Alice Blackwood takes a look at the successful collaboration between Fukutoshi Ueno and Akira Isogawa.

These lovely stools – called ‘CODE’ – are the handiwork of a very talented Brisbane designer, Fukutoshi Ueno (otherwise known as Toshi).

 

Toshi and Akira

But! And here’s the cool part – it’s not just the form that makes these so special…

 

The beautiful surface designs are by Sydney fashion designer, Akira Isogawa, who has applied kimono-inspired prints to the surface of each ‘CODE’… thus transforming them into ‘DRESS CODE’.

 

‘CODE’ itself has a history of beauty and intrigue – inspired by the symbols assigned to the mistresses of the 11th Century Japanese nobleman, Hikaru Genji.

As a small table, stool, or art-piece in its own right, ‘CODE’ “will forever re-invent and transform themselves,” says Fukutoshi.

 

Of the kimono prints, Akira says: “When I first came to Sydney in 1986, I remember looking at kimono fabric and I realised how different it appeared under the bright intensity of the Australian sun.

“I began to see the kimono as a modern idea, not just something buried in tradition,” he says.

 

You can see the ‘DRESS CODE’ stools at The National Gallery of Australia until late 2011.

Better still, you can buy one directly from their manufacturer and distributer, Blok Furniture.

 

Blok Furniture

blokfurniture.com.au