Issey Miyake (born 22 April 1938 as San Zhai Yi Sheng, Miyake Issei) is a Japanese fashion designer. He is well-known for his technologically advanced apparel designs, exhibits, and scents such as L'eau d'Issey, which has become his most well-known product. Issey Miyake started out at the age of 21 when he opened his own menswear store in Tokyo's fashionable Omotesando area. Shortly after opening his own shop, he was approached by a representative from the French luxury goods company Lanvin who invited him to come work with them in their Paris office. Issey accepted the offer and moved to France where he worked under the direction of Christian Dior and other leading designers before being promoted to head designer at Lanvin itself. In 1970, he returned to Japan to set up his own brand. Today, Issey Miyake designs clothes for women and men that are popular with a younger audience who appreciate his use of technology and innovative design. He has been cited as an influence on many later designers including Marc Newson, Philippe Starck, and Yves Saint Laurent. Issey Miyake is married to Ritsuko Miyake with whom he has two children. The couple runs their family business together while Ritsuko handles the daily operations. Issey spends much of his time abroad traveling for work and designing new collections.