Illustration by Anne Laval
Hello from Tokyo!
I am happy to report on Paul & Paula about Playtime Tokyo which just took place last week at Belle Salle Shibuya. The trade show keeps growing season after season, with 230 exhibitors for their August 2015 edition. This time I noticed the presence of more local Japanese brands (from all over Japan), which I am very excited about. Other countries represented: France, Italy, Spain, Belgium, UK, Ireland, USA, China, Hong Kong, Korea, Australia and Singapore.
Covering the event were Cocomag, Milk Japan, Kid’s Wear, FQ Japan, Babyologie, Gap Kids, Papier Mache, etc…
The theme of the season? MOVEMENT. Let’s go!
#1 Trend Space : On the road by Nuico
top left to right: Playtime café space, folkmade, Le Petit Philosophe, Ninos
Trend Space “On the Road” by Nuico
As always, I am looking forward to discovering the trend spaces and the fabulous work of the artists invited to showcase their work. I especially loved the work of Nuico and her unique, beautiful hand-sewn dolls hanging from the ceiling in a spectacular manner.
Brands from Japan that caught my attention:
Ami Amie – lovely knitwear
Folkmade – kids wear with a Japanese edge and great fabric/ details
muu muu – for their quirky knitwear and easy to navigate website
Franky Grow – Japanese kidswear, very unique website!
De Nachos – laidback, boho feel (the brand is based in a lovely city on the west coast of Japan)
Arch & Line – fancy, classy clothes for elegant little people
Ninos – footwear designed & made in Japan
#2 Trend Space : Take it easy by Norio Monma
Trend space “Take it easy” by Norio Nonma
left to right: Sophia 203, CAST Japan, Tutu du Monde, folkmade
I always appreciate to catch up with the brands that regularly attend the show and get to talk to the designers (when they come), the team or their agents. This season, I was really happy to find out that Tutu du Monde was part of the show and I got to chat and get insights from founder and creative director Andrea Rembeck herself! No doubt the brand will be very well received here too.
Tutu du Monde (Australia) – the world acclaimed tutus made their debut in Japan!
Sophia 203 (Japan/ India) – delicate, hand-embroidered accessories
Bonheur du Jour (France) – colorful, romantic collection with gorgeous embroidery details
Luisa & Ernesto (Ireland) – luxury footwear
Beau Loves (UK) – quirky, fun, stylish
Velveteen (Hong Kong) – classic, well crafted clothes. lovely color combination & materials
nobodinoz (Spain) – quirky, cute label from Spain / home decor, clothes, toys
Louise Misha (France) – poetic and dreamy clothes for little ones and their mummies
No added Sugar (UK) – absolutely gorgeous collection, I loved it!
#3 Trend Space : Let’s dance by Takashi Nakajima
Trend space “Let’s dance” by Takashi Nakajima
right, top to bottom: Playtime invitation, Abi Loves Tokyo space, Ladedah
Sunshine Playground
Abi Loves, a Tokyo Kids Event Producer company, animated a space for the youngest guests called the Sunshine Playground, where kids could try out wooden games handmade by Japanese artist Yuta Nishiura and decorate paper masks created by Sophia 203. The walls were showcasing the light sculpture by French sculptor Zoé Rumeau.
Kodomono Space
Playtime meets Kodomono is a new space that launched last February, entirely dedicated to design for children. The space doubled due to an increasing demand from brands. The dozen of labels/ agents propose single products or small design collections.
Below are a few toy/ home decor brands from Japan and abroad that are worth bookmarking:
The Wallpaper Tokyo (Japan) – great great wallpaper designs
Rocca Spiele (Japan) – games and goods
Tickle Glass (Japan) – handmade glass objects in Gifu prefecture
Rock and Pebble (USA) – beautiful homewares, toys and paper products
Ladedah Kids (Australia) – hand-crocheted toys and home decor items
Les Jouets Libres (France) – beautiful wooden toys made in France
Snug Studio (Germany) – clear, minimalistic, classic design
Meyer-Lavigne (Denmark) – unique Scandinavian home decor items
Next edition of Playtime Tokyo: February 23 – 24 – 25, 2016
I hope you enjoyed the read!
Coming next is a post about Abi Loves, a Tokyo-based event producer specialising in kids event. Stay tuned!
Thank you so much Marie for the report… I still would love to go to Playtime Tokyo one day, so happy to have you and share the experience…
