Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building , is hosting a promotion that goes beyond the realm of fashion, offering opportunities to discover a "new you" through serendipitous experiences such as chance encounters and unexpected discoveries related to "things, events, and moments."

As the second installment of the collaborative project that began with " my condition ," a curated pop-up called " Re:marche, " aiming to create a new relationship between the Earth and creation, will be held at Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building 1st floor promotion area from September 22nd (Wed) to October 5th (Tue).

The modern furniture brand arflex, which embodies its philosophy and has been loved across generations, will be collaborating with PORTER to create products that utilize leftover fabric scraps from the furniture manufacturing process. They will also be releasing limited-edition art pieces created in collaboration with artists Ken Tanishiki and Kota Kawai .

Additionally, we've selected natural items that enhance your lifestyle, such as those from BAUM , a skincare brand popular for its reusable lotion bottle parts made from leftover materials from Karimoku Furniture, and Cul de sac-JAPON, a lifestyle brand that offers items using the blessings of Aomori cypress.

Furthermore, the store will also sell art pieces created by painter Shintaro Nishihashi , featuring hand-painted designs on vintage clothing and other items. The lineup will showcase the appeal of vintage clothing, utilizing the well-made designs of older pieces and incorporating a sense of respect for the original makers while adding new designs.

This piece is a repurposed item made from leftover fabric scraps from the manufacturing process of Arflex sofas.

Inspired by Arflex's commitment to craftsmanship—a modern furniture brand that has endured for its timeless appeal by incorporating contemporary sensibilities into universal values—we have realized this upcycling project. Utilizing fabric scraps generated during Arflex's furniture manufacturing process, we will be releasing a limited-edition collection of bags in collaboration with PORTER , as well as selling exclusive art pieces created in collaboration with artists Ken Tanishiki and Kota Kawai.

PORTER ► A bag collection featuring the logos of two companies side by side.

A collaborative product that aims to fuse furniture and bags, offering a mix of different materials, will be released in advance. The collection includes five types of bags, including tote bags, waist bags, and wallets, all featuring the Arflex and PORTER logos on the tags.

Instead of using Arflex fabrics for the entire bag, this limited-edition special collection combines Arflex's unique fabrics with those of PORTER , resulting in a collection that embodies the distinctive style of both companies.

Interview►Click here to read the interview with Mr. Hoshina of Arflex and Mr. Yoshida of PORTER , where they discuss this initiative.

• PORTER
  

  Established in 1962 as the main brand of Yoshida & Co., a bag manufacturer founded in 1935, the brand is committed to being made in Japan, with attention paid to materials, parts, and stitching, aiming to create bags that become more comfortable with use and can be cherished for a long time.
  The brand name was chosen because we believe that porters, who handle guests' bags at hotels and other establishments, are constantly in contact with bags and therefore understand their quality.

Ken Tanishiki ► Comforting works that offer a warm and comforting feeling to people.

Respecting Arflex's manufacturing concept that "people are the main characters in life. Furniture is a supporting role that highlights the individuality of the inhabitants and is an indispensable 'tool for living' for creating a comfortable space," and interpreting it in his own unique way, Mr. Tanishiki has created a limited edition art piece and is now on sale.

The Arflex textile used for the cover in this artwork is so strong and thick that it seems it doesn't need to be changed each time, making it an extremely difficult material to work with. The skill involved in the handcrafted wood inlay work is truly impressive. This collaboration between two parties that respect "people" has resulted in a cozy and comforting piece that feels like a gentle embrace.

• Ken Tanishiki
  Born in 1983 in Tokyo. While attending Sugino Fashion College, she won the JFW JAPAN CREATION TEXTILE CONTEST Newcomer Award. After graduation, she continued to work as an artist while also working for a domestic apparel manufacturer. She began to seriously pursue her artistic activities in 2019, and has since been active in a wide range of fields, including being selected for the FACE 2020 Sompo Japan Koa Art Award in 2020 and exhibiting her work at UNIQLO TOKYO in 2021. She creates works using a traditional technique called "kimekomi," which is used for Hina dolls and other traditional Japanese dolls.

Kota Kawai►Revival Project = "Revive arflex"

Kota Kawai × arflex's revitalization project = "Revive Arflex".

Kota Kawai noted that while people's lives progress socially, culturally, and psychologically through production, consumption, and reproduction, they are now facing the problem of "overuse of the Earth." He believes that "people can only truly rest if they are mindful of the environment," and that considering the coexistence of the Earth and humanity is a necessary perspective for people today. He also believes that bringing "value" to "worthless" waste is a step towards future "regeneration," and therefore endorsed this project.

For this project, Kota Kawai reinterpreted furniture previously used by arflex and discarded materials left in the warehouse, creating a work of art that has been imbued with new value.

• Kota Kawai

  Born in Osaka Prefecture in 1998. After studying fashion and gaining experience in vintage customization, she became interested in the finiteness of resources. She began her artistic activities in 2020. In November of the same year, she held her first solo exhibition, "Ethical Consumption Chair," based on the concept of "visualizing difficult problems," which attracted attention. She advocates "World Revive," a world regeneration concept that reinterprets modern backgrounds such as development and consumption, as well as existing resources, and expresses a "regenerated world."
  
  Related Article ► Buyers are captivated by the "heart-stirring art pieces" created by KOTA KAWAI, an artist to watch now.

Natural items made from trees for a comfortable lifestyle.

From Baum, a skincare brand popular for its reusable lotion bottle parts made from leftover materials from Karimoku furniture, and Caldesac Japon, a lifestyle brand that offers items made with the blessings of Aomori cypress, comes a collaboration of natural items that bring comfort to everyday life.

Skincare that lets you discover the blessings and beauty of the Baum tree

To promote its brand philosophy of "fully receiving and appreciating the blessings of trees and connecting tree resources to the future," BAUM holds "BAUM TREEDAY" every year on October 8th, "Tree Day*1." This year, the second year of the event, in commemoration of TREEDAY, BAUM will release "BAUM Hydro Essence Lotion" with wooden parts*2 made from a different type of tree than the regular product, with the hope that people will learn more about the blessings and beauty of trees. Pre-orders for this product will be accepted at stores during the event period.



Additionally, on September 25th (Sat) and 26th (Sun), customers who purchase a room spray (main product) will receive a cypress wood sachet as a gift. On the same days, a workshop will also be held in-store where you can create your own unique sachet by stamping it with our provided stamps.

• BAUM
  

  This skincare brand focuses on the "blessings of trees" that have survived for hundreds of years while flexibly adapting to environmental changes. It aims to fully embrace the blessings of trees and pass them on to the future.

Introducing a luxurious reed diffuser made exclusively with natural Aomori cypress essential oil and cypress powder, free from synthetic fragrances. The branches that absorb the oil are also made of cypress, allowing you to enjoy the gentle, spreading natural scent.

Furthermore, during the event, you can fill a bag with as many chips as you like, made exclusively from the heartwood portion of the cypress tree. The bags can be hung directly on doorknobs or hooks, and are also recommended as decorative items on glass, plates, or desks. The rich scent of wood makes it perfect for relaxing. Why not incorporate it into your room to make it a little more luxurious than usual?

The all-you-can-fill option comes in two sizes, M and LL, and you can choose whichever you prefer.

• Cul de Sac-JAPON

  This lifestyle brand was founded by a designer who grew up in a family that owned a lumber business specializing in Aomori cypress, and who wanted to spread the appeal of cypress wood. It expresses the comfort brought about by the powerful yet gentle scent of cypress and the simple yet beautiful designs of its items.

Nishihashi's paintings rediscover the charm of vintage items.

Shintaro Nishihashi, who specializes in two-dimensional brush paintings, has created limited-edition items for this project that include not only two-dimensional works but also vintage clothing such as coats and biker jackets, as well as accessories like tote bags and pouches, all featuring his paintings.

The collection features pieces that rediscover the charm of vintage clothing by utilizing the well-crafted designs of older items and incorporating a sense of respect for the original makers while adding new designs.

• Shintaro Nishihashi

  Born in Osaka in 1992, this painter and graphic designer primarily creates hand-painted works featuring plants and animals, as well as typography, illustrations, graphics, signs, and products. While also accepting custom orders for vintage fabrics, they are based in Tokyo and actively hold exhibitions.