Brand Story
A major characteristic of our brand is the ability to express delicate textures through metalworking techniques using casting, so we design with an awareness of creating textures that make the most of that strength.
An interview with Yasuhisa Obata and Yukiko Obata of kikiki optique, an eyewear brand based in Okachimachi, Tokyo—an area known for its long-standing tradition of metal engraving and jewelry making.
In this interview, we had the privilege of speaking with Yin Year designers Haruki Ikete and Kiwamu Hirasawa about the story behind the brand's establishment, their preference for black frame colors, the reasons for choosing celluloid materials, and the inspiration behind their refined and artistic video productions.
Padd design LLC, based in Kagawa Prefecture, presents three original brands: PADMA IMAGE, N PRODUCT, and tico chouette. We interviewed Meiji Hasui, the designer of these brands, about the background of the brand launches, his commitment to design, and thoughts on his hometown of Kagawa Prefecture, where his atelier is located.
Pitot, a new and innovative eyewear brand, was launched in 2023 by director and designer Shono Watanabe. In this exclusive interview, Watanabe shares his journey into eyewear design, his sources of inspiration, and his vision for the future of the brand, including the new autumn 2024 frame, "SCHLUMBERGERA I", inspired by the Christmas cactus.
While incorporating traditional craft techniques, Kitamura seeks new forms of expression. Under the concept of "Eyewear Craftsmanship x Traditional Crafts incorporating the Essence of Chemistry" he launched tsugái eyewear in 2024. This interview delves into tsugái eyewear's designs, Kitamura's experiences as a craftsman in both Japan and France, and his future aspirations.
From the conception of ideas, creation of prototypes, making rubber molds, brazing, sanding, and assembly... as we toured the workshop, we could sense that each step of the process was infused with both technical expertise and heartfelt dedication.
