Maiko Suzuki was born in Tokyo , Japan, on Dec 9th, 1977. Growing up in the family of graphic designers, she developed an early talent for drawing and painting.
Right after the high school Maiko had moved to New York to pursue graphic design study, first at the Rhode Island School of design and than Parsons School of Design which she graduated in 2001 with the degree in Communication Design.

After completing her education Maiko remained in New York and establishing herself as the freelance graphic designer specialising in illustrations.

In 2002 Maiko was granted a rare opportunity to become an in house designer for an unique and stylish Harlem based store XUKUMA where she created the signature design brand.Her Afrocentric " Soul Sistar " graphics of store's own branded T-Shirts brought Maiko an international recognition. The "Soul Sistar " T-shirt line became the best selling item in Harlem's retail stores.

Besides her work at XUKUMA , Maiko Suzuki continues to work as an outside graphic designer/ image creator for a variety of well established as well as new up and coming Harlem based businesses.