Style & Design

Fashion has had to adapt to social media — its early exposure of new collections, its influencers starting and accelerating trends and its new forms of retailing. But it has caught up, and in exciting ways.

Among a crop of new hotels in Japan are several unique establishments aiming to support local artisans, while offering guests experiences that go way beyond a comfy bed and fine dining.

It's a cold afternoon in mid-January and, inside a factory operated by Maruyama Toys in a quiet residential area in Tokyo's Katsushika Ward, Cory Privitera is making sofubi (soft vinyl toys). In a cramped workspace surrounded by machinery and long sinks, the 33-year-old begins by ...

As the end of the financial year draws to a close, now is the season when fashion companies restructure their retail portfolios, with shop closures making way for new shoots to pop up in the following months.

Now 2019 is in full swing, On: Design takes a final look at a few of 2018's end of year noteworthy prizewinners.

Bauhaus, the design school that left its mark on everything from teapots to tower blocks and iPhones to Ikea, marks its centennial this year, touching off a politically charged debate about its lasting impact. The influence of Bauhaus, created during the turbulent period between World ...

As Bauhaus, the most influential design school of the 20th century, marks its 100th birthday, examples of its keep-it-simple elegance can still be found across the globe. The movement, based on the "form follows function" principle, revolutionized the practices of artists and artisans during 14 ...

As our lifestyles and desires change, fashion has had to adapt with the times. But now, with easier access to global influences, and changing demographics, it has become more eclectic than ever. From casual looks to match a lifestyle to fanciful contemporary art collaborations, ...

Making physical connections with people, whether via large-scale events and spaces or design concepts, and a continued celebration of traditional crafts, appeared to be a key direction for design in Japan this year. "2018 was the year Japan embraced the idea of 'shared space' — ...

Industrial designer Harri Koskinen talks about his designs for the Iittala x Issey Miyake Home Collection and the affinity between Japanese and Finnish culture.

This month's On: Design focuses on a few everyday items that offer much more than meets the naked eye.