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The poetic jewellery

KIKKOU

「當完全不相同的物料連結在一起時,便會瀰漫著浪漫的氛圍。」亀甲有美說道。冰冷的金屬與柔軟的紗線,各走兩極,放在一起時,卻沒有半點違和感。細密的紗線包覆著幼細的金屬,為冰冷的金屬帶來溫暖輕柔的觸感;堅固的金屬在陽光下閃爍著一絲光芒,在溫柔與堅實之間,散發簡約優雅的氣息。「首飾是一樣很重要的東西,它是表達自我的一種方式。」亀甲有美曾於京都造型藝術大學修讀染色及紡織,畢業後投入紗線染色的創作,於2010年建立了配飾品牌KIKKOU,作品於日本國內的藝廊和選物店發售。

“Combining materials of vastly different properties together can create a romantic vibe,” says Kikko Yumi. Imagine the coldness of metal and the softness of yarn — two qualities seemingly stem from two extremes — can somehow go so well together. Carefully wrapped in delicate yarn, the iciness of thin metal strips is completely offset and even exudes a gentle vibe of tenderness. In the sun, the unyielding piece of metal is glittering and radiates a refined note of elegance. “Accessories are a crucial medium to express oneself.”  Upon graduating from a program of dyeing and textile at Kyoto University of Art and Design, Yumi dedicated herself to the art of yarn dyeing and founded the accessories brand KIKKOU in 2010. Today her works can be extensively found in various galleries and boutique shops all over Japan. 

第一次看到KIKKOU的首飾時,深深被它自然又律動的漸變色所吸引。顏色是具靈魂的,有著自然的規律與節奏,剛好的疏密和鬆緊,帶來的細膩的觸感。「我所用的紗線是由一些經驗豐富的工匠染製而成的。一開始時,它是不均勻染色的絲帶,我被它複雜的漸變顏色所吸引,於是便把絲帶拆解成一條一條的紗線,並拿它來製作戒指、耳環和胸針等飾物。」拆解然後重組,在這過程之中,亀甲有美得到了無窮樂趣,也為本來平凡的金屬首飾添上浪漫的詩意。「在製作首飾的時候,我希望別人戴著它時,會感受到浪漫的氛圍和表現出獨特的氣質。如果它們能夠成為別人的幸運配飾或是帶來勇氣,會讓我感到很開心。另外,我也希望擁有KIKKOU的人能注意它們的維修和保養,這樣才能更長久地使用。」

除了包覆漸變色的紗線,亀甲有美也會加上天然的珍珠和晶石,戴在身上更顯得清新優雅。「我喜歡胸針和耳環,它們的漸變色鮮明有層次,卻不會顯得高調,而且簡約的設計很適合日常配戴。」簡潔和個性的設計令KIKKOU很受歡迎,款式長青又富時尚感。亀甲有美:「雖然我沒有偏愛的時尚風格,但我喜歡穿著自然舒適的服飾。我習慣依據感覺來選東西,愛到古著店或二手店尋寶,也會購買一些喜歡的藝術家所製作的東西。我盡量不去選擇只穿一季的快時尚服飾。」親手製作的東西充滿了雙手的痕跡,值得我們好好珍惜和使用。「我喜歡人手製作的東西,它們總是充滿個性和擁有豐富的情感,就好像一樣的食譜,由不同人來烹煮的話,食物的味道總是不會完全一樣的,這是非常有趣的事情。」

When I first encountered the accessories by KIKKOU, I was totally carried away by the natural transition of color shades, which appear so rhythmic. The soulful use of colors simply creates such natural patterns of harmony, that brings along a delicate touch. “The yarn I use is dyed by skillfully experienced artisans. The yarns first came as unevenly dyed ribbons. I was intrigued by the intricate patterns of color transitions and then prompted to disentangle them into separable threads, which I used to make accessories such as rings, earrings, and brooches.” Yumi takes infinite joy in the process of giving poetic qualities to ordinary metal accessories. “When I make accessories, I wish others can feel their romantic vibe and unique characters when wearing them. I would feel particularly blessed if my accessories become a lucky ring or something that can empower the owner. Moreover, I also wish the owners would pay attention to the maintenance of KIKKOU accessories, to ensure prolonged use.”

Besides wrapping with yarns of transitioning colors, Yumi also utilizes natural pearls and crystals to add more elegance to the accessories series. “I am very fond of brooches and earrings for their gradient colors, which are distinctive but in an elegantly subtle manner.” The minimalist designs oF KIKKOU can hardly go out of style, making them very suitable for everyday wearing. Yumi continues, “Although I do not really have a strong preference for fashion style, I am pretty keen on wearing comfortable everyday clothing. I always follow my own instincts when it comes to shopping. Vintage boutiques and thrift shops are naturally my treasure troves. I would also purchase works made by artists I like. I normally would avoid trendy clothes or style that would not last longer than one season.” Indeed, handicrafts are usually full of human touch that is well worth adoration and appreciation. “I love seeing handmade items, as they are always full of characters and sentiments. Imagine the same recipe falling into the hands of different people, I am sure the end products would never taste identical. Isn’t this an interesting thing?”

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「最近除了製作首飾給選物店,也正在為朋友製作結婚戒指。」亀甲有美說,「有空的時候,我喜歡花時間做一些無足輕重的事情,例如把鞋子刷亮、保養及修補衣服和飾物等。在買東西前嘗試深思熟慮一番,盡可能穿著或使用我珍視的東西久一點。」不再希望擁有更多的時候,生活反而會輕鬆一點,隨心而活才是她現在追求的東西。「我習慣不去刻意地管理空間和時間,偶然看到意外的事情發生,反而會感到很開心和有趣。對我來說,要完美地生活真的很困難呢。」

“Apart from producing accessories for curation stores, I am currently also making wedding rings for friends,” Yumi said, “In leisure time, I really like to spend time on trivial errands such as polishing and shining my shoes, or repairing and maintaining my clothes and accessories. I tend to think twice before buying anything and try my best to prolong the lifetime of the stuff that I own and use.” Life gets easier when you are free of the desire to own more. Learning how to follow her heart is the lifestyle she is yearning for now. “I always try to keep a very open approach to my own time and space management. I tend to follow the natural flow and get immensely amused by things that happen organically. I guess it is pretty challenging to lead a perfect life.”

KIKKOU is now available at ununliving

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