About Yoko Katz

  • Economics Professor at Fashion Institute of Technology 

  • Fashion Economist

  • Breast Cancer Survivor / Recurrence Fighter (Stage 4)

  • Hat and Clothes Designer

YOKO, FASHION, and LIFE BEYOND CANCER DIAGNOSIS

Yoko Katz (Katagiri)

From: Nagoya, Japan, and currently live in New York

  • 1995: One year high school exchange program in Virginia.

  • 1999: One year exchange program to Universite de Paris.

  • 2001: Graduated from Rikkyo University (St. Paul’s University) in Tokyo.

  • 2001: Moved in New York and currently lives with her husband, a son, and two dogs.

  • 2004: Adjunct lecturer at Queens College, City University of New York

  • 2008: Started working at Fashion Institute of Technology (New York)

  • 2014: 1st diagnosis of Breast Cancer Stage 1 (Triple Positive)

  • 2016: PhD in Economics from The Graduate Center, City University of New York.

    “Firms’ Decisions to Enter a Market of Highly Differentiated Products: Apparel Industry and New York Fashion Week.”

  • 2018: CEO of Heal in Heels and CEO and a hat designer of Hats by Yoko Katz

  • 2019: 2nd diagnosis Stage 4

  • 2023: 3rd diagnosis metastasized to her brain

  • 2024: 4th diagnosis (every 3 weeks chemotherapy treatment forever!)

Fashion Economics

Profile as a professor at Fashion Institute of Technology

Hats by Yoko Katz

The power of fashion, The power for your life

Follow my journey, updated on the Instagram.

Current Health Status.

As of 2024: Breast Cancer Stage 4

(Estrogen, Progesterone, and HER2 positive)

Every 3 weeks of the following set treatment FOREVER!

  • Herceptin (a shot on my thigh)

  • Tukysa (twice daily, everyday)

  • Capacitabine (Twice daily, 2 weeks on and 1 week off)

CT scan on my brain, and PET for the body every 3 to 6 months.

Follow my social media for updates: