More photos to follow.
An exceptionally rare collaboration work by Lucie Rie (1902 - 1995) and Issey Miyake (1938 - 2022).
Silk wool mohair Issey Miyake jacket with self-fringed edges and handmade ceramic buttons by Lucie Rie (6).
Presented at the Issey Miyake Autumn Winter show in Tokyo, 1989.
A custom floating hanging stand is also provided.
C1989, England / Japan.
When Issey Miyake first encountered the work of Lucie Rie it was not in a grand gallery or fashionable setting, but in the quiet intimacy of a London ceramics studio. The moment was transformative. Miyake, already a celebrated designer known for pushing the boundaries of fabric, form, and movement was struck by the serenity and radiance of Rie’s pots.
Born nearly four decades apart and shaped by profoundly different worlds, Rie, a Jewish émigré who fled Nazi Vienna in 1938, and Miyake, a child survivor of Hiroshima who went on to become a global innovator in fashion, their connection transcended biography. Their friendship flourished through the 1980s and Miyake began collecting Rie’s ceramics. In 1989 he invited Rie to exhibit her works in Tokyo and Osaka, designing an installation where her ceramics floated on reflective pools, emphasizing their sculptural simplicity. Some of Rie’s ceramic buttons were also incorporated into Miyake’s Autumn Winter 1989/90 collection bridging craft and fashion in functional artistry.
Rie was deeply touched by Miyake’s appreciation. She had always worked independently, somewhat on the fringes of the British studio pottery establishment. Though admired, she was never concerned with popularity or trend. Miyake’s attention and later his efforts to support the preservation and exhibition of her work were accepted with quiet gratitude. They exchanged gifts, shared tea, and formed a deep friendship. After her passing, Miyake continued to champion her legacy, ensuring that her work was not only preserved but honoured as part of the larger history of modern art and design.
With thanks to the Issey Miyake Archive in Tokyo for their assistance in researching this piece.
London collection or worldwide shipping available on all items. Please email beforehand for a quote, or select pick up at checkout.
More photos to follow.
An exceptionally rare collaboration work by Lucie Rie (1902 - 1995) and Issey Miyake (1938 - 2022).
Silk wool mohair Issey Miyake jacket with self-fringed edges and handmade ceramic buttons by Lucie Rie (6).
Presented at the Issey Miyake Autumn Winter show in Tokyo, 1989.
A custom floating hanging stand is also provided.
C1989, England / Japan.
When Issey Miyake first encountered the work of Lucie Rie it was not in a grand gallery or fashionable setting, but in the quiet intimacy of a London ceramics studio. The moment was transformative. Miyake, already a celebrated designer known for pushing the boundaries of fabric, form, and movement was struck by the serenity and radiance of Rie’s pots.
Born nearly four decades apart and shaped by profoundly different worlds, Rie, a Jewish émigré who fled Nazi Vienna in 1938, and Miyake, a child survivor of Hiroshima who went on to become a global innovator in fashion, their connection transcended biography. Their friendship flourished through the 1980s and Miyake began collecting Rie’s ceramics. In 1989 he invited Rie to exhibit her works in Tokyo and Osaka, designing an installation where her ceramics floated on reflective pools, emphasizing their sculptural simplicity. Some of Rie’s ceramic buttons were also incorporated into Miyake’s Autumn Winter 1989/90 collection bridging craft and fashion in functional artistry.
Rie was deeply touched by Miyake’s appreciation. She had always worked independently, somewhat on the fringes of the British studio pottery establishment. Though admired, she was never concerned with popularity or trend. Miyake’s attention and later his efforts to support the preservation and exhibition of her work were accepted with quiet gratitude. They exchanged gifts, shared tea, and formed a deep friendship. After her passing, Miyake continued to champion her legacy, ensuring that her work was not only preserved but honoured as part of the larger history of modern art and design.
With thanks to the Issey Miyake Archive in Tokyo for their assistance in researching this piece.
London collection or worldwide shipping available on all items. Please email beforehand for a quote, or select pick up at checkout.
