2016 : 150th anniversary of Japan ～ Italy relations

150 years ago, on August 25, 1866, Japan and Italy signed a treaty which initiated diplomatic relations between the two countries. During its long history, there have been exchanges in many fields such as politics, economy and culture, maintaining good relations throughout the years, and enjoying strong ties to this day.

During EXPO Milano 2015, the Japan Pavilion was awarded Gold Medal in exhibition design. In October, at the closing of the event, there were record numbers of visitors who wanted to see the pavilion, standing in queue for over 10 hours. The people of Milano have always held an interest in Japanese culture. Every year in April, the world’s largest furniture ~ design fair, Salone Internazionale del Mobile di Milano, is held in this city, with many Japanese companies and designers in participation.

Kokura Creation’s SHIMA-SHIMA collection has shown at Salone three times in the past, and this year for the 55th edition of Salone, we will be at the University of Milano (Statale) location which is coordinated by INTERNI magazine. What better way to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Japan ~ Italy relations, and the 400th year of Kokura fabrics, revived by Kokura Stripes Japan!

Kyoko
Milano, Jan 29, 2016

Holiday season in Milano

It has been a fairly warm this winter, a wonderful season to walk around the city to enjoy the holiday illuminations. Here are some scenes from Naviglio Grande canal, and the new Darsena area. There is an ice-skate rink this year, and canoe rides with participants dressed up like Santa. And the many restaurants and casual bars that offer “happy hour”, some on land and some on the canal, are especially festive this time of year.

Corso Como is another nice place to visit, with beautifully decorated shops and restaurants. Milano will be in a festive mood until the end of the first week of January !

Kyoko
Milano, Jan 1, 2016

darsena

darsena

naviglio

naviglio

naviglio

naviglio

corso como

corso como

Christmas in Milano !

Kyoko
Milano, Dec 21, 2015

via gesu’

cartier

serapian

prada

bottega veneta

etro

prada

add

cova

marchesi

gucci

valentino

fratelli rossetti

dolce gabbana

dolce gabbana

via della spiga

via della spiga

Oh bej! Oh bej! and Christmas Festivities in Milano

Oh bej! Oh bej! is an outdoor Christmas market that takes place from December 5~8. This market was established in 1510, to celebrate Sant’ Ambrogio, the patron saint of Milano. “Oh bej! Oh bej!” means “how nice! how nice!” in Milan dialect, to express the delight of the children upon seeing the sweets and other goods that were sold at this fair. Nowadays, the vendors still sell the same kinds of sweets that were sold in the past.

Also at Piazza Duomo is the annual Christmas Market, which sells foods and gifts, continuing through January 6, 2016. Piazza Duomo, Galleria and Piazza Scala are beautifully decorated. There are many special concerts and exhibitions during the holiday season.

Kyoko
Milano, Dec 21, 2015

oh bej oh bej

oh bej oh bej

oh bej oh bej

oh bej oh bej

oh bej oh bej

Piazza Duomo

Piazza Duomo

Duomo mercato

mercato

porchetta

Galleria Vittorio Emmanuele

rinascente

mercato

Villa Necchi Campiglio, Milano

Villa Necchi Campiglio is one of several grand homes in Milano that are open for public viewing.  It was constructed between 1932 ~ 1935 by Piero Portaluppi, an eminent Milanese architect.  Villa Necchi belonged to an upper middle class family of the Lombardia region, who were patrons of fine architecture, furnishings and art. The villa is surrounded by a large garden with a pool at the front, and has a small restaurant where one can enjoy a quiet moment in the center of the Milano.

site:

http://www.visitfai.it/villanecchi/?lang=eng

Address:

Via Mozart 14, Milano

Tel: 02 76340121

The family is connected with Necchi, an Italian company founded in the mid-1800’s, that manufactured various machinery.  Necchi at one time was the largest manufacturer of sewing machines in Italy.  The Japanese sewing machine company Janome now manufactures the Necchi brand.

Kyoko

Milano,  Nov 25, 2015

Triennale di Milano, The New Vocabulary of Italian Fashion, Nov 24, 2015 ～ Mar 6, 2016

On Nov 23, there was an opening party for a new exhibit that showcases the world of Italian fashion from 1998 to present. An intriguing journey in time of “Made in Italy” fashion, from clothing, shoes, hats, eye glasses, jewellery to illustration. The exhibit is divided into installations that show different design perspectives, divided into categories such as Material, Construction, Adornment, Detail.

http://www.triennale.org/en/exhibitions/present/4230-il-nuovo-vocabolario-della-moda-italiana-en#.VlR7zrSgo3Y

Curated by Paola Bertola and Vittorio Linfante
Exhibition Design: Martino Berghinz
Graphic Design: Zetalab

Triennale was absolutely packed with people who appeared to be from the fashion industry, as well as curious ordinary people and small children. It is well worth a visit to see how the tradition of Italian fashion continues to evolve in such a free and innovative manner.

Kyoko

Milano, Nov 25, 2015

Mosaicodigitale x SHIMA-SHIMA, Gravina, Italy

Mosaicodigitale is an award-winning resin-tile product, made in Gravina, a town that is near Matera, the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Mr Salvatore Pepe, president and owner of Mosaicodigitale, is very enthusiastic about the collaboration between his company and SHIMA-SHIMA. Prototypes of the tiles were shown at the SHIMA-SHIMA show at Isetan this March, after which production samples were shown at Interior LifeStyle Show in June.

Mosaicodigitale can be custom-ordered through Kokura Creation. It is possible to order tiles in any of the SHIMA-SHIMA fabric designs, in any shape and size. Please contact Kokura Creations for details.

Kyoko
Milano, June 29, 2015

Mosaicodigitale at Interior Lifestyle Show 2015

Mosaicodigitale

Gravina

Gravina

Gravina

Matera

Matera

Interior Lifestyle Show, June 10～12, Tokyo

This year, SHIMA-SHIMA presented a new line of fabrics and products. Also featured were the Hans Wegner “Circle Chair’ from Denmark, and a collection of Mosaicodigitale resin-tiles made in Italy, printed with SHIMA-SHIMA fabric designs.

The Circle Chair and Mosaicodigitale tiles can be custom-ordered though Kokura Creation. The other products are readily available through our shops and internet site.

http://shima-shima.jp/en/about

Kyoko
Milano, June 10, 2015

Hans Wegner “Circle Chair”

Mosaicodigitale

Mosaicodigitale