It is already April according to the calendar.
The weather is not cooperating to get warmer;
seems like every year the wait for spring is tantalizing.

Regarding the recent state of the atelier.
It is preparation time for the exhibition which we will have in May.
The overall image for the collection is fairly complete
and now it is time for detailing.
I guess it is like turning the ring and focusing to make things sharper.
At this stage of work, the pace is fast and personally I like the flow.

Being busy now instead of being busy right before the exhibition starts
is a sign that things are going smoothly
but you cannot get caught slipping.

Naoyuki Inoue / Production

This weekend the WTAPS new season
96-69 has started.

From the cold lingering now,
to the hot summer to come,
the collection moves while
synchronizing along with the seasonal change.

We would be happy if you could enjoy along.

Naoyuki Inoue / Production

Many may know this from the designer’s blog,
but the radio is always on in the atelier.
Of course it depends on the workflow but
usually it is on all day.

CDs or iTunes playing your favorite songs is one thing,
but songs suddenly from the radio by someone other than you,
at a different pace has a different feel to it.
I guess the key is the form of spontaneity and public access.

Before work listening to the same radio station the first topic of the day may be a song we heard or during work if there is an interesting topic or selection we may look at each other;
I feel the radio is also effective when time is spent together in the same place.

Naoyuki Inoue / Production

This is the first blog for this year.
But it is already February.
If you leave it, time will just pass on by.
I would like to get things rolling now.

Recently at the atelier days have been pretty busy with several projects taking place alongside preparation for the next exhibition which has already started since last year.
With each having errands to attend, time where everyone is not present is increasing.

Not really because of this,
but when everyone is here, it seems like there is a lot of “chatting” going on.
What may be considered useless and aimless talk,
is abundant during work.

If productivity does not decrease
but instead increases
then that can be proudly called part of “work”.

Naoyuki Inoue / Production

The exhibition ended last week free of trouble and hassle.
It was a good opportunity for us to meet and speak directly
to people from local and overseas shops and those in the industry
besides from having people see what we will be doing.
This time was another important week for the brand.

And from this week, I am switching my mindset to the next exhibition.
There are many other projects going on at the same time,
so it is better to start things sooner.

Leaving a mark on the calendar 6 months ahead,
we have started moving towards EX21.

Naoyuki Inoue / Production