YURI HIMURO is a Tokyo-based textile brand led by designer Yuri Himuro.
The brand creates unique and exciting original textiles, and also handles client work such as providing designs for companies and producing spatial designs.
YURI HIMURO's textiles bring surprise, emotion, and comfort to those who touch them, much like a novel that weaves a story into the fabric itself.
Designer Yuri Himuro's playful designs that bring smiles to people's faces, her unique techniques, and her attempts to build new relationships between textiles and people are at the core of this brand.
With a father who worked in design, design was always close at hand for her from a young age. She went on to study textile design at Tama Art University, and then pursued a master's degree to deepen her knowledge of textiles.
"Even when studying design, I thought it would be good to work with something familiar and interactive. Textiles are very familiar and can be found in various parts of the house. I thought that by studying textile materials and designs, I could propose new products."
A one-year exchange program at Aalto University in Finland during her first year of graduate school significantly changed her approach to textiles.
There, she learned about Jacquard weaving, which allows for free instruction of warp and weft overlaps, enabling three-dimensional and pictorial designs.
While learning the techniques locally, Himuro was captivated by the freedom and possibilities of Jacquard weaving. After returning to Japan, she continued to build a new world of textiles in collaboration with factories across the country.
Her works are sprinkled with inspiration gained from everyday scenery and interactions with local people during her studies abroad, such as the beautiful landscapes of Lapland in northern Finland and experiences on ice-covered lakes after saunas. Looking at textiles woven with such scenery makes you feel as if you are enjoying that very moment with her.
SNIP SNAP
After returning from Finland, she created three series as graduate school projects: SNIP SNAP, which changes when cut with scissors; motion textile, which changes patterns depending on the viewing angle like an accordion picture; and HIDE AND SEEK, where patterns seem to play hide-and-seek on the front and back.
In particular, SNIP SNAP became emblematic of her subsequent approach to textiles. It releases stories and surprises hidden within the fabric by cutting them with scissors.
"Rather than creating beautiful fabrics, I wanted to create surprise and enjoyment in the relationship between people and fabric."
Scrap Material as a Resource
One of YURI HIMURO's active initiatives is the reuse of scraps and waste materials generated during the production process. Instead of simply discarding them, they are reinterpreted as new textile materials.
These materials, each with a different character, are organically breathed new life into by Himuro and her staff member Misaki Noguchi.
The slippers (EGG SLIPPER -LINT01) are made from waste materials produced at the factory during the production of the BLOOM blanket series.
While this recycling attempt suggests sustainable production, it seemed more that they were genuinely enjoying the intrinsic charm of the materials themselves, judging by their expressions when discussing scraps and their creative process.
Through Textiles
YURI HIMURO doesn't just see textiles as mere fabric. They are something that enriches daily life and builds new relationships between users and products.
"I create simply with the desire to entertain people. What kind of fabric would surprise them, or bring them joy? I think the surprise of something changing can be conveyed without words, from small children to people overseas. I really enjoy creating such things."
Through international exhibitions and lectures, she shares her charm with the world. Her textiles have the power to move people's hearts across cultures.
Through her works, we can feel the infinite appeal of textiles and the warmth, joy, and importance of "everyday life."
It's like being in a story woven into the fabric by her own hands.
When I visited her studio in downtown Tokyo and interviewed her, I had the impression that she was not what you would typically expect from a creator, in a good way. She was not exclusive or pretentious. She spoke kindly and entertained us. Her sensibility and personality are what make the world exciting through her textiles. It was truly a wonderful time again.
