Born in Tokyo to a Japanese mother and a Swiss father, Kazu Huggler was raised in both Japan and Switzerland.

After completing the International Baccalaureate in Zurich, she studied at Tokyo’s Keio University and graduated with a degree in Japanese History of Art and Aesthetics. Huggler then enrolled in the Swiss University of Art and Design Hochschule für Gestaltung, and completed her studies at the London’s Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design. In London, Kazu apprenticed with Vivienne Westwood.

In 2003, Kazu Huggler founded her own fashion label KAZU, which is strongly influenced by the Japanese kimono and ancient textile designs as well as traditional Japanese philosophies of dressing. Kazu Huggler’s creations are aimed at customers worldwide, but are produced in her own Atelier and in Switzerland.

Kazu has repeatedly showcased her artistic and her couture creations in art museums. She celebrated the 10 years anniversary of KAZU with a fashion show at the Nezu Museum in Tokyo. On the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the diplomatic relationship between Japan and Switzerland, she gave a talk and fashion show at the Residence of the Swiss embassy in Tokyo. Her imperial highness empress Michiko was among the guests. In Zurich, she has presented her creations at the Museum Bellerive (2013), the Haus Konstruktiv (2015), the Museum Rietberg (2016) and lately, in the frame of the Zürcher Festspiele, at Kunsthaus Zurich (2018).

Since March 2011, she has been actively involved in restoration projects in the north of Japan and has donated Bernina sewing machines to high schools hit by the disaster. Kazu has also committed to the long-term support of the citizens of Rikuzen Takata region in Iwate Prefecture and founded a non-profit organisation Three Cranes Association.