A day in the life of Hélène

With PLEATS PLEASE

Part 2: Time at home

Her name is Hélène Kelmachter. She’s at home this spring weekend.

​ “I usually spend my weekends visiting exhibitions in museums or galleries —contemporary art, but not only I enjoy discovering many different things too. I try to cover as much of Tokyo and Japan as I can. Last week I went to Kyoto for an opening. I also enjoy meeting friends, and as often as possible attend a performance or a concert. And I have to devote some time, every weekend to my Japanese lessons.”

​ Once preparations are underway for an exhibition she is overseeing, Hélène usually spends her time at home writing and editing catalogs. On that day, she enjoys her time alone until she goes out in the evening. ​

Hélène lives in a two-story wooden house in a quiet residential neighborhood. The house was built in the 1970s. On the ground floor are the living room, kitchen and a tatami room. Stairs from the high-ceilinged entrance hall lead up to the second floor, where there are four more rooms. The garden is shared with the house next door, which was built according to the same plan. A gentle breeze wafts through when the window is open.

​ “The garden is covered with flowers in spring. I found the house in a small real estate agency: I saw an ad in the window, with a tiny photo of the garden and I was attracted! Actually, I was looking for a design apartment in Daikanyama… And I finally chose this traditional Japanese wooden house with shoji and tatami. Of course it is very cold during the winter, but I love that house! I am even sleeping on a futon!” Apparently, there are plans to tear down the house in the near future and put up condominiums in its place. ​

There is a bustling street about 10 minutes walk away. Hélène goes there for tea at a cafe attached to a small bookstore or maybe a light meal at a restaurant. Sometimes she ventures a bit farther to buy some flowers or fruit on an old, traditional shopping street. This is an area she loves. The Yayoi Kusama Museum is close by, and small galleries featuring young artists are within walking distance.

As she does every day, Hélène wakes up precisely at 7:07 and goes downstairs to prepare a large full teapot of English tea in the kitchen.

​ She wears PLEATS PLEASE even at home, older items as well as those more recently acquired. Her choice today was a tunic and long cardigan from PLEATS PLEASE ISSEY MIYAKE BASICS. The different shades of gray combine with bright beige slacks from NEW COLORFUL BASICS. On top is a cotton stole with a Tadanori Yokoo print, one of her favorite items.

​ “Right now, I’m reading a collection of essays by Mathilde Laurent, about perfume and olfactive sense. A Japanese edition just came out too. I always read a book before I go to sleep. I spend my days working mostly in English, but I can enjoy some time in my mother tongue when I’m reading, which I find very relaxing.”

Hélène is wearing PLEATS PLEASE. She is sitting on a gray-beige sofa. The cushions have pop prints. On the wall is a series of snapshots by Nobuyoshi Araki in a colorful frame. It creates a lively, energetic, well-harmonized space.

Hélène wears accessories even at home and enjoys dressing up. “Clothes are like a mirror of the person, even of a mood. That’s why I think they need to be not just physically comfortable, but comfortable for the personality of the wearer,” she says.

In the Tokonoma alcove is a work by Sabine Pigalle, featuring Helene’s daughter (when she was 12 years old) combined by computer with a classic court portrait of Marguerite de France by Jean Clouet. This photograph belongs to Pigalle’s series entitled Timequake, that was exhibited in Tokyo 10 years ago in a show curated by Hélène.

She changes into a long red dress from NEW COLORFUL BASICS, layering a gray BASICS piece with a red cardigan from NEW COLORFUL BASICS, both with the same design. The bag and flats are chosen to match the gray. She tops it off with a brightly colored bead necklace as she heads out for a concert.

Worn by: Hélène Kelmachter—styling by Hélène, and printed garments (PLEATS PLEASE), accessories, bags and other small items are from her personal wardrobe.
Photography: Kazumasa Harada
Hair and make-up: Hiroyuki Fuwa
Composition: Tamaki Harada + Mari Nakayama | Cawaii Factory
Concept and Direction: Midori Kitamura