neulo

Pop-up store at Goldyard

Words / Phaedrus Lam
Photography / Kimio Ng
Translation / Iris Heung

⟨ 16 February 2018 ⟩

穿行在錯綜複雜的上環區街巷，我們來到香港的時尚選物店GOLDYARD，參與由店家與neulo合辦的快閃店活動。剛抵步時，眼光瞬即被櫥窗裡所懸起的巨幅掛墊吸引住。至於本來紛雜的商品層架，在今天都被店主特意挪開，並置換上熊谷美沙子華麗的針織品；錯落有致地，獨佔去店面中的一整面牆。

作為名造型師、攝影師熊谷隆志的太太，熊谷美沙子的創作路線與丈夫卻迥異不同。由她獨立主理的neulo，從素材蒐集到造型創意，均由熊谷美沙子一手包辦；在其作品中，你經常會看見她一口氣用上好幾款不同色樣、粗細的毛線，編織成單條的掛墊，引來了極其豐盈的手感與色澤。而這次適逢熊谷美沙子親身來到香港，我們便與她相約在GOLDYARD的店面，進行了一個短短的訪談。

After strolling through these intertwining alleys in Sheung Wan area, we arrived at GOLDYARD, a local shop specializing in fashion and accessories, to participate their pop-up event in collaboration with the Japanese wool knits brand neulo. Upon arrival, our attention was instantly caught by the massive tapestry hanging behind the display window. To welcome the event, the shop owner even cleared up the display shelves to make room for the exquisite wool knits created by Misako Kumagai. The items were unevenly yet sleekly positioned to fill up a whole wall of the shop.

Married to the acclaimed stylist/photographer Takashi Kumagai, Misako Kumagai’s artistic style is rather different to her husband’s. Not only did she found and run the brand neulo as her solo project, Misako is also solely responsible for every step of her entirely hand-knitted or hand-woven items from material sourcing to styling. One of the signature items of neulo is the tapestry woven with yarn of diverse colors and thicknesses, which give rise to a vibrant color and a rich texture. We had the pleasure to talk to Misako Kumagai while she was in Hong Kong.

你通常會在哪些地方、場合蒐集創作素材？

旅行時會用手機找當地有趣的店家，也有些是到當地前先物色好的，通常是專售中古物的商店。基本上我每年都有一至兩次旅遊機會，有時候丈夫公幹時也會隨著他出門。

經常旅遊的你最喜歡到哪個國家？

主要是美國吧！特別喜歡美國的新墨西哥州，我很喜歡到訪那種老社區挖寶。

From where do you usually source your materials?

When traveling, I would look for interesting shops using my mobile. Sometimes I do my research before setting off for my trip. Places that interest me are mostly antique shops. I usually travel once or twice per year; I sometimes just tag along with my husband when he travels for work.

You seem to be well-traveled. Which country or place do you like the best?

The United States! I’m particularly into New Mexico in the States, where I can have my treasure hunting in some older communities.

你比較習慣在白天抑或晚上創作？

我通常在晚上創作，因為白天要忙應付家事，像是打掃和開伙做飯，通常都要等到丈夫入睡後，才能夠專心在家做自己的事。

那你工作時有需要什麼東西陪伴嗎？

我在工作時都會點香薰產品，通常是偏天然的味道。只要有香氣的話，創作的衝動就會瞬間被點燃起來。

Do you tend to work during the day or at night?

I usually work at night. During the day, I am often busy with house chores, cleaning and cooking, for instance. Working from home, I can focus on making new items for my brand only when my husband is asleep.

Are there any specific items that you need when working?

I use room fragrance while working, as my creativity can always be sparkled by aroma. My preference is the natural scents.

這次與GOLDYARD的合作是如何促成的？

其實從一年前我們就開始互通電郵，經過多次來回溝通後，最終決定在2018年初舉行。

這次的快閃店活動中有特別的概念嗎？

我老家在神奈川的葉山町，那邊的環境很舒適，周遭都是山和海，自己會感覺被大自然簇擁著。這次的快閃店活動，其實就是想表現出神奈川當地的自然氛圍。另外GOLDYARD方面也有建議說活動色調可以多用白色，灰色和銀色，而這方面的意見也有採納進去。

最後想知道，在這次展品之中你最喜歡那一件？

我最喜歡這一個（下圖），形態很像一隻羊，而且是最有人氣的作品。

What triggered your collaboration with GOLD YARD?

Our first email conversation actually began a year ago. After a few communications, we had decided to hold the event in 2018.

Is there a dedicated theme for the pop-up event?

My hometown is in Hayama, Kanagawa Prefecture. It is a serene mountainous town by the sea; the town is where you can feel being embraced by nature. The pop-up event is themed around the vibe of the natural landscape in Kanagawa Prefecture. GOLD YARD also proposed to focus on white, gray and white as the event’s theme color. I have also incorporated their suggestions into the event.

One last question. Which is your favorite work of the current exhibition and why?

I like this the best (image below). It looks like a sheep, and it is the most popular work.