"When I was little, there was a room with a big lock on the door in my house — my mother's studio. The lock came off when I finished elementary school," says embroiderer Satoshi Sekimoto over coffee at a Parisian cafe in the 13th arrondissement. "I understand why she kept the room locked," he adds, "not only were there needles everywhere but some of the garments she worked on were very precious, including obi belts entirely weaved in gold threads."