What matters for me
IKÉMATO
Brand’s name story
When I looked up for my brand’s name I thought : Whisper, Iki, Sasayaki, Textile talking, Hisohiso,.
But, every word was already taken.
I wondered:what really matters for me in life ? Which value is crucial ? It is Peace , respect of life’s dignity.
The value itself; the decision of peace takes centre stage in my life.
I then created IKÉMATO イケマト joining the beginning of three family names. Daisaku IKÉDA (1928-), Tsunesaburo MAKIGUCHI (1871-1944) and Josei TODA (1900 – 1958) three men deeply involved in Peace.
You can find out more here (ˇ∀ˇ )
DIVERSITY
For me, it is diversity that creates harmony,
I work with vintage, pre-loved Japanese kimonos, making new items. One day, I want to combine them with Beninese patterns ; tie them to European textile design – Kiripi Katembo, a Congolese photographer, made me want to create discussion between Kyoto and Kinshasa patterns and textile fabrics. To go further
Plurals– Multiples – Differences – Rejects ,that’s what makes us human And that’s what matters to me : our interdependence. Our correlations, reliances and complementarity – Weaving bonds.
PATTERNS : Lines and Drawings
To Japan, I wentto find out about shaping textile – how could I create a voluminous design from a flat, versatile and smooth material like textile? Would origami be helpful ? Is gravity less in Japan?
I caught glimpses of possibilities to create three-dimensional pieces, but above all, I found drawings, paintings – seasons and lines. These vintaged designed lines from weaver’s hands, I shipped by boat as a present for my return.
PATTERNS : Lines and Drawing
To Japan , I went to find out about shaping textile – how could I create a voluminous design from a flat, versatile and smooth material like textile? Would origami be helpful ? Is gravity less in Japan?
I caught glimpses of possibilities to create three-dimensional pieces, but above all, I found drawings, paintings – seasons and lines. These vintaged designed lines from weaver’s hands, I shipped by boat as a present for my return.
UPCYCLING
Extend our lives
I exclusively work with vintage garments – kimonos. By chance – those of japanese side lanes : the language, desire, encounters
I love the stretch of life lived on textilematerial; the distorted stories of lives, its wear and tear – their past steals a glance towards the future.
Material movement as a breath.
Breathing which does not choke tomorrow.
