Eiko Ishioka

I'd never heard of her until yesterday.

It was in a review of Cirque du Soleil's new show, "Varekai."

The reviewer, Peter Marks of the Washington Post, couldn't stop talking about the spectacular costumes of the performers, designed by Ishioka.

Who is she?

Well, for one thing, she's considered Japan's greatest living designer.

In 1965, at age 26, she became the the first and only woman ever to be awarded the Japan Advertising Artist Club Prize.

In 1975, she became Issey Miyake's boutique designer.

In 1984, she won a special Jury Prize at Cannes for her designs for the play "Mishima."

In 1988 she won a Tony Award for best costume design for the play "M. Butterfly," as well as a Grammy for the cover of Miles Davis' album.

In 1992, she won the Academy Award for best costume design.

So that's who Eiko Ishioka is.