Spring-like Colors, Yellow-Green is the Theme Color

—Congratulations on the “ISETAN LIVING×HIROCOLEDGE” exhibition.

HIROKO TAKAHASHIThank you.
I was a little moved when I saw all the products lined up (laughs).
I have a deep affection for each and every product, and I haven't cut any corners, so we were able to introduce a lot of content, including the production process, on OPENERS.
The OPENERS series will remain a valuable record for both myself and the Isetan Living buyers.

—The colors have a sense of unity and seem easy to combine in daily life.

Of course, I would be happy if customers could choose what they like and buy it as they please, but I do want them to enjoy coordinating the items.
I create the overall collection with coordination in mind, both in terms of color and design.

—Color is important, isn't it?

For “ISETAN LIVING×HIROCOLEDGE,” we started by imagining white rooms in homes—living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens—and thinking about what would be fun to have there.
With yellow-green as the theme color, we combined spring-like hues, but we went through a lot of trial and error with the colors and patterns.

—HIROCOLEDGE is characterized by bolder color combinations, isn't it?

That's right. My work often features strong colors, but the only black I could use was the black of leather and lacquer (laughs).
For the color combinations, I subtly adjusted them to match the materials and items, even if they appear to be the same color. For items with strong textures, like woven fabrics or towels, I kept the colors subdued to emphasize the texture.
Regarding the patterns, they are my usual circles and straight lines, but I repeatedly made micro-adjustments to fit the size of the item and the technique used, and then designed them.

—This is also a delightful selection for fans of HIROCOLEDGE.

For those who have been wanting my kimonos and yukatas, I hope they will cherish these items that can be kept close at hand every day.
With kimonos, there are often limited opportunities or occasions to wear them, but a notebook, for example, can become a catalyst for daily communication. In that sense, I am grateful to have been able to create such a variety of items.

It Made Me Happy When the Artisans Said, “It Was Good to Be Able to Create Together”

—We hope people will enjoy your designs in this “ISETAN LIVING×HIROCOLEDGE” exhibition.

This is my first time producing and selling original products at a department store, and I was delighted that the Isetan buyers didn't perceive my designs solely as traditional Japanese.
My designs tend to be seen as Japanese-style, but for example, with tableware, don't people generally not think much about "Japanese vs. Western"?

—Indeed, we often mix Japanese and Western tableware on the dining table.

Exactly. While categories like Japanese and Western tableware are convenient classifications in departments like Isetan Living, the users themselves don't consciously distinguish between them.
The distinction between "kimono and Western clothing" is purely a matter of perception, but they are treated as vastly different. If people could switch their mindset as easily as they do when choosing tableware, I believe they would enjoy wearing kimonos just as much.

—Which of the "Only I" products in this collection do you feel turned out particularly well?

I wrote "Secret" on my blog (laughs).
Of course, I love them all, but I have a particular fondness for Japanese paper (washi). This time, I had the opportunity to meet and speak with the artisans in person, which was deeply moving. I really hope everyone gets to touch the products.
It truly made me happy when the artisans said, “It was good to be able to create together.”
Factories and workshops are enjoyable places. What is commonplace for artisans is incredibly fresh and fascinating to us, and we encountered moments where something wonderful was born.
This time, we are collaborating with 13 manufacturers, and I wanted to be by their side, to see everything.
Even with this kind of manufacturing, if manufacturers and artisans could influence each other more, share their techniques, and collaborate, something entirely new would surely emerge.

—That will be valuable for your future activities.

I always wanted to be involved in everything related to food, clothing, and shelter.
Ideally, I'd even like to work on architecture (laughs), but being able to be involved with living items as a first step is a significant experience.

—The buyers also played a significant role this time.

It's unusual to have a project that focuses on buyers in this way.
Buyers are positioned close to the customers. From our perspective, we'd prefer them to be closer to the creators, but this time they also came closer to us, and I recognized their crucial role in connecting the creators and the users.

—It's until the 17th at The Stage #5.

Each product will subsequently be available for sale in its respective category's sales area.
If there's anything you particularly like, I hope you'll use it for a long time.

“ISETAN LIVING×HIROCOLEDGE”
The Stage #5, 5th Floor, Isetan Shinjuku Main Building
Until March 17th (Tuesday)



Isetan Shinjuku
Tel. 03-3352-1111
www.isetan.co.jp/