Jibasan ele, which opened its first store in Kobe Sakaemachi last year, has opened its second store at Kobe International Conference Center SOL (8-1-6 Miyuki-dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe).

As a select shop owner, Takushi Maekawa, who has sourced men's clothing and fashion accessories from around the world, focused on Hyogo Prefecture, where he was born and raised, and offered a selection of items focused on local industries.

Hyogo Prefecture is often associated with the Kobe brand as an international city and fashion capital, but it is surprisingly little known that it is also home to some of the country's leading local industries, including pottery, washi paper, textiles, and leather goods. For example, gardening products highly acclaimed in Europe and the United States are made in Miki City, Hyogo Prefecture.

Bags made from Tatsuno leather, clothing made from Banshu weaving textiles, and interior tiles made using Awaji Island's traditional roof tile manufacturing techniques. The SOL store also has an extensive Tamba ware space showcasing works from eight potteries. Each piece blends traditional techniques with modern design, creating an appealing piece that makes you want to pick it up and use it.

"The beauty of working locally is being able to create things while interacting directly with the artisans," says Michiyo Otsuka, designer of niki*, who designs clothing using Banshuori jacquard karami weave fabric.

The newly opened workshop space on the same floor, "SOL 365 Workshop," will host occasional seminars taught directly by artisans and artists, such as "Making a tote bag with Tatsuno leather" and "Making your own Tamba ware tableware."