Combining what she describes as 'the culture of warm-hearted money presents' with the use of traditional materials and the French spirit of her Parisian roots, Maïa Maniglier came up with her latest design line Maia Gonomi (pictured below).
Maybe being an expat makes you want to keep some local traditions alive.
Her line Maia-Gonomi (which translates as Maïa’s choice) aims to do that.
Here's what brought her to design it as she explains in About Maia-Gonomi (May 09):
People might not be aware of this “warm-hearted money present culture” in Japan.
The way to give money in Japan is much different from Western culture.
In Japan, people offer money or gratuities in Kokoroduke envelopes.
However, people are gradually forgetting to convey the custom in this traditional and smart way.
Maia Maniglier wondered : if there were modern and designed envelopes, people might bring their own warm-hearted culture back."
It would have made my day very special if someone in my restaurant days had tipped me that way.
You can find out more about her projects via Exprime, her business site.
Traditions in transition for Tokyo Thursdays # 105
Previously on Tokyo Thursdays:
Harumi Kurihara on How to Make Everyday Exceptional at Japan Society, NY, Sept 24