Art isn't just what's displayed in museums. Surely, objects created by artisans who have dedicated themselves to crafting the same thing for years, born from experience and the resulting aesthetic, can also be considered art. What if you could wear such an object? Wouldn't it evoke the same feelings of exhilaration, joy, and delight as viewing paintings and sculptures in a museum?

This time, at Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building B1F Bags section, they are presenting "ART of VISUAL," creating "portable art" by treating bags as canvases. The artist they have invited is Tokihiko Ikushima. He has been involved in the launch of the bag brand BEAUDESSIN, which has been around for over 40 years, and has led the brand as its director for many years. He became independent two years ago and currently runs a shop in Yanaka, Taito-ku, while also working as the designer of his own brand, BOHÈME.

In this interview, Mr. Ikushima reflected on his career and spoke about his collaboration with Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building as well as his passion for craftsmanship.

Event Information

"ART of VISUAL" Bag Promotion □ August 21st (Wed) - September 3rd (Tue)
□ Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building B1F = Bags, Main Building B1F = Travel Bags

■Brands offered: Boheme Daniel & Bob Stefano Mano Ranzo
*Only available at Lanzo on the first basement floor of the main building, in the Travel Bag section.

▶Learn more here

This project features collaborations with popular domestic and international brands, including Boheme, Stefano Mano, and Daniel&Bob Lanzo. Using Limonta's best-selling nylon material, "Davis," each brand's best-selling model is represented.

Boheme Boston Bag: Left: ¥45,000 (33 x 46 x 24 cm), Right: ¥38,000 (33 x 38 x 24 cm)

The quality of a bag depends on the material.

—First, could you tell us what inspired you to launch your own brand, Bohème?

Turning 60 was one of the triggers, but illness was another. My illness caused trouble for Beau Dessin, where I had worked for many years. That's when I thought, "If young people aren't nurtured, it won't be good for Beau Dessin." Up until then, I had been doing everything myself. Beau Dessin is a brand I've dedicated my life to. To make use of what I learned there in my own way, and at the same time to convey the charm of Beau Dessin to consumers once again, I launched a shop called "Boheme Plus Beau Dessin."


—I think it's amazing that a single brand can last for 40 years.

The owner was a passionate person who wanted to "create bags that could compete with the world's best." At that time, there were hardly any companies in Japan that had their own brands. Large trading companies held sway, and these trading companies would ask manufacturers to produce and sell goods in large quantities. Around the world, designers and makers are almost always the same, or have a very close relationship. We started our manufacturing business with the idea of trying to do the same in Japan.

—I imagine that back then, there was little know-how regarding manufacturing and distribution.

As a wholesaler, we may not be large, but we believe we have gained a certain level of support. Through the oil crisis and the period before and after the collapse of the bubble economy, we have steadily and quietly continued our manufacturing. We believe we have been able to come this far thanks to the support and encouragement we have received from small select shops and specialty stores in rural areas. However, in rural areas, large shopping malls are leading the way in consumption, and there are many competitors in urban areas as well, so the outlets for what we create, that is, places where people can see it, have decreased. So we decided to try doing it ourselves, and we opened our first store in Yanaka, and have since opened stores in Ginza, Ebisu, and Tachikawa.

--What kind of bag do you consider to be a "good bag," Ms. Ikushima?

I love materials. Canvas, nylon, leather. I believe that more than 70% of a bag's appeal is determined by the quality of the material. The design and stitching change depending on how the material is used. The bags I make are difficult to categorize. They are not bound by age or gender. I have always been at odds with department stores. That's because there isn't a clear distinction between business bags and travel bags. Some people use them for work, and others for travel.


This also applies to functionality. Of course, we design it with things like a place to put a laptop and writing instruments in mind, but that's not something we can decide. Where you put what is part of your personality. So I think the feeling of it being a "bag" is closer to the truth.

The encounter with Limonta was the catalyst for launching the NEXT brand.