Minty fresh designs

Do you think that fashion is art, or that it's simply a product? Why not both? Tokyo brand Mintdesigns' new exhibition "Graphic and Textile Works" blurs the line between the two with its presentation of inspirational but practical designs that draw from 16 years of its archives.

From the get-go, designers Nao Yagi and Hokuto Katsui have made their brand's concept clear: "We want our fashion to be considered product design." As a result, it has become known for a range of unique graphics and patterns on wearable silhouettes. After dominating that market with its decidedly "quirky Tokyo" spin, the brand has now expanded into other realms of design, including Japanese food and art installations. "Mintdesigns: Graphic and Textile Works," which follows last year's wildly successful "Material Dictionary" exhibition in Fukuoka and Nagoya, is a minty treat for fans and the curious alike.