Introducing Brigitte Tanaka, the French-Japanese design duo renowned for their witty reinterpretation of everyday objects into fashion accessories. With a focus on elegance and humour, their creations bring a new light to decor. Meet Brigitte Giraudi, the creative force behind Missbibi, and Chieko Tanaka, whose Japanese-inspired elegance shapes the brand’s identity.
hube: Could you share the story of how Brigitte Tanaka came into existence and how your collaboration began?
Brigitte Giraudi and Chieko Tanaka: Brigitte had her brand called Missbibi, and Chieko joined the venture as a shop assistant and then designer. They became very close friends, and every weekend, they would go to flea markets near Paris to buy beautiful little antiques. One day, they decided to create a new brand called Brigitte Tanaka, blending their two names to illustrate the concept of French-Japanese, antic versus modern. It symbolises the fusion of two opposites working harmoniously together.
h: Brigitte, having graduated from Saint-Martins School in London, and Chieko, originally from Tokyo, how do your diverse backgrounds influence your design aesthetics and creative process?
BG & CT: Individually, we hail from diverse backgrounds, yet share common interests such as art, film, theatre, and, of course, fashion. Leveraging these shared passions, we express ourselves artistically. Additionally, Brigitte spent 3 years in Japan, enriching her understanding of Japanese culture. Together, we bridge our distinct cultural backgrounds, finding a shared path to merge them harmoniously.
h: The Brigitte Tanaka brand is known for its elegant and humorous approach to transforming everyday objects into fashion accessories. How do you find inspiration in the ordinary, and how does this play into your design philosophy?
BG & CT: Every aspect of our daily lives serves as a wellspring of inspiration, and we delight in viewing things from unconventional angles. For instance, we used a cigarette case as a wallet rather than opting for a branded one or utilised a bottle of alcohol as a water container. Our everyday existence naturally imbues objects with new purposes, infusing our lives with creativity and resourcefulness.
h: Collaborating with Sarah Andelman for ‘Mise en Page’ at Le Bon Marché must have been an exciting venture. Can you share your thoughts on how this collaboration felt for Brigitte Tanaka? What were the goals and aspirations you had in mind when embarking on this creative project?
CT: Sarah holds great significance for us. She has been closely observing our endeavours since the outset. We were particularly struck by the dinner she orchestrated and the array of creators she curated. Her profound admiration and respect for these creators are palpable and her playful demeanour coupled with her discerning eye for selection is truly remarkable.
She mentioned that the theme of the selection would revolve around books, which resonated with us deeply given our passion for book design and covers. Brigitte and I have long harboured a desire to release more collections inspired by literature, and we aspire to adopt a Brigitte Tanaka approach to explore more book and manga-related ventures in the future.