At IOFT
2011…New category “Kids Eyewear” is finally launched in “EYEWEAR OF THE YEAR
(EOY)” and three news professionals joined to EOY Award Committee Members.
What’s more, we launched an exclusive exhibit area “tide – The IOFT Int’l
Designers”.
We cannot
help being excited with the new phase of IOFT 2011!
In such
situation, Show Management got an amazing scoop!
That is…a
unique collaboration! A Talented Designer in Eyewear World, KAGERO Design Works
who grab a lot of fans with its fascinating naming and eyewear and a Genius in
Coloring, KAMURO who is famous for its lovely eyewear which makes girls fall in
love with them at first sight. This collaboration will be presented at IOFT for
the first time.
What’s
more, the way of the collaboration and selling is really interesting and truly
remarkable. Show Management has heard that such unique collaboration will make
its debut at IOFT. Therefore, we interviewed the designers.
Let us
introduce them!
The Prodigy among Japanese Eyewear Designer, KAGERO Design Works
Mr. HIROSHI
MARUI, Representative and Designer, KAGERO Design Works
A Genius
in Coloring, KAMURO
Mr.SHINGO
ONODERA, Chief Designer, KAMURO OPTICAL CO., LTD.
 |
| [left:Mr.Onodera, right:Mr.Kagero] |
Haruka:
Well, who
first proposed an idea of this collaboration?
Mr.Onodera
(KAMURO OPTICAL CO., LTD.):
I did. I
approached Mr. Marui about it.
Haruka:
What made
you do that?
Mr.Onodera:
IOFT is not
only an exhibition where exhibitors release new works and have business
meetings with buyers, but also a place where eyewear shops from the whole
country meet together. So, I wanted to propose the new model which has festive
element and is made and sold only once a year at the yearly event.
This
spring, the plan was proposed in our office and we marked Mr. Kagero out as a
partner which might give us a quick answer to agree to our proposal readily in
limited time. Also, what made us to choose a partner is the fact that we have
lots of common customer with Mr. Kagero. Contrary to our expectations, Mr. Kagero
gave us bad response at first.
Mr.
Kagero:
My brain
rejected the plan of Mr.Onodera right after I head his proposal. Honestly, I
was not interested in collaborating with other designers at all. I have
collaborated with nail artists and sculptors before. I think I could succeed in
those collaborations because we have different types of business. It was out of
the question that two eyewear designers design a pair of glasses.
Haruka:
Well, I
agree. I can’t either imagine such kind of collaboration, since their
sensibility may collide with each other.
Mr.
Kagero:
However,
I accepted his proposal since it was beyond my imagination.
Haruka:
I’m
curious about how Mr.Onodera changed your mind. Could you tell us “the
collaboration beyond your imagination”?
Mr.
Kagero:
I will
design complete pair of KAMURO eyewear and Mr. Onodera will design a complete
pair of KAGERO Design Works instead.
Haruka:
Wow, what
a bold plan!
Mr.Onodera:
Have you
ever seen that rival designers design each other’s models and produce them?
I think
it’s really interesting that two companies having different brand’s concept
challenge such a plan.
Haruka:
I see. However,
your brands’ concepts as well as designs are apparently quite different,
namely, it‘s a collaboration of totally different type of two brands.
I’m so
excited, but at the same time, afraid to see it.LoL!
Mr.
Kagero:
Therefore,
first, I learned the eyewear of KAMURO very hard. Also I visited factory of
KAMURO in Sabae. Mr. Onodera told me that you can just design lovely eyewear,
but I reached a conclusion that the point is I should design “not” lovely one…lol
Mr.Onodera:
For me, a
rough idea popped up in my mind relatively quickly.
Haruka:
The ideas
seem to be already totally different at the first step before designing. We’re
so excited to see them! Then, could you introduce us the concepts of eyewear
you designed.
Mr.Onodera:
Eyewear
of KAGERO Design Works I designed is a model named “Naked”. It represents
exactly “nature” of woman.
Mr.
Kagero:
Eyewear
of KAMURO’s brand I designed is “infection” meaning infectious disease. The
design is produced with the thought that it’s no problem if temple has eyes.
 |
| [Image of Naked & Infection] |
Haruka:
Does
temple have eyes? Wow, it’s so amazing, just listening to your explanation.
I heard
that also sales method is quite unique as a part of this collaboration project.
Could you
explain about it?
Mr.Onodera:
That’s
right. We will sell the models each of us designed in a pair to customers.
If you
are a customer handling both brands, you can purchase both of pairs.
Pairs
consist of two models as follows.
-KAMURO
infection No.1
-KAMURO
infection No.2
* No.1
and No.2 are same types, differently colored.
< Models
which KAMURO produces >
-LABYRINTH
NAKED No.1
-LABYRINTH
NAKED No.2
* No.1
and No.2 are same types, differently colored.
< Available
set at KAGERO Design Works in IOFT 2011 >
-KAMURO
infection No.1
-LABYRINTH
NAKED No.1
Two
models in a pair will be sent out to the customers of KAGERO Design Works.
< Available
set at KAMURO in IOFT 2011 >
-KAMURO
infection No.2
-LABYRINTH
NAKED No.2
Two
models in a pair will be sent out to the customers of KAMURO.
Mr.
Kagero:
By the
way, we are going to produce limited number of models according to the order at
IOFT. So, we may not accept additional orders and either reproduce them.
Haruka:
That
means the models are exclusively sold only at IOFT. I’m sure they will be rare
products.
I would
like to ask all buyers and also buyers who have already plan to buy the
products to make a plan precisely and avoid running out of products.
Mr.Onodera:
Samples
of models will be exhibited in front of both booths. Don’t miss “impossible”
project!
Haruka:
Thank you
very much Mr. Onodera and Mr. Kagero!
The details
of production process are updated on their blogs. Get the information before
the show! I’ll definitely come to both booths during the show.
[Editor’s
Note]
Although
I haven’t seen their works yet, I thought them to be terrific. I’m so excited
to feel a
moment when two quite different tastes collide with each other. Both of them
said about this collaboration that it’s like picking a quarrel with each brand.
We’re
looking forward to seeing how the two different designers whom Japanese eyewear
industry is proud of collaborate together and attract buyers on-site.
All buyers!
This collaboration already get into the news. If you want to make an
appointment with them, please contact as soon as possible!
Written & Edited by Haruka from IOFT Show Management
● EOY 2012 Official HP >>>CLICK HERE
● Be our FAN on Facebook Fanpage! >>> CLICK HERE
● Follow us on Twitter! >>> CLICK HERE
● IOFT2011 Official HP>>> CLICK HERE
● Information Request on Exhibiting IOFT 2011>>> CLICK HERE
● Invitation Ticket Request for IOFT 2011 >>> CLICK HERE
Written & Edited by Haruka from IOFT Show Management
● EOY 2012 Official HP >>>CLICK HERE
● Be our FAN on Facebook Fanpage! >>> CLICK HERE
● IOFT2011 Official HP>>> CLICK HERE
● Information Request on Exhibiting IOFT 2011>>> CLICK HERE
● Invitation Ticket Request for IOFT 2011 >>> CLICK HERE
