The Japan Times2d ago
Frank Gehry, who died Dec. 5 at 96, long rejected the tidy ideals of modernist design and aimed instead to capture the messiness and democratic spirit of daily life. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2025/12/06/style-design/frank-gehry-obituary/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #life #styledesign #frankgehry #architecture #obituaries
Frank O. Gehry, titan of architecture, is dead at 96

Visionary architect of Bilbao’s Guggenheim and a host of landmark works, Gehry closes a career that reshaped cities with sculptural boldness.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesNov 11
An upcoming retrospective in Tokyo throws light on florist Nicolai Bergmann’s creative process 25 years after he came up with the idea of a “flower box.” https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2025/11/11/style-design/florist-nicolai-bergmann/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #life #styledesign #nicolaibergmann #flowers #tokyo #denmark
Florist Nicolai Bergmann flourishes outside the box

“The flower business, as I see it, has no limits,” says the Danish florist famous for creating the “flower box” 25 years ago.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesNov 1
Despite familiar threats of synthetic alternatives and a declining workforce, Shiga Prefecture's persimmon dyers believe the traditional craft is still worth the effort. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2025/11/01/style-design/persimmon-dyeing-textiles-shiga-crafts/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #life #styledesign #japanesecrafts #textiles #rurallife
Sun-dried and sustainable, Japan’s persimmon dye lives on

Thanks to Japan's largest freshwater lake, Shiga Prefecture has long thrived as a production center of persimmon tannin dyeing.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesOct 2
In a digital world, Japanese brand Plotter is betting on analog with its first-ever Harajuku shop providing binders, leather and the slow joy of paper. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2025/10/02/style-design/stationery-japan-plotter-notebooks-paper/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #life #styledesign #stationery #japanesecrafts #bookstores
Tokyo's newest stationery store sells 'a slower, more human rhythm'

After years of selling its products in third-party stores, Japanese brand Plotter has officially opened a dedicated storefront in Tokyo.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesSep 27
It’s weird. It’s adorable. Osaka Expo’s collaboration with Labubu dials up the ugly cuteness of its beloved blobby mascot, Myaku-Myaku. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2025/09/27/style-design/osaka-expo-labubu-myaku-myaku/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #life #styledesign #osaka #2025osakaexpo #myakumyaku #mascots
Myaku-Myaku gets the Labubu treatment at the Osaka Expo

With just weeks left before its final day, Osaka Expo is dialing up the ugly cuteness of its beloved blobby mascot and tapping into the global Labubu craze.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesSep 20
At Singapore Design Week, running through Sept. 21, the island city-state's diversity becomes a foundation from which artists attempt to wrestle with the biggest problems facing society today. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2025/09/20/style-design/singapore-design-week-highlights-2025/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #life #styledesign #japanesecrafts #singapore #sustainability
‘Pluriversal’ Singapore Design Week brings solution-oriented works

Running through Sept. 21, the design fair in the island city-state grapples with issues especially common in Japan.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesSep 20
Have you ever noticed Japan's cute, eye-popping fruit and veggie boxes? Next time you’re in the supermarket, be sure to pay attention to the humble cardboard containers. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2025/09/19/style-design/design-fruit-boxes-japan/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #life #styledesign #fruit #vegetables #design
Behold the glory of Japan’s fruit boxes

Watermelon mountains and onion parades: The everyday cardboard containers for fruits and veggies are a designer’s delight.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesSep 4
The man credited with inventing red-carpet fashion, Giorgio Armani, has died at the age of 91. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2025/09/05/style-design/giorgio-armani-obituary/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #life #styledesign #fashion #giorgioarmany #italy
Italian fashion icon Giorgio Armani dead at 91

The Italian icon is credited with inventing red-carpet fashion, but also moved into a less expensive range through Emporio Armani.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesSep 3
Chloe Malle, daughter of Candace Bergen and Louis Malle, steps into Vogue’s top job — with Anna Wintour still just “down the hall.” https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2025/09/03/style-design/vogue-editor-anna-wintour-chloe-malle/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #life #styledesign #vogue #annawintour #chloemalle
Vogue appoints Chloe Malle to replace fashion doyenne Anna Wintour

After months of speculation, Vogue named Malle as its new editor, taking over from Wintour, who led the magazine for more than 40 years.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesJul 19
“It takes the women in the refugee camps anywhere from two to six months to embroider a single obi,” says Maki Yamamoto, a Tokyo native who spearheaded a project to combine Japanese kimono with Palestinian artistry. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2025/07/19/style-design/kimono-palestine-obi-embroidery/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #life #styledesign #japanesefashion #japanesecrafts #geisha
In Gaza-made obi, Palestinian embroidery meets Japanese kimono

Kimono sashes from the Palestinian Embroidery Obi Project combine Japanese materials with Middle Eastern designs.

The Japan Times