Hoje apresento-vos o delicado mundo de sonho de
cocon... esta é a marca criada por Masami, uma japonesa que vive no sul de França, apaixonada por moda, pelo mar e pelo imaginário infantil que vive dentro de cada um de nós.
Cocon é uma marca de roupa de criança, bonecos de pano e acessórios para a casa, nascidos de uma imaginação fértil e repletos de pormenores deliciosos. Fiquem a conhecer melhor Masami e o seu trabalho e digam-me o que pensam!
[Este post pertence à rubrica semanal {
the interview series},
onde publico uma nova entrevista todas as quartas-feiras,
com artistas e bloggers inspiradores que admiro, de
acordo com o espírito handmade e um estilo de vida
criativo. Tornem-se fãs no
facebook e não percam nada!
Por motivos óbvios de extensão e compreensão do
texto, tanto pelos entrevistados como pelos
potenciais leitores do resto do mundo, a entrevista
segue em inglês.]
Today I present you the delicate dreamy world of
cocon... this is the brand created by Masami, a Japanese living in Southern France, passionate by fashion, the sea and the children imaginary that lives within every one of us.
Cocon is a children's clothing label, but also fabric dolls and home accessories, born of a rich imagination and filled with delicious details. Get to know Masami and her work and tell me what do you think!
[This post belongs to the weekly feature {the interview series}
where I publish a new interview every wednesday with
inspiring artists and bloggers I admire, according to the
spirit of handmade and a creative lifestyle. Become a facebook fan and don't miss a bit!]
Akatsuka Masami | cocon
Céret, Southern France
1. Let’s pretend we don’t know each other and I’ve never heard about Masami or cocon. Tell us a bit about yourself.
Hello! I’m masami, a japanese who lives in France, mother of two children Kai and Moë.
I’m stylist, designer, creator, artist, inventor... as you want!
2. You went to fashion school in Tokyo and fine arts school in France, where you now live. How was this creative passion born and when did cocon began to take shape?
Since I was a little girl I was very passionate about art. maybe not “art” exactly at that time, but something that is born and that creates a bubble on the universe by hand anyway. I think that my world was already in it, but cocon began to take shape after my children were born, I had more confidence in myself.
3. Your creations with fabric are soft and delicate. Share with us the philosophy and concepts behind your work.
hmmm... philosophy and concept, for me it's the interpretation that can be given after my world is already present. My work is not born from that, it's very spontaneous.
4. You develop limited series of handcrafted products, from beautiful dolls to clothing and everyday accessories. Would you share your creative process with us?
Nothing simpler! Limited, because I make everything alone.
Ideas fall into my head, then idea is transformed into form, there's a selection of fabric and color,
5. Your wonderful characters are stylized, almost surreal! Would you consider they live among children’s imaginary or are destined to every child within us, adults?
Both. They come perhaps from children’s imaginary or even from the imaginary of adults who keep some good childhood memories - I kept in the brain and made it a mixture of child-adult.
6. I must say I love your jade plants and original mobiles! How about you: would you share a favorite and a best seller with us?
A best seller is
kamomé (seagull) mobile for a while and my favorite is... all!
7. Your fashion background shows in your creations: you develop beautiful clothing collections, both to your dolls and children, as they are inspired by one another. Which one comes first? I’m curious about the upcoming collection! Can you give us a sneak peek?
Almost all starts with the ideas of clothing for children and then I adapt them to the clothing for the dolls.
Except the imaginary doll, I decide the clothing through each character.
The new collection of cocon clothing will be out late April or early May, I hope. I would love to make a boy doll clothing in this collection!
8. Through your shop your creations travel all around the world! What means do you use to promote your work?
Internet. If I waited here in this small town, nothing would ever happen. If I can work around the world, it's because humans have created this great tool!
9. Would you share with us a regular day at work?
I work on the days when children are at school from 9 am to 5 pm. Sometimes on the weekend.
I will soon have a work space, so I would really like to separate my work and private life.
10. Would you give us a glimpse of your working space? Describe it and tell us what you love most about it.
My little work space is on the corner of our living room next to the dining room. Lots of things move along the day. I try to have around the table things essential to free my mind, like pebbles, driftwood, leaves, seeds, shell, glands...
Now I’m very happy to soon have a work space just for me, just for cocon.
11. You take beautiful photographs, both from your creations and the world that surrounds you - I bet photography must be one of your other passions… Would you share your hobbies with us?
My passion for photography started when I was a student at fashion school, where I learned about the development.
More things I like... music, films, take a walk, DIY! Right now I don't have much free time.
12. You now live in the south of France, tell us what you enjoy most about it. Do you miss your roots?
Nature, it's the element I need. Here, we are lucky: we have the sea, mountains, river and lake without going too far. In fact, I left Paris to stay close to the Mediterranean Sea. I knew nobody, but no matter.
My father loves the sea, he took me there often. My need of the presence of the sea near me comes from my childhood, I think.
I miss my roots? Yes, sometimes when I’m weak and sad. But I don’t regret my choices.
Now, I'm struggling to create the roots here in France for my children.
Life is funny.
13. If you could live in any historical era of your choice, what would it be? Why?
Youth in the 60's to 80's - less individualism, incredible energy.
People were more flexible, I believe (watching my husband).
14. What advices would you give to someone who would also like to become an entrepreneur?
I don't know if it’s me who can give advice... we just must believe what we do.
15. What are your plans for the future? And your most unrealistic dreams?
Ah! Our dream is to go around the world sailing - and then my little work place in it!
Now a quick question and answer game so we can find a bit more about you and your tastes!
Tell us one:
book: illusion, Richard Bach
music: Ray lamontagne (his voice touches me deeply)
movie: Dead Man
personality/artist: my children, Kai and Moë are so creative and surprising
color: white
object: wooden item, especially driftwood
animal: dog (indie and yoyo)
drink: red wine
food: natural food, japanese rice and fresh fish
season of the year: all seasons
travel destination: I'd like to visit more of our beautiful region
piece of clothing: vest, men’s clothing
secret: so, the secret is a secret!
Thank you for sharing your beautiful world with us Masami!
