To have been selected to take part in this exceptional Paris collaboration, has truly been an honor and privilege for us at Pagong Kyoto…

The “SOME and ORI” PROJECT was designed to bring together eight of the most established weaving and dyeing factories in the Kyoto area. “Some” meaning “to dye”, and “Ori” meaning “to weave”, the artisan families which were selected, all had to be remaining faithful to their traditional origins, and united and driven by a common philosophy, that of preserving their heritage with the wish to promote, and share their skill the rest of the world.

The Atelier Blancs Manteaux was an ideal setting to show the works, which were created taking inspiration from the Japanese “art of living”, under the direction of Paris-based fashion industry veteran Mineaki Saito.

The former President and CEO of Hermes Japan and the Vice President of Hermes International, Saito demonstrated and shared through this venture that he understands tradition, as well as its link to the world of luxury.

In fact, Saito thinks luxury needs an “update”, and he’s hoping Japan, with its embedded national philosophy of zen, can lead the way. “I think it’s time to see a new luxury brand… I’m talking about spiritual luxury or emotional luxury, “ he said.

From the onset, the goal of Atelier Blancs Manteaux was to present and promote elements of Japanese heritage, halfway between art, and traditional craftsmanship.

Artisans were asked to use their traditional “know-how” to develop works of quality, while adapting them to modern life needs, especially where fashion and luxury are their best assets.

Here, we would like to present some of the fashions which Pagong created with great joy for this extraordinary project.