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Naoto Fukasawa and Akira Minagawa of Mina Perhonen talk about the appeal of "Fushi to Kakera"

Sep 6, 2013

On September 2nd, furniture manufacturer Maruni Wood Industry held a presentation at its Tokyo showroom for "MARUNI COLLECTION HIROSHIMA with mina perhonen," the first collaborative project between product designer Naoto Fukasawa and mina perhonen designer Akira Minagawa. Both Fukasawa and Minagawa appeared on stage for a talk session.

The project will be the main attraction of this fall's ISETAN MITSUKOSHI DESIGN WEEK 2013. For a limited time, original furniture will be available, including products that combine Maruni Wood Industry chairs, such as the "HIROSHIMA" chair designed by Fukasawa, with patchworks of mina perhonen's "fragments" (leftover fabric), as well as tables made from offcuts. Minagawa said, "I first saw "HIROSHIMA" at a gallery in Nishi-Azabu in 2011 and was moved by its beautiful profile. 'Kakera' refers to the scraps and other leftover fabric that are produced when tailoring clothes. Just like other fabrics, leftover fabric is made with the same time and effort, so I've always felt it's a waste to throw it away. This time, I tried to give these leftover fabrics a second life as 'pieces'. By combining them with archive fabrics used in the Mina Perhonen collection line released every year, I think I've created something with a timeless appeal." For the chair seat, Minagawa proposed a fabric that, as it wears out with continued use, reveals a different color woven into it. "I wanted to create a chair that allows you to enjoy the changes that occur over time with use. This fabric is woven with two colors of thread at a high density to prevent the colors from interfering with each other, so the outer and inner linings will mature over time."

Fukasawa also said, "When people buy things, they honestly want a beautiful product without any scratches. However, I think the great significance of this project is that it has provided a new way of thinking: that even items made from knots (wood) or fragments have value as something that only I can obtain. As a product designer, I have always aimed to create beautiful, high-quality products, but this time I was able to bring the idea of 'not wasting anything' to that."

The project will be unveiled at an event to be held at The Stage on the first floor of Isetan Shinjuku from October 23rd to 29th.
尾方実和
  • From the left: Naoto Fukasawa, product designer of the Maruni Wood Industry chair "HIROSHIMA," and Akira Minagawa, fashion designer of "Mina Perhonen."
  • From the left: Naoto Fukasawa, product designer of the Maruni Wood Industry chair "HIROSHIMA," and Akira Minagawa, fashion designer of "Mina Perhonen."
  • "Fushi to Kakera MARUNI COLLECTION HIROSHIMA with minä perhonen" A special chair with a seat made of patchwork using pieces of minä perhonen fabric.
  • "Fushi to Kakera MARUNI COLLECTION HIROSHIMA with minä perhonen" A table "MALTA" with a solid wood top made from scrap wood and a special bag on top. The chair is a special chair with a patchwork fabric seat.
  • "Fushi to Kakera MARUNI COLLECTION HIROSHIMA with minä perhonen" A chair with a seat made from patchwork of scrap wood
  • A special bag made from patchwork of the same material as the chair seat from "Fushi to Kakera MARUNI COLLECTION HIROSHIMA with minä perhonen"
  • "Knots and Fragments MARUNI COLLECTION HIROSHIMA with minä perhonen" Chest made with patchwork of wood offcuts for the top and bottom (Left: Walnut, Right: Oak)
  • Akira Minagawa, designer of "Mina Perhonen"
  • Naoto Fukasawa
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