Hamlet and Story: Inventory

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Inventory: Muji

I discovered Muji early this year when I was in Thailand. It was an outcast day and I was doing some housework, folding clothes & hanging up the wash, only to be spontaneously invited by aunt's friend to do some shopping therapy and treat ourselves with some Japanese food at Fuji in Bangkok Central Plaza (she was fustrated by her husband so it was women's instinct to go on the escape). Naturally the invitation was accepted with an immediate yes as the days for outings and excursions were on its final countdown. You could call it luck because I had no idea what or who Muji was until we accidentally stumbled upon it while pondering around feeling a little bored (since the complex felt much like the department stores in Sydney). As my eyes hit the wooden interiors I knew it would be good - finally something worth the trip to Bangkok - and it was indeed very very good.

The ambience was amazing. Wooden shelves. Illuminated space. Minimal design. All accompanied by this Japanese mountainy folksy sort of music. It felt so good, so natural... it made you want to run away from civilisation and live in your own Japanese-tea-house-hut on a mountain with 360 degrees of spectacular views.

The Muji philosophy is simple; products of simplicity, high quality & reasonable price. Muji lives up to this with their less is more aesthetics and wonderful quality. It considers itself as a 'non-brand' as their identity has no logo but is characterised by their packaging which incorporates simple brown/recycled paper with blood red colour scheme. While it's not particularly cheap, the price tag isn't exaggerated either; when they say reasonable price they mean it. After extensively browsing the store and pretty much falling in love with every item I touched I ended up settling with four goodies: socks, stockings, pyjamas and tunic (as price had me feeling slightly guilty I didn't splurge as much as I would have... particularly since I was in Thailand where things are meant to be 'cheap', the cost of Muji products would seem exaggerated even though they're standard in Australia). Despite the price (and perhaps that it is made in China... like all things) which initially made my stomach flip, I'm telling you it's worth it - the beauty is in the simplicity & preciousness of the materials - the timeless design means it'll last you a long time... forget disposable.

90 Degree Angled Muji Socks / Wine Red / Dotted: They're super soft
Ladies' Tights / Horizontal textured
Ladies' Sleeper / 100% Cotton / Light Pink & White Gingham: I've worn this over and over like crazy. It's so comfortable! My favourite PJs most certainly. (and has pockets)
Ladies' Tunic / 100% Cotton / Cream & Deep Burgundy / Striped: I don't usually buy anything like it - but I was somehow intrigued to try it on and it felt good. It also has pockets and the material is also quite thick so it's great for winter.
Brands A to Z: Muji by Peng Yangjun and Chen Jiaojiao / published by Southbank Publishing: I discovered the book in my library while trying to find White by Kenya Hara (Only to realise that Hara is the muji advisor + art director of Muji... but I'll stop talking he deserves a post of his own)

Although Muji was a new discovery to me, Muji is in fact not at all new and has actually been around for while now since the 1980s in response to the cheap poor quality products that were dominating the supermarket environment. Today the Japanese company has chain stores around the world (one of them being Bangkok but none in Sydney as of yet *sadface*) selling over 7000 products of which are mostly household products. Among the store I visited I also found these beautiful bed sheets which felt and looked amazing, very soft men's cardigan in my deep red/purple colour (unfortunately not vegan), and compact earmuffs (would love it for switzerland :3) just to name a few highlights. There are stores in Germany so you know one of the places I'll be at next year :)

The Muji compact ear muffs / Photo from Good Things blog

/Ham

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Inventory: Chup Socks

I always value quality over quantity and the Chup Socks certainly live up to this philosophy. The Japanese label Chup, (Creative Human Universal Products) by Glen Clyde, produces beautifully crafted high quality socks incorporating ethnical, indigenous & native patterns that are inspired by nature. They're manufactured using vintage stocking frame machines that weaves incredibly complex & intricate designs which means that the production process is slow where one machine is only able to produce 20-25 socks per day. They also use yarns called 'eco-yarn' which is made from recycled threads.

Needless to say... they are perfection - not perfect - but perfection. Let me write a completely biased list of reasons why:

A Japanese Label: Almost anything Japanese (except for excessive consumption of whales & seafood, nuclear power and cheesy kawaii doramas) is a win
It's all about slowing down for quality's sake. Craftsmanship.
A perfect addition to anyone's sock collection (caus' we all have that)
Eco-friendly vision (self explanatory)
Variety of Indigenous inspired designs from Nordics to Navajo.
Makes you want to be an explorer.

I first spotted these little treasures on an escalator on my way up to Kinokuniya (TGV) eyeing the store Carhatt. This is habit. I always spy on this store even though it's predominantly for the male demographic but I never dared to go in by myself. This time however I absolutely could not hold back anymore (but technically I also had moral support - mum) for when I first laid my eyes on the Chups 5-10 metres away, through glass, and moving - it was instant love.

To be quite honest with you, my visit in the store involved one touch (and mental devour) of the socks (THEY WERE GORGEOUS.. SOFT... PERFECT), a quick nervous glance & feel around here and there, and a pick up of their catalogue before dashing off. Don't ask me why I proceeded like that okay? I mean sure there was a box full of discounted women's tees (psssh)... sure I shouldn't have to be such a chicken... and it's not like I'll be judged or anything... but maybe it was best that the world didn't have to divide and categorise clothing into male & female. Imagine that. A world where all clothes were labelled as unisex... think about it. Just think about it. Until then, I'll just... you know... try to tear down that imaginary wall...

However, there is also the dark side to this story. I would say "For every cloud there is a silver lining" (but I realise I got that quote all wrong... I always thought it was the silver lining that was dark part... not the clouds... for I love clouds...) but since that won't work let's just forget about quoting a saying altogether. As much as the Chups are beautiful, and if you're like me, a student, poor, and in saving up mode....... then... ohhhh boyyyy... they were $35 a pair... Instant. Heartbreak. Mind you, it's worth it ... it's reallly worth it... but unless you're happy to add that into my inventory, I think for now... (Yep, time to face the music) I'm not ready to splurge.