Opening Traditions is a collaborative project between designers Makiko Shinoda (JP), Emilie Pallard (FR) and Niels Heymans (NL). For a period of two years the three investigated the craft of Kurume Kasuri*.
With Opening Traditions, the designers shed a new light on this traditional technique. They created a distinctive colour scheme of twelve hues which generate a wide range of tones when woven. This broad palette, inspired by the Japanese landscape, is a significant departure from the usual indigo and white that is used for the traditional fabrics. The design is built up from a smart, shifting pattern that enables a longer repeat, cleverly working with the 24 cm limitation of the warp repeat. The designers intend to use the fabric in the design of their own garments, opening up the Kurume Kasuri technique to a new audience.Photography by Jeroen van der Wielen
Photography by Niels Heymans
Photography by Jeroen van der Wielen
Photography by Jeroen van der Wielen
Photography by Jeroen van der Wielen
A collaboration with Unagi-no-nedoko, a shop focused on protecting the crafts in the region of Fukuoka in Kyushu.
This project is part of Holland-Kyushu.
Supported by:
Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Japan
DutchCulture
Stimuleringsfonds Creative Industrie
Unagi-no-nedoko
Text by Sander Manse