Left: "Flower Embossed Leather Travel Bag" ¥220,500
Right: "Flower Embossed Leather Travel Bag Suitcase Cover" ¥355,950 (L&KONDO)

Inspired by "Dubai"

Masafumi SuzukiI heard the theme of this L&KONDO exhibition is "Dubai." How do you express that?

Kaneyoshi KondoThat's a difficult question (laughs). For example, the biggest hassle at the baggage claim carousel at the airport is not being able to identify your own luggage. I disliked that, so I made a leather cover for my "RIMOWA." It got official approval from "RIMOWA." We've also decided to sell it at Isetan Men's Building.

SuzukiWhen it comes to travel bags, I hate pulling wheeled luggage. Even a heavy trunk or a Boston bag can be managed if you put it on a trolley. I currently use a red "Globe-Trotter" trunk.

KondoWhy do you hate wheeled luggage?

SuzukiFor a man, it feels a bit pathetic, and most people walk slowly with them, so they get in the way. When I'm walking briskly down a path, they're rolling along (laughs). I prefer carrying my bags. I think it looks cooler to carry them.

At the L&KONDO Showroom

KondoI see (laughs).

SuzukiWhat other products will you be showcasing?

KondoDubai has a level of craziness that I can hardly imagine, and that inspired me to think about how to display diamonds. This is it. It would be wonderful to have this "Diamond Coaster" appear at a restaurant. For birthdays or anniversaries. It's unthinkable in the ordinary world, but it's plausible for VIP service in Dubai. I made this to propose such an idea.

"Platinum Diamond Coaster" ¥3,465,000 (L&KONDO)

Let's Play as Adults

KondoAlso, at the exhibition, I plan to use "KAPLA," a French toy that resembles building blocks, to create an image of Dubai.

SuzukiAre these wooden pieces?

KondoYes. They are slender pieces of white wood, with each piece formed in the golden ratio of 1:3:15. They are fundamentally educational toys for children, but I'm thinking of painting them black and creating something with them.

SuzukiWhat do you plan to make?

KondoIn collaboration with the French wooden blocks, Kapla, I'm thinking of having them create mosques and the like.

SuzukiWith these, you could create architectural models, couldn't you?

KondoThe originator of "Kapla," Tom Brugge, seems to be an architect as well.

SuzukiUsing these, one could become an architect. Though it would probably be quite difficult.

KondoAdults tend to assemble them rigidly so they don't fall apart, but if you have a flexible mind, you can stack them delicately and enjoy the process of them collapsing. Dubai doesn't have earthquakes, so architects apparently favor building there.

Top: "É FATTA Tote Bag" ¥45,150, Bottom: "É FATTA Shoulder Bag" ¥56,700 (L&KONDO)

"É FATTA Clutch Bag" ¥40,950 (L&KONDO)

SuzukiIt's become like a global architecture exhibition venue now. Ferrari chairman Montezemolo has homes in Capri and Dubai, and he says Dubai is a perfect environment for family trips. He suggested I get a place in Dubai too, but he doesn't understand my circumstances (laughs).

KondoI think it will be an interesting exhibition, so please come.

SuzukiThank you.

Exhibition Announcement

Exhibition Dubai × 1

DatesJuly 20 (Fri) - 25 (Wed), 2007

Time12:00 - 19:00 (Until 17:00 on the final day, the 25th)

Locationloree Rodkin Ginza Main Store

1-6-15 Ginza Sakuraim Bldg. B1, Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo

Tel: 090-4259-7840 (Exhibition period only)

For details, please visit the L&KONDO HP

http://l-kondo.com