Friday, February 10, 2012 - Sunday, February 12, 2012
ENGLISH
JETRO Event

JAPAN NEXT EXHIBITION "Future Tradition WAO," produced by Fashion Journalist Yoshiko Ikoma, is pleased to announce the very first installation in the United States to take place at the Capsule Studio in New York City from February 10^th through February 12^th, 2012. "WAO" is a combination of two Japanese words; WA (和) + O (生), which stands for "the rebirth of Japan" and also represents the word "WOW." This exhibition will signify the merging of New World and Old World methods to include "future tradition" products created through collaboration with well-known designers, producers and leading brands. The project represents a new world of Japanese craftsmanship and a movement to introduce the arts and crafts of the 21^st century.

Featuring innovative items designed and produced with a contemporary Japanese sensibility, the exhibition will include Collaboration Handicrafts, Curators-selected Handicrafts, and Future Tradition Handicrafts. Collaborations with well-known brands such as Louis Vuitton, FENDI, Baccarat, and Hello Kitty will be highlighted in the exhibition.

WAO Curators include:

• Alessandra Bettari, President & CEO, FENDI JAPAN COMPANY, LVJ GROUP K.K.
• Kyouichi Fujita, Fashion Designer
• Sayumi Gunji, Creative Director, VOGUE girl
• Kyoujiro Hata, President, Hata Brand Consulting K.K./Ex President, Louis Vuitton Japan K.K.
• Toshiyuki Inoko - President, TEAMLAB, Inc
• Maiko Itai - Miss Universe Japan 2010
• Naoki Ito - Creative Director of the Cool Japan Strategy Promotion Program
• Seiichi Kamei - Editor-In-Chief, Casa Brutus
• Kengo Kuma - Architect
• Keita Maruyama - Fashion Designer
• Yoshihiro Narisawa - Chef, NARISAWA
• Hiroshi Ogawa - President, Baccarat Pacific K.K.
• Ken Okuyama - CEO, Ken Okuyama Design
• Philippe Terrien - President, Mikli Japon K.K.

In today's society, demands are being made for a paradigm shift in the sense of the world’s values; new movements have begun in the world of luxury items, constituting a return to the careful creation of objects based on craftsmanship. In the midst of movements toward reconsidering the value of traditional technology itself, worldwide attention is increasingly focused on "Japanese Handicrafts," engendering a new artistic form for the "useful beauty" found in Japanese luxury items.

"We are eager to present our creativity and craftsmanship to the city of New York," says Yoshiko Ikoma, Fashion Journalist and Producer of Future Tradition WAO. "The collection of designers and products are truly inspiring and we look forward to sharing the innovation and ‘secrets’ of Japanese traditional crafts."

Subsequent to the NYC tour, the exhibition will be moving on to Paris in March. To learn more about "Future Tradition WAO," Cool Japan and the featured products in the exhibition, please visit http://cooljapan-wao.com/.

About Cool Japan
This project is a commissioned project from METI (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry) to support "Japan Branding (COOL JAPAN = JAPAN NEXT)" promotion in overseas markets through Japanese crafts and culture. WAO's producer, Yoshiko Ikoma is a Fashion Journalist and has worked for the Japanese versions of publications such as VOGUE, ELLE and Marie Claire. She gives lectures and creates projects centered on fashion, art, and lifestyle.

US Press Contacts:
Karen Brooking, BDE
Karen@bdeonline.biz
212-353-1383 x17

Emily Levin, BDE
Emily@bdeonline.biz
212-353-1383 x10

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