JR Isetan Mitsukoshi Osaka: Bridal exhibition "Monsieur" featuring four male jewelry designers.

JR Osaka Mitsukoshi Isetan

Four Male Jewelry Designers Present and Sell New Bridal Works

Bridal Jewelry Exhibition "Monsieur" Held

The bridal jewelry exhibition "Monsieur," featuring Hiromichi Shimokawa of "himie," Manabu Hoshino of "geodesique," Tomohiko Furuta of "tmh.," and Ken Tahara of "Palmette"—all prominent figures in the jewelry world—will be held from Wednesday, July 6th to Sunday, July 31st, at Kaiho-ku, B1, JR Osaka Mitsukoshi Isetan.

Text by OPENERS

Bridal Jewelry Proposals from Four Male Jewelry Designers

Great East Japan EarthquakeIn the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake, an increasing number of couples are prioritizing marriage with someone with whom they can share both joy and hardship. This has led to a stronger desire for bridal jewelry that reflects their unique individuality, rather than settling for conventional designs.

Against this backdrop, this exhibition showcases the distinctive jewelry of four active male jewelry designers, embodying the concept of bridal jewelry led by men, who tend to be more reserved than women.

Each designer will also present a one-of-a-kind ring pillow, conceived as an art piece that can be displayed in a room or used as a decorative element in wedding ceremonies.

Hiromichi Shimokawa (himie)
Born in Tokyo in 1973. After graduating from the Japan Dental University School of Dental Technology in 1996, he began making jewelry independently. He has exhibited at "rooms" and "Design Tide (Tide Market)" and held several "himie" exhibitions at Isetan Shinjuku and Matsuya Ginza.
Established himie. Launched a bridal line exclusively for the bridal corner on the first floor of Isetan Shinjuku. In 2011, opened a permanent store at JR Osaka Mitsukoshi Isetan.

Manabu Hoshino (geodesique)
Born in Shizuoka Prefecture in 1969. After graduating from Hiko Mizuno College of Jewelry, he joined Geodesique. In 2011, he became a designer and launched the "Mill Plateau" collection, featuring a unique scratch technique.
GEODESIQUE debuted in Paris in 1996. With the motto "Clementia in Potentia - The power of caring for others," and based on the belief that a brand only becomes established after 100 years, all processes are carried out in their own atelier. It was launched at Isetan Shinjuku in 1997, and in 2010, the conceptual boutique & gallery "Geodesique" opened in Nakameguro. In 2011, they opened a store at JR Osaka Mitsukoshi Isetan, where they handle not only their own brand but also the planning and operation of Kaiho-ku.

Tomohiko Furuta (tmh.)
Born in Tokyo in 1975. Studied jewelry design and making both in Japan and abroad. After returning from Florence, Italy, he began working under the name tmh. in 2001.
In 2009, he opened tmh. SLEEP (shop/atelier) in Ebisu. His philosophy is to draw design inspiration from classical periods, from ancient Rome to antiques, and then add wit to create contemporary pieces.

Ken Tahara (Palmette)
Born in Tokyo in 1972. After graduating from Hiko Mizuno College of Jewelry, he began designing and producing accessories as a freelancer. In 2009, he launched the women's accessory brand "Palmette."
Palmette signifies accessories that combine two seemingly opposing yet inseparable elements: simplicity and decorativeness, tradition and contemporaneity.

Exhibition "Monsieur"
Period: Wednesday, July 6, 2011 - Sunday, July 31, 2011
Opening Hours: 10:00 - 20:30
JR Osaka Mitsukoshi Isetan B1 Kaiho-ku
3-1-3 Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka
http://osaka.wjr-isetan.co.jp/