About
The Vision
What if a brand's product could be not only beautiful, but meaningful?
What if its assembly could change the course of someone’s life, or the economy of a country?
What if it could be designed with the intention of longevity?
Designer, CEO and founder Eriko Yamaguchi has spent the last two decades proving that a brand can produce beautiful, high-quality items in a sustainable, ethical manner while also uplifting the economies of developing countries.
The Confidence to Succeed
Designer, founder and CEO Eriko Yamaguchi became interested in policies to benefit developing countries while studying toward a career in politics at Keio University in Tokyo.
In Washington, D.C., she completed an internship at the Inter-American Development bank to pursue her growing interest in providing aid to developing countries.
With corruption so often rampant in economically challenged countries, she wondered how it might be possible for foreign aid to truly benefit the populations of these countries.
"Does international aid really reach the people who need it? I needed to know for myself."
- Eriko Yamaguchi
The Mission
Fueled by a passion to spark change in the poorest country in Asia, Yamaguchi traveled to Bangladesh to earn a master’s degree in Development Studies at the BRAC University. Yamaguchi was amazed by the volume of international buyers coming to Bangladesh to produce goods at the lowest price possible as well as by the enormous potential to spark economic change in Bangladesh.
The country is rich in natural materials and expertise in craftsmanship; however, the working conditions in most factories were shockingly bad.
Yamaguchi wanted to find a solution to improve the lives of workers in Bangladesh and economically change the country for the better.
She made it her mission to start a brand producing stylish and well-made products in Bangladesh using locally sourced materials and employing local artisans in safe, comfortable work environments.
This was how the iconic brand Motherhouse was started in 2006, when Yamaguchi was 26 years old.
Having no previous experience with selling accessories or handbags, Yamaguchi originally cold-called buyers at department stores in an attempt to sell the brand’s first production of 160 bags.
Upon her first meeting with a buyer at a major department store and sharing her philosophy for the brand, the buyer commented, “This is interesting.”
All 160 bags sold out within 2 months.
The Challenges
Over the course of the next year, Yamaguchi’s plan to produce the brand’s first collection of bags was threatened by political unrest and violent uprisings in Bangladesh. She also faced challenges in establishing solid business relationships with local partners.
But Yamaguchi remained driven to manifest her vision, and Motherhouse produced its Spring 2007 Collection. The collection was featured in a story by one of Japan’s biggest newspapers, which resulted in a large volume of orders from department stores.
The first Motherhouse store was opened in Tokyo in August of 2007, and Yamaguchi’s success has grown steadily since then.
Unwavering Commitment
As the Motherhouse and Eriko Yamaguchi brands have grown, Yamaguchi has remained true to her original vision of ethically sustainable production.
At each of the factories where the brand’s items are produced, great care is put into developing work processes shaped by the local culture and lifestyle. Employees have access to welfare programs including medical checkups and health insurance, and they are eligible for performance-based promotions in addition to earning pensions.
Yamaguchi visits the brand’s factories on a monthly basis and works directly with production staff on new designs.
Designed to Last
Through both Motherhouse and Eriko Yamaguchi brands, Yamaguchi aims to counter fast fashion trends by creating products designed to age beautifully so they can be treasured for a lifetime.
Leather items can be brought to store locations in Japan for restoration services as part of the brand's "Social Vintage" program.
Items that have outlived their usefulness can be returned to any Motherhouse store to be recycled into the brand’s Rinne collection of handbags and totes — not yet available in the US.
As part of our brand philosophy to embrace sourcing that respectfully reflects local customs, our leather is ethically sourced during the local Eid festivities in Bangladesh.
Since its launch, Motherhouse has grown to operate 58 stores in Japan and 2 overseas.
The company operates 5 factories in developing countries, which produce accessories, bags, jewelry, and apparel that reflect Eriko’s deep commitment to craftsmanship and purpose.
The Eriko Yamaguchi brand was launched in 2019 to reflect Eriko’s personal design philosophy, and in 2025, the Eriko Yamaguchi brand debuted an e-commerce website in the United States.
