‘Love’ was the theme of the 23rd annual Tokyo Designers Week (30 Oct – 3 Nov), and there were plenty of creations to fall head over heels for among the more than 500 exhibitors.
See more highlights from Tokyo Design Week
Unlike many events on the international design calendar, Tokyo takes design to the people, with key fairs 100% Design in the Aoyama district and Design Tide in Roppongi, drawing close to 100,000 visitors, while over 100 smaller locations across the city draw further crowds to their mini-exhibitions.
100% Design, the main draw, consisted of three vast exhibition tents and combined big names (Shin Azumi, Peter Liversidge, Michael Young) and big companies (Toto, Sony, G-Star, to name a few), with the nation’s top design universities and emerging talents.
But it was the smaller Design Tide ¬- that truly came of age this year. Young designers with a big future were out in force and, as if to help them along, some of the most revered names in Japanese design joined the party. The father of Japanese design, 97-year-old Riki Watanabe not only exhibited, but came to speak. Add to that new works by Tendo Ply, Final Home, Sfera and Kenzo, as well as the fabulous new venue, and it was plain to see that Design Tide is going from strength to strength.
There may well be a global economic crisis but going by the shows and after-parties at Tokyo Design Tide – it seems Love can in fact conquer all.
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‘Marie Antoinette Style’ at the V&A dares us to consider the woman beneath the artificeThe most intriguing objects in the V&A’s landmark exhibition on Marie Antoinette are not the sumptuous gowns or jewellery, but those which expose the French monarch’s corporality – from her spittoon to a toiletry case – argues India Birgitta Jarvis
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Apple unveils its next-gen camera in a powerful new photography exhibitionThe new iPhone 17 Pro Max takes centre stage in a New York exhibition where artists Inez & Vinoodh, Mickalene Thomas, and Trunk Xu explore the theme of joy
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Aram Gallery spotlights a pioneering material that could be upholstered furniture’s less toxic futureAt Aram Gallery for London Design Festival 2025, eight designers experiment with EcoLattice’s 3D-printed foam to showcase the material’s comfort, creativity, and everyday use
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Paper flower gardens and neon mushrooms, Loewe's 'Crafted World' is rooted in heritage, innovation, and child-like wonder'Crafted World' by Loewe is fashion house's first major brand exhibition, opening in Tokyo’s Harajuku district
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Designart Tokyo transforms the city into a museum of creativityDesignart Tokyo presents global design highlights through a series of exhibitions involving global creative talent and traditional Japanese craft
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Exhibition in Japan celebrates all things EamesTo mark the 80th anniversary of the Eames design office, Tokyo’s Isetan The Space gallery hosts an exhibition (until 5 January 2022), highlighting some of Charles and Ray Eames’ most celebrated designs as well as new editions and collaborations
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Fritz Hansen Tokyo HQ opens in Kengo Kuma-designed buildingFritz Hansen unveils a new Tokyo HQ, in a building originally designed by Kengo Kuma in 1991. In a new film created to mark the opening, the architect shares his creative vision and his views on both Scandinavian and Japanese design
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Designart Tokyo transforms the city into a living, multi-sensory museumThe third edition of the fair (18-27 October) showcases over 100 exhibitions across the Japanese capital
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How Tokyo’s creative universe is evolving at Designart’s second edition -
The things that define you: an exhibition of zakka at 21_21 Design Sight Tokyo -
Tokyo Designers Week 2013: The highs and lows
