Isetan Mitsukoshi Design Week 2013 kicked off on the 23rd at Isetan Mitsukoshi's three flagship stores (Isetan Shinjuku, Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store, and Ginza Mitsukoshi). The highlight of the event was Isetan Shinjuku's main event, "Fushi to Kakera" (Fractures and Fragments), the first collaboration between Maruni Wood Industry and mina perhonen (The Stage on the first floor of the main building). Original chairs were introduced, featuring fabric patchworked with leftover Mine Perhonen fabrics and a new fabric that reveals different colors through wear and tear, creating a pleasing patina over time. Only 100 chairs were produced, and queues formed long before the store opened in anticipation of these rare pieces. Three limited-edition mina perhonen bags shaped like the seats of the "HIROSHIMA" chairs were also available at the event. The event will run until the 29th.

On the 5th floor living area of the main building, a market called "MARIKAUPPA" has opened, which sells limited edition Marimekko items, discontinued fabrics, tableware, stationery, and more. In addition to tableware from the new "Weather Diary," limited-edition items in Isetan-exclusive colors using the popular Puketti pattern will be available. The store has been flooded with inquiries even before the event began. Other events include a collaborative chair featuring a Fritz Hansen Seven Chair, synonymous with Scandinavian Danish furniture, upholstered in fabric by British fabric brand DESIGNERS GUILD; the BEAN STOOL by furniture designer Shinichi Ogata; LIFE is ART, featuring young ceramic artists (Ryota Aoki, Hajime Tamura, Yoshinori Takemura, and Nobuhiko Tanaka) influenced by ceramic artist Lucie Rie; and Chanoyu Oribe-tique, a collection of tea ceremony utensils in collaboration with the manga "Hyouge Mono." Also, at the Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store, limited-edition hand-drawn matryoshka dolls by picture book author Tomoko Ichikawa are on sale until the 29th. At Ginza Mitsukoshi, Kawashimaya Future Department Store, a fantasy department store created by Yoko Kawashima, director of the ifs Future Research Institute, has opened. Mitsukoshi Isetan has over 30 events planned for the duration of the event, which runs until November 5th, under the theme of "HAND MADE BY/FOR ME."