During Paris Fashion Week, the Tranoï show once again became a meeting ground for creativity and cultural exchange. Among its many discoveries, one encounter stood out — Mami Nakatani, the designer behind the Japanese brand emamima, founded in 2003.
Representing Fab UK Magazine, I was immediately captivated by her poetic presentation: jewelry hidden inside layers of washi, the traditional Japanese paper. The soft interplay of light and material revealed a unique fusion of craftsmanship and emotion, a dialogue between tradition and imagination.
Since 2015, emamima has expanded beyond jewelry into objects that shape personal spaces — from bags that transform into portable desks or sake-drinking kits to packaging that becomes part of the story. Each creation reflects Mami’s sensitivity to materials, all carefully crafted in Japan.
Among her most innovative works is the “Kehai” collection, a line of fragrant jewelry designed to hold and release scent as it’s worn. Subtle and sensory, it transforms adornment into a living experience — a gentle connection between memory, presence, and the senses.
“I want my creations to connect people through poetic expression,” shared Mami Nakatani, her calm demeanor reflecting the purity of her art.
Working closely with metal, leather, wood, and paper, she turns materials into conversations — transforming simplicity into soul. Each emamima piece embodies the Japanese sense of harmony between nature, form, and imagination.
My gratitude goes to Najoua Achafar, who translated Mami’s thoughts with warmth, helping build bridges between cultures and hearts.
At Tranoï, emamima stood out as more than jewelry. It was a reminder that design can whisper rather than shout — inviting us to slow down, to feel, and to find beauty in the spaces between.
Article and photography by Olga Gasnier