Fashion collection by SHIMA-SHIMA

In April 2014, SHIMA-SHIMA launched a collection created by 2 young Japanese designers who currently work in Paris. The apparel by Hans Ito and hats by [ Xi by N ] were on shown at Ginza Mitsukoshi and Shinjuku Isetan.

The show was a great success, attended by many visitors, and much of the collection sold out during the event.

Kyoko
Milano, July 09, 2014

SHIMA-SHIMA in design magazines

SHIMA-SHIMA has been featured recently in prestigious design magazines.

Wallpaper selected #44 Night from our LIV collection for their April 2014 issue, with a floor-to-ceiling curtain in an elegant setting created by works designed in Japan.

In June, the Swedish magazine Sköna Hem had an article on interior designer Paolo Badesco and architect Costantino Affuso’s beautiful apartment in Milan. Paolo and Costantino have been a great support to SHIMA-SHIMA for several years, we are happy to see that they have placed our cushions in their home.

Kyoko
Milano, July 08, 2014

LIV Collection #44 Night

Swedish magazine Sköna Hem

The Art of Japanese Folding & Wrapping

Japan has a very distinctive style of wrapping, using various materials, such as paper, fabric, and even leaves to wrap foods. Origami (the art of paper-folding) is popular all over the world, and has been applied to design, apparel, and architecture. However, origami actually evolved from “origata”, the formal art of gift wrapping.

When I visited the SHIMA-SHIMA shop in Kokura, a staff member demonstrated how to gift-wrap a box the Japanese way, folding the paper diagonally. The art of gift wrapping is called “origata”, which originated around the 15th century and was used by the aristocracy and high-ranking samurai families to wrap gifts to honour the recipient. It was thought that the way the gift is wrapped is as important as the actual gift.

Whilst in Kokura, I visited Kokura Caste Japanese Garden, which was holding a exhibit of “mizuhiki”, which are knotted cords that decorate gifts. In the west ribbons are used to decorate gifts, and in Japan “mizuhiki” are created in specific shapes to commemorate special occasions.

You have no doubt noticed that SHIMA-SHIMA’s products also incorporate the concept of folding. The Stella bag is an example of “origami”, the bottom is actually a triangle of folded fabric. Our “furoshiki”, which are squares of fabric, can be used as scarves, to wrap gifts, or to be used as a portable tote bag.

origata

School of origami
http://www.yamane-origata.com/?page_id=64

mizuhiki

origami

Kyoko
Milano, June 29, 2014

furoshiki

Stella bag