The Inoue Brothers
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Satoru Inoue and Kiyoshi Inoue are the driving force behind The Inoue Brothers, a design studio with a sustainable focus that operates out of Copenhagen, London and Tokyo. Founded in 2004, over the years the duo has collaborated with numerous brands and artists, including Comme des Garçons, Akira Minagawa and Monocle magazine. Their approach emphasizes sustainability together with a profound dignity in order to utilize design as an instrument to create precious objects and constructive relationships throughout the process.
"Since first establishing our design studio, we have had a strong desire to join the social design movement. It’s a design philosophy aimed at creating positive impact and value in local communities that struggle because of the inequality of wealth distribution in the world.
Using social design, we bridge the ever-changing modern world with unappreciated ancient traditions. For us, ancient and indigenous craftsmanship remind us of where we came from; it reminds us of values and memories of a time when we were living in harmony with our environment. It’s like remembering our grandmother’s cooking. Simple craftsmanship that’s full of wisdom, beauty and depth.”
The Inoue Brothers | Lakiya Rugs
The linear, geometrically organized structure concentrates the focus in the direction of totemic and tribal themes rather than in a display of ethnicity. The designs are made from hand spun, hand dyed yarn from pure Awassi sheep wool from the Lakiya Bedouin Township in the Negev Desert and produced in collaboration with the Lakiya Weaving Project. The tight warp faced weaving creates an elegant and durable composition. As often in The Inoue Brothers’ approach to design and collaborations with indigenous cultures and crafts, traces of belonging and tribal themes are explicitly the common underlying denominators.