HIROMI

One question I hear often is, "Why don't you make established designs with machinery instead? It would be more profitable and make life a lot easier." It's a fair question. In reality, the more efficient path would be to focus on established designs. In the time it takes me to design and handcraft one one-of-one eyeglasses case, I could produce dozens of cases from an established design using die-cut parts and a sewing machine. A fully custom piece requires considerably more thought,...

Growing up, I always gravitated toward things that were considered "for boys." I wore boys' clothes, read boys' manga, and built model kits instead of playing with dolls. That early love for building things with my hands eventually became the foundation for my work as a solo leather artisan. My first crush was probably Jackie Chan, and I was tempted to become him at the same time. Throughout my teenage years and into adulthood, I enjoyed shopping for my boyfriends more than I did for myself....

Tea-core has long been associated with vintage leather belts and workwear. In recent years, it has become increasingly popular. 蒼黒 (SOUKOKU): Green-Black VINCENT Belt (Okazome Tea-Core Horween Horsehide) Growing up painting and working with different mediums, and later learning traditional Japanese crafts in Kyoto, my relationship with color and creating has always been very physical and personal. Through dyeing processes and hand-dyed leather goods, I naturally came to develop tea-core...