We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Mariko Ladrillono a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Mariko, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?

People often struggle with pronouncing my business name—Nine Kole. It’s pronounced as “Nine” (like the number) and “Kole” (coal-ay, not Cole). Kole is a fish endemic to Hawaiʻi and one of my favorites to catch and eat.

I fell in love with spearfishing during COVID while in Hawaiʻi. There’s something empowering about being able to catch your own meal and share it with friends and family. Kole, in particular, is often enjoyed at parties and celebrations, and I love how this fish brings joy to me and my community. It felt like the perfect representation of how I feel when I create with flowers—bringing joy and connection. So there it is.

And why Nine? It’s my favorite number!

Mariko, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

We specialize in creating floral designs for events that tell a story unique to each client. We love when our clients leave a little (or a lot) of creative space for us to figure out how we can bring something unique to your setting—whether working with flowers, foliage, or unexpected elements like vegetables or even fish! Flowers are beautiful on their own, but we also like to explore the overlooked beauty in other materials to create designs that feel personal and meaningful to you.

Have you ever had to pivot?

In my early career, I experimented with different styles to show potential clients that I could create anything—even designs I didn’t personally connect with. But I quickly realized that while these attempts brought in more inquiries, they left me feeling frustrated and disconnected from my work. While not every project allows complete creative freedom, I decided to focus on understanding my clients’ needs while still creating designs that feel authentic to me. This shift not only brought more joy to my work but also started to attract clients who resonate with my style.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I have so many goals, but if I had to pick one, it would be creating a large-scale event back home in Japan. I might be biased, but I truly believe Japan grows some of the most beautiful flowers in the world. The care that goes into growing and transporting them is incredible, and it inspires me to dream of designing an event with these flowers. On top of that, Japan offers so many stunning locations that are perfect for unique events. So, if you’re considering getting married in Japan, please reach out—I’d love to help bring your vision to life!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ninekole.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ninekole/

Image Credits

Photo2,3,4 : Brancoprata
Photo6,7 : Ashley Purple
Photo1,5,8,9 : Nine Kole