I recently spent a day in Tokyo with the dream team from Minä Perhonen.  We toured all three incredible stores and enjoyed a long lunch discussing life and design philosophies.  I have never been more inspired!  In addition, we were lucky enough to grab a few more minutes of designer Akira Minagawa’s time to get insight into the amazingly wonderful world of  Minä Perhonen. Here’s what he had to say…

What similarities do you see in Finland and Japan? The aspect that is not too ornate but of putting the value of ordinariness and function in designs which is made most of natural materials.

Tokyo vs. Kyoto? Both are national and cosmopolitan, economical side in Tokyo and cultural aspect in Kyoto.

Where does the design process for the collection start? Where do you go for inspiration? Making the poem about the esperance for the future through everyday life to start with, then express the scenery that is born in it.

How do you translate your drawings into textiles? By coming up with the scale, depth and colors that the drawing would be enhanced and decide which technique to go with; print woven, embroidery.

The brand is described as “working to produce clothes which do not lose their allure through lapse of time”. How do go about achieving this? I first question myself if what I work on could come out as timeless and meaningful one at every start of the design process. And then ask myself once again if the material I use could be the one that brings the affection or attachment to the wearer.

What other creative outlets have you explored? ceramics? furniture? etc… I hope to express the beauty of shapes and manners that is used with. I also hope to bring out the humor from the existence of the object.

Where is the collection produced? Whatever we could produce in Japan are made in Japan, but the ones that couldn’t are made in wherever the production is suitable around the world, for example, in the factories in Europe.

Come into our Cobble Hill store to see the collection!

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It was a family affair for the opening of Jessica Dessner: Travel Drawings at Bird Williamsburg.  Many friends, relatives and creative collaborators came out to support the Brooklyn-based artist, poet and dancer and to view the incredible drawings that have been in the works for two years.  Her brothers Aaron and Bryce Dessner of The National, Sufjan Stevens, New York City Ballet dancers Justin Peck and Tess Reichlen and designer Yara Flinn of Brooklyn brand Nomia all came out to celebrate spring and indulge in a bit of wanderlust through the dreamy, nature-inspired drawings. In typical Brooklyn fashion, painter Kristin Baker’s miniature blue merle border collie and a half dozen cute babies nearly stole the show!

Jessica Dessner: Travel Drawings

on view at Bird Williamsburg- through June 19th