JSong and... Way- Autumn/Winter 2013: In the Whimsical Park

JSong and ...Way's Autumn/Winter 2013 Collection: In the Whimsical Park

This season, designer Way Zen was influenced by the realm of the fairy spirits that protect plants, flowers, and human beings.  In this fantastic world, magical creatures wear JSong and ...Way's nature inspired designs.  The pieces were mostly black, white and cream with a few bright red, deep purple, moss green and gold outfits in natural cotton, silk and wool.   The designer combined simple comfort with elegance with outfits like a monochromatic black lace shirt and shorts set. Way Zen is known for her floral embroidery, but this time there were some more layered pieces, such as a black and white long sleeved embroidered shirt paired with white shantung pants and a long purple shantung dress with a peplum like layer.  A fun gold sequined pullover with black crepe pants and gold sequined cardigan and black georgette skirt were a slight departure from the typical JSong looks.   The last outfit of the show, was a crowd pleaser: a luxurious white wool cape embellished with a feather and paired with black leggings.  To learn more about JSong and ...Way visit jsongcollection.com or visit the JSong Facebook page.

Black lace top and black/white cotton wrap pants

Model Yuen in Black crepe top and black chiffon pleated skirt

Snow Day at Kenroku-en Garden

Snow Day

The weather gods were kind to me on my recent trip to Kanazawa, Japan this past December. The week before I arrived, Kanazawa was suffering from wet, icy weather.  But while I was there, it was clear and sunny.  But on my last day on my visit to Kenroku-en Garden, one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan, it snowed, providing a breath-taking and wondrous landscape!

4 Corners of a Circle

Visit to Sugihara Washi Paper in Fukui

While I was visiting Kanazawa, Japan for work last month,  I had a wonderful opportunity through The Art of Travel to travel to Fukui City in Ishikawa prefecture to visit the Sugihara Washi Factory.  I met the president of Sugihara Washiya, Mr. Sukihara who gave my colleague and I a special tour of the factory where they hand make Echizen washi paper from all natural materials.  The washi paper making technique has a 1500 year history.  Yet the process has not changed much and it was interesting to see how the paper is made.  The quality of the paper that is produced in the factory is extremely fine yet durable.  Sugihara washi-trees and washi-flowers designed by Joerg Gessner is currently being displayed at the Guerlain Champs-Elysées, Paris Shop until February 10th, 2013.  

Mr. Yushinao Sugihara, president of Sugihara Washiya showing us the hemp that is used to make paper.

We were also very fortunate to be introduced to one of Japan's living national treasures, Mr. Ichibei Iwanoa, who is the 9th generation paper maker in his family, who is devoted to his work in washi making.

Mr. Ichibei Iwanoa, one of Japan's Living National Treasure showing how he removes the "junk" from the hemp

The almost final product!

The "secret" ingredient that holds the paper together like glue!

  Mr. Sugihara also took us to visit the local shrine of the goddess of washi.

Ringing in some good luck at the shrine.