm excited about, as they will allow me to explore even more in-depth areas of Japan. For the blog, I hope to update it soon with a massive, detailed account of a specific region in Japan.

I'm also working on the second issue of my Ryokan Wanderings Travel Series eBook, where I'll focus on a specific Onsen town. I would love to see my books in physical print someday and hope to create a mini coffee table book series.

A very new project is that hubby and I decided to take the leap to purchase an old Japanese mountain home to restore and renovate to escape the hustle and bustle of Tokyo. So for a bit of creative fun, I’ve started a YouTube Channel (and Instagram! haha) documenting this slow journey of renovation.

Instagram: @yukkurisansou

What does wellness mean to you, and did it have any role in inspiring you to start your blog?

Lia Tee: Wellness, to me, means taking care of yourself. It's a personal journey, and for me, it involves simple things like getting lost in a good book, soaking in an Onsen, sipping some sake, wandering in nature, being by the ocean, taking care of my skin, making pretty things, growing and propagating plants (there's something very satisfying about that), and traveling to see new things and hear people's stories.


Regarding Onsen:

Having had eczema as a child and experiencing the stinging sensation of soaking in saltwater baths and the ocean to help heal it, I was initially drawn to Onsen because I really, really don't like the cold. Onsen is my favourite way to endure winter. It then became more about the healing benefits for my skin, relaxation, and taking time away from the stress of work to recharge and reset.

My interest in Onsen was further solidified as some of my writing opportunities allowed me to hear the stories of local proprietors. Many Onsen ryokan are family businesses, especially in the countryside, and it was fascinating and heartwarming to hear their stories.

Do you have a daily routine? Can you share any daily practices that help you stay creative and innovative?

Lia Tee: I'll admit that I'm not a morning person, especially in winter. It takes me a while to feel human. In the morning, I usually venture down to the kitchen or living area and brew some tea, often herbal or green tea. Sometimes I make my own matcha if I'm in the mood for a longer morning wake-up and self-care moment. I don't drink coffee.

I typically have some music playing, usually from what Alexa determines as a "relaxing pop" playlist. I also have the heater on or the AC on, depending on the season. If it's especially cold, I might take a shower or a bath to wake myself up and loosen my muscles because I'm a wimp when it comes to the cold.

My mornings are usually spent in the living area, working on admin tasks, Ryokan, emails, especially if it's a Monday. After having lunch, I step into the studio downstairs and work there until dinnertime when my husband gets home.

If I'm exceptionally busy, I might go straight into the studio after my tea, have a quick lunch, then head back to the studio. I have dinner with my husband and return to the studio, often working until around midnight.

Working from home can sometimes lead to a bit of cabin fever, so I try to go for a walk or do some yoga every other day, even if it's only for a short time. Additionally, I aim to have lunch out one day every other week, whether by myself with a book or with a friend.

Music often serves as an inspiration or background to our lives. What's on your playlist these days, and does it influence your work?

Lia Tee:

I like listening to a range of differing eclectic music tastes; it keeps things interesting! I find that loving to read often goes hand in hand with enjoying lyrics and the storytelling within songs. Having multiple playlists to switch between must allows me to tailor the music to my mood and activities, which is a great way to enhance the day.

My playlists are a bit random, from Disney and movie soundtracks, to old-school classics by Fleetwood Mac and The Rolling Stones, alongside a diverse range of international music, Taylor Swift's, R&B and pop hits.

What's on the horizon for Tokyo Kaleidoscope and Ryokan Wanderings? Are there any exciting projects coming up?

Lia Tee: Tokyo Kaleidoscope always holds a sense of wonder for me. I eagerly anticipate meeting the individuals who decide to book an appointment. Each person has such interesting stories about how they reached the point they're at, and Tokyo is a melting pot of amazing individuals doing wonderful things. So, I always look forward to discovering who else I will meet on this journey.

I'm hoping to organize a sample sale because I've accumulated pieces that were essentially experiments with new and old designs. For various reasons, these are items I personally won't wear, so it's time to clear the stock. I think the last sample sale I did was about four years ago.

For Ryokan, I have the next issue of my eBook to work on. I'm also hoping to find a publisher that doesn't cost a fortune when it comes to paper and shipping, as it's currently too expensive.

I'm excited about some upcoming travel projects that will allow me to explore more areas in Japan, featuring beautiful Onsen, of course, and some incredible local stories. I'm looking forward to writing about their stories too.

Do you have advice for aspiring entrepreneurs who want to innovate and maybe start something totally new and unique like you did?

Lia Tee:

Don’t compare yourself to others, your journey is your own.

Don’t be afraid of failure, of “NO”. Take them as learning experiences and move forward.

Be grateful, and acknowledge those who supported you and may have given you an olive branch to help you get a foot in the door.

Ask SMART questions - there’s a lot of free information available on the internet - do your own due diligence and research - be considerate of another individual’s time if you need to ask questions.

Meet people from all different walks of life, and different industries. Learn from different stories, it’ll open your mind and thinking to different possibilities, different opportunities, different solutions.