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.
h: Cultural differences can bring unique perspectives to creative collaborations. How do you navigate and embrace these differences in your design process?
CT: In fact, it is interesting to note that Brigitte’s personality is more Japanese-like and mine is more French-like. We have a mutual respect for each other’s culture and admiration for each other in a good way, so it is fun to mix it up.
h: Brigitte, with Missbibi, you miniaturize Victorian objects into jewellery. How does this background in miniaturisation influence or intersect with the broader design vision of Brigitte Tanaka?
BG: Yes, the process was very similar, taking something functional and turning it into something different. Then Chieko joined and with her, we added to this process the beauty of antic materials, which made things even more special and unique.
h: Chieko, your poetic universe and Japanese-style creative ideas are integral to the Brigitte Tanaka brand. Can you elaborate on how your cultural heritage shapes the identity and aesthetics of your designs?
CT: When I first came to France, I thought that design was surprisingly conservative. Japan is an island nation, so there is always a yearning for foreign countries, and we are good at digesting other cultures into our own. Ever since I was a little girl, when I travelled, I collected everything from candy packages, napkins from cafes, bags from supermarkets, etc…
And once I started designing, the key was to incorporate them into the design and how to make it interesting. And I am always thinking about how I can express a poetic feeling into something concrete.
h: The organza tote bag has become a signature product for Brigitte Tanaka. What inspired the creation of this specific item, and what significance does it hold for the brand?
BG & CT: From a commercial point of view, we thought that eco-bags were a very easy item to sell. When we thought about how we could make it look interesting, Thinking of ways to make iconic old French stores look contemporary with the idea of something that looks like an art piece but is actually usable, the organdie bag was born.
h: Collaborative projects often require effective communication. How do you maintain open and productive communication in your partnership, especially considering the cultural differences?
BG & CT: We think communication is important. Even if you argue sometimes, we can deepen our understanding by exchanging many opinions with each other.
h: How do you see the future of Brigitte Tanaka evolving, considering your unique blend of French and Japanese influences?
BG & CT: Japan and France may seem different but there are many sensory aspects that we both understand. We still have many ideas that we would like to bring to life, and we hope you will look forward to them. We would also like to collaborate more with people from different horizons because it inspires us and broadens our creativity.
h: As designers, what role do you think humour plays in the world of fashion accessories, and how do you infuse it into your creations?
BG & CT: We believe humour is important because it changes the interpretation of everything. Just as art can become fashion or fashion can become art. We hope to create products with pre-loved and used objects, for a long time. It brings a touch of humour to a consumptive society.
h: How do you balance the elegance and refinement associated with Japanese aesthetics with the bold and diverse influences of French design in your collaborative projects?
BG & CT: As we mentioned before, we love each other’s culture, so we think we naturally strike a balance without having to think about it.
Photography courtesy of BRIGITTE TANAKA