Product Review

On the northernmost tip of the main island of Japan an astonishing textile aesthetic has been operating for many years, called 'boro (rags) stichery.' Born out of desperate necessity, this intricate needlework has remained largely unknown because of its embarrassing associations with poverty, but can now also be explained as a loving frugality towards cloth and sewing techniques. In fact, if exactingly reproduced and labelled with designer tags, these rags could deliver haute couture prices. This fascinating publication presents a unique survey of these clothing and furnishing pieces that have been collected over many years and will in turn raise fundamental questions in fashion and design circles everywhere. Blankets, bags, diapers, trousers, futon covers, uniforms and traditional Japanese clothing are some of the items presented here, many in fine detail, accompanied by full colour photographs and historical and explanatory notes.