Shiro Kuramata (1934 - 1991), born 1934 in Tokyo, studied architecture at the Tokyo Institute of Technology before training as a cabinetmaker at the Kuwasawa Institute of Design in Tokyo.

He worked for the firm San-Ai from 1957-64 and founded his own firm, Kuramata Design Office, in Tokyo in 1965.

During the 1970s he focussed his attention increasingly on furniture design. With pieces for Memphis in Milan, among others, Kuramata's designs drew a great deal of attention, particularly due to the unusual selection and combination of materials.

He worked closely with Issey Miyake during the 1980s, creating several boutiques for the fashion designer.