'Found in Translation' - Thakoon and Safia shoot the breeze in Tokyo
Thakoon pictured with Michiko Head of PR in Japan (wearing Thakoon’s Fair Trade petal dress) and Masako Head of Design at People Tree Japan.
Thakoon is one of the very special designers who took part in the Vogue Japan collaboration along with Richard Nicholl, Bora Aksu and Foundation Addict to make amazing designs through Fair Trade this Summer – and I caught up with him in Tokyo last week.
Thakoon shares my love of natural and organic fabrics and is keen to do more with People Tree. So we sat together with Masako and Michiko, Japan’s Heads of Design and PR and brainstormed over a cappuccino and croissant at that the Park Hyatt hotel of ‘Lost in Translation’ fame. He seems to be very at home in Tokyo - perhaps it’s his Asian roots. Thakoon grew up in Thailand and then moved to US when he was 11 years old. He is now one of the hottest designers in the world, innovative and extremely open minded.
Asked what he thought of the finished result he said ‘I’m so happy with the way it turned out. The sleeve is quite complicated , so I imagined at first that would become a problem – but actually the sleeve work came out beautifully – a couture like sleeve was no problem!’
Wouldn’t it be great to work on regular capsule collections with such an amazing designer?
Me and my gal. I’m wearing Foundation Addict and my daughter Natalie wears Thakoon.
You can view the Vogue collection here - a few last pieces remain.
Wholesome Happenings! (London)
A week of sunshine and interesting happenings. London School of Economics visited People Tree with “Proteus,” an executive programme which aims to inspire business leaders through creative experiences – They came to learn about Fair Trade and what we do at People Tree.
They were so hot at the end of their journey up Brick Lane that they didn’t want the Fair Trade coffee and biscuits we’d prepared – just water, lots of it. Was it the heat or my complimenting Tom Taylor CFO of Cuscal (an Aussie Company) on the detail on his shirt that prompted him to remove it? Right there in the main entrance of the office. I gave him a Fair Trade one in exchange of course!
People Tree's concession at Whole Foods Market
This week also marked the opening of Whole Foods Market on High Street Kensington It’s amazing to have an organic store like that on your door step, ‘if that’s your postcode.’ Filled with yummy mummies and delicious looking breads, fruit, chocolates and of course People Tree clothing selling well there too. Do go along!
Personally I find myself feeling a little breathless in such large stores and am pleased my milkman can deliver me a box of organic foods that arrive on the peaceful step of my flat in South London.
Friends from the Associated Craft Producers – including Meera Bhattaraii (holding the necklace) - visited from Nepal, to discuss product design and have a cup of Fair Trade tea (They kept their clothes on!) Great to see you all!
A busy week, punctuated by interviews about Jane Shepherdson joining People Tree as an Advisor on future plans for People Tree and how to develop the market for Fair Trade Fashion.
