In April this year, as if to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relationship between Finland and Japan, Artek, a Finnish interior brand, opened its flagship store in Omotesando, Tokyo. Though the brand’s furniture has become popular in Japan as early as in 1960’s, surprisingly, it’s their first time to open a directly-operated store in Japan. The store, featuring Scandinavian modern furniture and interior goods, is a place where shoppers can immerse themselves in the world of Artek which includes works of Alvar Aalto, one of the founders of the brand.
Artek, a brand established in 1935, is a coined term fusing Art and Technology, has offered a broad range of products including furniture, lighting and textile which embody the philosophy of the brand’s founders that “Art gains functionality through technology, while technology becomes sophisticated by art”. Artek’s furniture is also known for simple design using natural materials offering comfort that perfectly blends in with the living space of Japanese homes.
STOOL WORKSHOP area, where customers can choose the seat and the legs to create a bespoke stool.
（Left）Restored “Kirsikankukka”, a textile design evoking spring cherry blossoms.（Right）”Stool 60, Indigo Dye”, a whole Finnish-Birch stool dyed in Japan Blue. Both from FIN/JPN Friendship Collection released in Milan
Artek revealed its FIN/JPN Friendship Collection during the Milan Design Week 2019 in April, giving an innovative new life to its standard collections the brand has cultivated over many decades by competitive collaboration by the craftsmen from both countries.
The collection included “Stool 60 Indigo Dye”, which is a Japan-only limited collection birthed by the collaboration between the masterpiece by Alvar Aalto and BUAISOU, an Indigo and Dye Master based in Tokushima Prefecture, as well as a restored “Kirsikankukka”, designed by Aino Aalto inspired by the cherry blossom patterned scarf presented to her by a Japanese couple 80 years ago. Items which have just been announced in Milan, including the fabric and the furoshiki wrapping cloth produced at a dye workshop in Kyoto, will also be available to purchase. Special limited furniture of the model commemorating the opening of the directly-operated store is also introduced to add to the celebratory mood. Discover a comfortable living style at Artek.
◆ Artek Tokyo Store
1F & B1F, 5-9-20, Jingu-mae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Business Hours: 11:00 – 20:00, Closed: Tuesdays
