A woman standing on a sidewalk in front of a brick building, wearing traditional Japanese clothing mixed with modern fashion. She has sunglasses, a black jacket, and colorful patterned kimono pants, and is holding a white handbag with black spots.

About Aine

The Suit and the Kimono

I'm Miki. For over 25 years, I worked in the fast-paced financial services industry, managing processes, people, and complex projects. I worked in teams across Japan, the United States, the UK and Switzerland in Operations, Technology, Finance, Legal and Asset Management. By every external “key performance indicator” I was doing well, but all through those years, something else kept tugging at me.

Growing up between Japan and the United States sparked a lifelong appreciation for Japanese philosophy and craftsmanship. What began as navigating identity became the backbone of my beliefs, and my sanctuary throughout my corporate career. Once I jumped into the world of kimono, I knew I had found the missing part of the puzzle in my life.

Now is the time to bring those two worlds together.

That is why I founded Aine (藍音) — "indigo tone" — my connection to home and heritage, and the brand for two streams of work.

As an Experiential Team Development Practitioner, I help corporate leaders empower their teams for accelerated performance.

As a Japanese Cultural Ambassador and a trained kimono stylist, I invite you to join me for a journey of camaraderie and self-discovery.

Close-up of black and gray hair extensions hanging in a row, with a blurred background of a room with wooden walls and windows.
Black and white photograph of a man and a woman dressed in traditional Japanese clothing, sitting on a sofa in a room with wood-paneled walls. The man is wearing glasses and a kimono, and the woman is wearing a kimono with a brocade pattern, holding her hands in her lap.

Our Vision

At Aine, our vision is to bring the depth of Japanese tradition into modern life, creating space for teams to build genuine connection with each other, and for individuals to reconnect with themselves.

Meaningful experiences don't happen by accident. They come from stepping into grounded, intentional spaces, whether that space is a team workshop or a quiet afternoon spent dressing in kimono.

We deliver this vision through our authentic cultural experiences.

1. Business Lab | Experiential Team Development

I know firsthand why newly formed teams struggle, and it's rarely a lack of skill; it's the time it takes to build trust, adaptability, and psychological safety. In the Business Lab, Teams experience Japanese culture while building genuine connections that go far beyond a classical classroom or team-building session.

2. Kimono Lab | Personal Enrichment & Self-Fulfillment

Kimono Lab is designed for individuals seeking personal distinction, creative connection, or something entirely new. In kimono, everyone looks extraordinary, and once you learn to dress yourself, that becomes something you gave yourself. Kimono Lab is where you unveil your light, few hours that belong to you entirely.

Ready to connect?

Whether you need to align your corporate team faster or want to unlock the potential of your personal kimono journey, let’s talk.

Book a discovery call