The KURA gallery of ISSEY MIYAKE KYOTO presents KURA Exhibition “EYES.”

Sabae City, located in the Fukui Prefecture is a world-renowned producer of eyewear. MDS (MIYAKE DESIGN STUDIO) has been developing eyewear since 2015, in collaboration with Kaneko Optical, which is an eyewear manufacturer based in Sabae. ISSEY MIYAKE EYES aims to continue designing never-before-seen eyewear, equipped with high functionality, finely-honed beauty, and the essence of a practical product.

This exhibit showcases the spirit of eyewear born from the multifaceted perspectives of the two companies, acquired through constant improvement, by introducing a new style of sunglasses called MARROW. The exhibit will also show the elements of design work and diligent handwork of the experienced craftsmen that back the spirit of eyewear, by exhibiting the actual prototypes and parts of the production process. A dedicated film will look at the trajectory that led to the synthesis of the manufacturing and the collaboration between both companies.

MARROW is a style of sunglasses that integrates two different materials, acetate and metal. The design was born by fusing together Kaneko Optical’s craftsmanship and the consistent design work of MDS to represent the dynamism of a collaboration, which couldn’t exist without the perspectives of both sides.