Interior Lifestyle Tokyo

For this post of Tokyo Designed, I headed to the manmade island of Odaiba in Tokyo bay to check out the IFFT ‘Interior Lifestyle living’ show, to do some research for new products to write about in future issues of the Weekender. The giant event showcased hundreds of products from furniture and lighting to kitchen gadgets. International designers and home grown talent displayed rafts of innovative and creative products.

A lot of designs on show were prototypes of future products, or new ideas looking to be picked up by retailers. Graduates and international companies displayed side by side in the huge halls of Tokyo Big Sight, giving young creatives the opportunity to be spotted and recruited by bigger retailers and suppliers.

Japan is famed for producing quirky designs in fashion, animation and products. The attention to detail paid by the designers here was very high. From traditional styled Japanese lacquer USB drives (above) to optical mice and keyboards made entirely from wood, the wealth of products on offer was astounding.

The bags below)are faced in a new patented woven-wood technique, using thin layers of wood from different species of Japanese trees; the creator was hoping to sell the products in stores. Designs also included wallets, handbags and notebook covers.

International designs brought a lot of new and different ideas to the show, such as the Alessi Bunny toothpick holders (below) from Italy and the new cool little Seiko ‘Tokyo’ clock, of course from Japan. The contrast between different countries was great to see.

Some cool little toys and gizmos on display included a Japanese collectable favorite, a limited edition ‘Verner Panton’ BearBrick figure.

A funny and affordable item was the Cupman (below) available now to buy at shops in Tokyo such as Tokyu Hands, Don Quijote and Beams. The Cupmen lie on top of your instant ramen or cup noodle as you wait for the noodles to cook.