Based on the urban resort concept, the jewelry brand Kui Co., which launched simultaneously in Japan and the United States in 2015; its creations instantly give you the feel of the summer breeze as they are worn.
Kui Co. express the world’s beauty through “KUI Colour” blending our love for decorative arts, traditional craftsmanship and mother nature.
“KUI Colour” is the expression of the vibrant colors, sophisticated patterns, and elegant textures of our creations, echoing beautiful, exotic places around the world; the casual yet refined ambiance resonates.
We want you to experience that same relaxed, happy and lively feeling when you wear KUI jewelry. It sets you free, giving you the feeling that anything is possible, dreams can be made real even in the concrete jungle. Through KUI Colour, we share our inspiration and our happiness with you, wherever you may be.
Welcome to the world of Kui Co.
Inspiration
Our brand is inspired by artistry and refined craftsmanship of ancient Japan and European countries, and the beautiful scenery where nature and aesthetics of human instinct resonate.
We hand-pick rare semi-precious stones and incorporate high quality Japanese cylinder seed beads to create pieces with patterns and colors like no other. Each hand-crafted piece has its own story to tell, and a wondrous place to take you.
We also get inspired from gifts of mother nature like the whisper of a breeze, the lapping of waves on a beach, the play of crystalline sunlight on water, we believe that this kind of serenity can be captured by something beautiful—a piece of jewelry with a unique alchemy of color and texture—that in turn stimulates similar feelings for the wearer.
Japanese quality
“Made in Japan” is such a simple phrase, yet it evokes an image of exceptional design and high-quality production.
The product has a story to tell about Japan and embodies the craftworkers’ ethic of Monozukuri. It literally means making things. It is infused with a deeper impression of skilled craftsmen pouring their heart and soul into their work, striving for perfection regardless of time or cost. This traditional idea is probably the most important influence on contemporary Japanese product design.
Monozukuri is the commitment by the designer and manufacturer to do their best possible work by refining and redesigning repeatedly.
Designer's BIO - Yuki Akiyama
Born and grew up in Japan with a unique opportunity from a young age to interact with international communities.
She grew passionate about traditional craftsmanship and art that transcends generations through numerous visits abroad. Kui Co. is a fruit of her passion and desire to experience the true essence of creation.
Launched in 2015, after collaborating with the US apparel brand ANTHROPOLOGIE in 2016, in autumn 2016 she relocated to Paris to pursue design activities. From the back stages of runway show in Paris Fashion week, to the atelier of Haute Couture, life as a Parisian bathed in elegant beauty of European culture and latest trends pushed to develop skills in identifying and project inspirations.
Now relocated back to Japan, she continues her activities subtly marrying Western and Asian senses into her creations.
幼少期から日本国外の文化に触れる機会を持ち、各国の伝統工芸の色彩や美の表現に興味を持つ。
2008年NYに生活拠点を移す中、休暇で訪れたペルーの色鮮やかで美しい織物や自然の恩恵に感謝し伝統文化を受け継ぐ職人に感銘を受け、以来、時代や国境、文化を問わず人々が魅了されるデザインとは何かを常に探求するようになる。
その後、会社員を務める傍らジュエリー制作を学び、探し続けている答えを自ら体現しようと、2014年にジュエリーデザイナーとして独立起業。
2015年のKui Co. ローンチ以来、国内外で販売を行い、2016年から約２年間のパリ滞在を経て、現在米国や欧州にも顧客を持つ。2016年には米国大手ライフスタイルブランドANTHROPOLOGIEとコラボレーションモデルを作り、全米で販売する。2020年は現代アートの芸術家、Clyfford Stilの作品とコラボレーションし、米国コロラド州にある彼のミュージアムで販売している。
2016年からのパリでの生活ではファッションの伝統文化を学ぶだけでなく、年２回のファッションウィークには、ファッションアクセサリーの国際見本市で出展ブランドの通訳とセールスをする他、某日系有名ブランドのファッションショーのバックステージ業務に関わり、日本人として世界の第一線で新たな価値創造に挑戦するデザイナーの仕事を、文化と商業の視点から現場で学ぶ。