Posts from — June 2009

Since I last wrote about them, Wasara has added quite a few products to their originally limited line, including 2 combo sets. Ever since they debuted about 1 year ago the reaction abroad has been quite substantial. I’ve had numerous people contact me about obtaining the beautiful line of disposable tableware.

But there’s also been a fair amount of criticism, mainly circling around the fact that in the end – eco-friendly or not – disposable plates are wasteful. A valid point. So here’s an alternative. You can actually go straight to the original designer, Shinichiro Ogata, who was hired to design the wasara line and buy some very similar ceramic products. You can enter his studio website HERE.

Related:

• Shinichiro Ogata of SIMPLICITY

Last month Coca Cola Japan unveiled I LOHAS, a new brand of bottled water, in response to mounting criticism towards the environmental impact of the luxurious practice. They claim that their 12g PET bottle is the lightest to be ever manufactured in Japan, therefore reducing the environmental impact. I don’t know… a plastic bottle is still a plastic bottle, right? But I must say, nice packaging and identity design by graphic designer Yuji Tokuda. Clever usage as leaf/windmill logo to give it that eco-friendly twist.

Related:

• Yuji Tokuda | Art Director
• Retired Weapons by Yuji Tokuda

Wow…cupcakes never looked so good! I just discovered these gorgeous glass covers over at one of my favorite shops, zero first design (included in my tokyo design guide).  Aptly titled “glass martians,” these hand-blown food covers would look amazing in a kitchen or even as a plant cover,  which I believe glass cloches were originally designed for.  By Fabrica Studio and Galleria Secondo Me.

My wife just found these achingly adorable toddler ponchos and umbrellas designed by UK artist Rob Ryan for Afternoon Tea – perhaps the equivalent to Dean & Deluca in Japan? Is that a fair comparison? Rob Ryan is popular in Japan – probably thanks to his tie-up with Paul Smith.

I’m totally scoring a set for little huey, who loves a rainy day as much as cats love sunbathing.

Related:

• Rob Ryan gives Daimaru Dept Store a makeover