25 05 2015

Selvedge Spring Fair in Stroud

Sorry for the delay but here are some photos from the fair on 16th. It was my first time to visit Stroud, a lovely town with small independent shops and restaurants. I didn’t have a chance to walk around but seemed like there was a creative buzz. People seemed relaxed and well-off. The fair opened at 9am, which was quite early in my opinion because I’m hardly awake usually, but there was a market outside and it was busier in the morning than in the afternoon. Interesting.

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05 05 2015

reversible stitched cuffs updated

The bestselling item of Minus Sun, the hand stitched cuff bracelets, now fasten with lobster clasps. It used to be snap buttons for a long time but I’ve heard from a few customers that it went missing while wearing them. Although I liked the all-fabric-look and the ease of wearing, losing them sounded very sad so I’ve decided to change the design. The metal clasps and rings are attached to the bracelet with cotton ribbon. The chunky clasps keep the design unisex.

They are available on my online shop.
“Are you okay? / I will be fine.”
“You’re all mine (You’re all in me)”

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15 04 2015

“Are you okay?” commissioned covered button coat

This is a commissioned version of the covered button coat. I had originally made this style for myself to wear at craft fairs but now I do made-to-order because I receive compliments when I’m wearing it. It is a simple calico coat with 3/4 sleeves, fabric covered buttons, side seam pockets and a pleat at the back. It is fully lined with lighter calico.

This commissioned version has a welt pocket on the left chest and embroidery details on the back in addition. The “ARE YOU OKAY?” embroidery on the yoke and the sitting girl figure on the right bottom are embroidered in navy. The logo above the girl and the brand name at the inside neck are embroidered in hot pink.

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03 04 2015

commissioned lingerie set for a mermaid

Here is another commissioned piece I’ve been working on for my hula dancer friend. Basically, she wants to be a mermaid and my mission was to make a set of embroidered lingerie with a mermaid theme. I hope you can see my effort in the design. She also wanted it to be okay to be seen outside so she can show off my creation! I chose a light orange cotton as the main fabric and strong pink for the front bra hook and the waistband loop at the back of the knickers.

The bra is replicating shells by having no undercup section and using a front hook. I also played with the bra cup pattern to have radial lines. I used an elastic band in a matching colour for the straps and gold metal parts to go with the warm tone. The top sections of the bra cups have sea themed embroidery using threads and ribbons. The knickers are elasticated at the back waist and the legs. The front waist section is embroidered with a mermaid motif and my label.

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These are the calico samples I’d made first which are also lovely.

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30 03 2015

Selvedge Spring Fair in Bath 2015

I had a day trip to Bath to exhibit at Selvedge Spring Fair last Saturday. My previous post was about a fair as well so it’s quite repetitive but I will show you some photos anyway. I forgot to take a table cloth and my business cards this time… which has never happened in the past. I was probably stressed out about having to travel and exhibiting outside of London. I used some of my calico dresses as a makeshift for a tablecloth and handwrote my details on cut up paper bags I use as packaging. I also wrote sentences from my story books on each to make them more interesting. I was glad that it worked and that some visitors found it amusing but I wish I had my ID-swipe-card-like business cards with me as they are usually very popular. The image on the back side is updated as I run out of the cards to show newer creations. The next chance to get them is at Selvedge Spring Fair in London. Hope to see you there!

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23 02 2015

Minus Sun dress

I made this piece to have my PR staff wear it when visiting potential stockists. You might see me or a helper wearing it at events as well. I have used the template of the Cultured Girl’s dress as it is simple and easy to wear. The front has the girl figure and the brand logo embroidered on the left chest. There are two patch pockets below the waist. The left pocket has symbolic words “innocent” “sensuous” and “melancholic” embroidered. The right pocket has a gimmick hiding the sentence “I will be fine.” under the pocket flap embroidered “Are you okay?”

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18 01 2015

commissioned long white linen dress

Hello, I am still alive. I am currently back in Japan but my friend had commissioned me to make a long white dress in linen with lace and gather detailing at the chest. And here is the result. My friend is a hula dancer and would like to be ready to dance anytime, how lovely!

The main fabric is linen. The lining, bought lace, and the tie ribbon at the back are cotton, all in white.

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This is the sample I’ve made with calico. It has a vintage look and the colour combination of white and cream is sweet. It is shorter than the final dress but the details are the same.

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14 12 2014

Christmas cards 2014

These are the two Christmas cards I’ve designed this year, “Nothing else to give” with a girl packaging herself and “Don’t like silent nights” with a girl listening to music. Inside the cards it says “but Merry Christmas.”

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29 11 2014

commissioned dress in dark green

This is a commissioned version of the Self-Conscious Girl’s dress from “minus the sun, night all day.” collection featuring the customer’s pet budgie embroidered onto the left chest! I’ve enjoyed combining different embroidery stitches to make it realistic. It is made of light weight corduroy fabric in dark green and black velvet ribbons for the shoulder straps and hem trimmings. The hem is around 15cm longer than the original design covering the knees.

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19 11 2014

the Suicidal Girl’s dress final ver.

This is the final version of the Suicidal Girl’s dress from my 3rd collection “It rained into her room.” made with dull baby blue cotton and navy cotton fabric. The inspiration for this design was a girl walking into water. Therefore, a darker colour fabric is used for the bottom half of the dress including the sleeve cuffs. The collar, which is pointy at the back has hand crocheted lace trimmings to represent a handkerchief. The small breast pocket forms a teardrop shape with embroidered dots. The front opening has button loops and cream colour fabric covered buttons.

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