— "FABRICK®" collaborates with numerous artists every year. Is there a selection criterion?

AkashiWe select them by having Watanabe present the artist names and product concepts, which I then review. However, I've never rejected an artist he's proposed.
Conversely, we also often receive proposals from artists who want to collaborate.

— When you commission designs, what kind of communication takes place?

WatanabeWe present a "theme" that allows us to leverage the artist's characteristics to some extent. For example, it might be "eco-friendly," or sometimes "water," and the themes vary. It's very rewarding to interact with artists from around the world. Also, the tendency for artists to sell well can differ by country, so instead of selling out designs each season, we've adopted a strategy of building up back stock.

For instance, while apparel typically has a lifespan of only about six months for a given season, in Europe, textiles created 50 years ago have become traditional items that are still relevant today. We want "FABRICK®" to gain that kind of lasting presence.
We hope to apply textiles to a wider range of items and create various products.

An exhibition at the shop "ACYCLE" in Harajuku

— "FABRICK®" has a style of creating various items from a single textile. Do the types of goods produced differ depending on the artist?

WatanabeAfter receiving the design sketches, we decide "we want to make this," but we also ask the artists for their requests, such as "what would be good to have?" If it seems feasible as a product, we produce it. Additionally, companies that wish to collaborate sometimes place orders to create products using our textiles. In such cases, it's very interesting because things are created that we hadn't even conceived of.


— Are there any particular challenges in the production process?

WatanabePerhaps it's that we don't know until we actually create something tangible. Even if the design or fabric seems "good," when it's made into a product, it might be a bit disappointing (laughs).
Also, artists vary, but sometimes the designs they submit based on the theme can be a bit surprising. But the artist believes it's their best work (laughs).

When things go well, they tend to proceed smoothly from the start, but when they don't, we can hit significant roadblocks even at the initial meeting stage... (laughs). Conversely, some artists just say "okay" without much input. That really depends on the artist's personality.
Also, this might not be a "challenge" per se, but we put a lot of thought into the "subtle combination" aspect. The combination of the artist's design and the material is crucial, and we agonize over whether to use printing or dyeing, or pigments. Depending on the pattern, we select materials that add a certain character, and we constantly think about how to best utilize the materials. It's like mixing music.

AkashiI think that applies to everything when it comes to creating something. Even with individual components, imagining how they'll all come together is purely speculative; you never truly know until it's done.
From my perspective, I always feel a "chemical reaction" with each MLE product, so I find myself looking forward to seeing the finished items with great interest.

Collaboration bag with "SP DESIGN" and "PORTER"

WatanabeIt was my childhood dream to work for a toy company. To now be in a profession where my past experiences in the apparel industry and then joining Medicom Toy have merged so effectively, bringing joy to customers, is truly fulfilling. I believe this is something only Medicom Toy can do, and I hope to develop this department further so that more people become aware of it and we can meet customer demands for "I want this" and "I want that."

So, if OPENERS has anything you'd like to create, please let us know!

— As an eco-initiative, I was thinking that if we could create something with organic materials with "more trees," it might develop into a great product.

AkashiThat's an interesting idea. Perhaps we could get ideas from the professor on what to make... Yes, let's definitely do it!


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