In 2001, the Hino & Malee women’s fashion company closed its doors as its founders, Kazuyoshi Hino and Malee Chompoo, chose to retire. This married couple, who started their minimalist apparel line in 1980, gained recognition for their Asian-inspired, clean-lined fashion designs. By 1987, their Hino & Malee label was achieving over $10 million in wholesale sales, earning it a reputation as one of the most successful women’s high-fashion design companies in the United States. Their clothesline was available in over 430 stores across the U.S., including prestigious stores such as I. Magnin, Bonwit Teller, and Stanley Korshak. Despite their success, the couple always maintained a low profile, differentiating themselves from other trained designers who often moved to New York to help grow their fashion lines. The closure of Hino & Malee came as a surprise in 2001, as their business was thriving, with their last year achieving the highest growth in sales in the company’s history; closing on a high. Ballin’s Ltd. is honored to be a part of Hino & Malee’s relaunch of their Fall 2023 collection, highlighting the basics they were known for.
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