{"id":4310,"date":"2020-05-10T18:22:10","date_gmt":"2020-05-10T16:22:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/rika-labo.com\/?page_id=4310"},"modified":"2026-07-07T11:24:51","modified_gmt":"2026-07-07T09:24:51","slug":"profile","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/rika-labo.com\/index.php\/profile\/","title":{"rendered":"Profile"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rika Ohwada<\/b>
\nBorn in Tokyo, Japan
\nArtist, Designer & Craft Researcher<\/strong><\/p>\n

Having lived in France for more than two decades of life in France, Rika\u2019s vision is deeply rooted in L\u2019Art de vivre <\/i><\/strong>\u2014 a philosophy in which aesthetics, time, and sensibility elevate the everyday into an art form.<\/p>\n

Her work explores the intimate relationship between material, gesture, and use, embodying a refined way of living in which beauty and meaning coexist with quiet clarity.\u00a0Each project reflects a subtle balance between artisanal heritage and a contemporary perspective.<\/p>\n

After studying clothing science at Bunka Gakuen University in Tokyo, she began her career as a lingerie designer before moving to France. In Lyon, the historic capital of silk, she founded her own brand, establishing a distinctive and rigorous approach to textile and design.<\/p>\n

She is currently pursuing a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Craft and Design at Kyoto University of the Arts.<\/strong> Her research examines how the knowledge and techniques of mingei and traditional crafts, transmitted across generations within local communities, can be preserved, revalued, and reinterpreted for contemporary society through participatory workshops as a form of artistic research.<\/p>\n

Today, she collaborates with ethical and sustainable brands whose vision reflects her own commitment to craftsmanship, cultural heritage, and environmental responsibility.<\/p>\n

Her practice is nourished by craftsmanship, living materials, the slow alchemy of fermentation, and the ever-changing presence of the sea.<\/p>\n

A Note to Visitors<\/b><\/b><\/p>\n

Thank you for being here.<\/p>\n

My work is guided by a commitment to material integrity and functional beauty, developed through projects that embody an ethical and sustainable vision.<\/p>\n

As part of this work, I am also involved in the development of Atelier Tuffery, France’s oldest jeans manufacturer, in the Japanese market.<\/p>\n

For over 130 years and across four generations, this family-owned brand has upheld an exceptionally consistent commitment to ethical and sustainable values. It is a great honor for me to be one of its partners in developing its presence in the Japanese market.<\/p>\n

Located in Florac Trois Rivi\u00e8res, in a preserved natural landscape near N\u00eemes\u2014the birthplace of denim\u2014the atelier sustains a way of making that is deeply respectful of people, place, and the living world.<\/p>\n

Each garment is crafted with meticulous attention, honoring time, gesture, and those who will wear it.<\/p>\n

I warmly invite you to experience this approach firsthand by visiting the atelier and boutique. It would be my pleasure to guide you in finding a piece that will accompany you over time.<\/p>\n

For inquiries:
\nrika.labo8@gmail.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Selected Exhibitions & Distinctions<\/b><\/b><\/p>\n

2026 \u2013 Present
Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Craft and Design (in progress), Kyoto University of the Arts, Japan<\/p>\n

2019 \u2014 \u201cNeo Bohem Paris\u201d, group exhibition, Paris
\n2018 \u2014 \u201cJapan Blue\u201d, group exhibition, Paris
\n2017 \u2014 Collaboration with Ryoko Nagamatsu and Chiaki Morita; Gold Prize, The One Show, New York
\n2017 \u2014 \u201cFeel Light. Feel Free.\u201d, group exhibition, Paris
\n2015 \u2014 Solo Exhibition, Gallery Art Wa2, Tokyo
\n2013 \u2014 Solo Exhibition, Gallery Art Wa2, Tokyo
\n2009 \u2014 \u201cRegards sur le Japon\u201d, Mus\u00e9e d\u2019Art et d\u2019Industrie, Saint-\u00c9tienne
\n2005 \u2014 Troph\u00e9e Evian des Cr\u00e9ateurs de Mode, nominee and runway participant, Evian
\n2000 \u2014 Bunka Gakuen University (Textile & Fashion), Tokyo<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Rika Ohwada<\/strong>
\nN\u00e9e \u00e0 Tokyo, Japon
\nArtiste, designer & chercheuse en artisanat<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ayant v\u00e9cu en France pendant plus de vingt ans, la vision de Rika est profond\u00e9ment ancr\u00e9e dans l\u2019Art de vivre<\/strong> \u2014 une philosophie o\u00f9 l\u2019esth\u00e9tique, le temps et la sensibilit\u00e9 transforment le quotidien en une forme d\u2019art.<\/p>\n

Son travail explore la relation intime entre la mati\u00e8re, le geste et l\u2019usage, donnant forme \u00e0 un art de vivre raffin\u00e9 o\u00f9 beaut\u00e9 et sens coexistent avec une subtile clart\u00e9. Chaque projet r\u00e9v\u00e8le un \u00e9quilibre d\u00e9licat entre h\u00e9ritage artisanal et regard contemporain.<\/p>\n

Apr\u00e8s des \u00e9tudes en sciences du v\u00eatement \u00e0 la Bunka Gakuen University de Tokyo, elle d\u00e9bute sa carri\u00e8re en tant que cr\u00e9atrice de lingerie avant de s\u2019installer en France. \u00c0 Lyon, capitale historique de la soie, elle fonde sa propre marque, d\u00e9veloppant une approche singuli\u00e8re et exigeante du textile et du design.<\/p>\n

Elle poursuit actuellement un Master of Fine Arts (MFA) en Craft et Design \u00e0 la Kyoto University of the Arts<\/strong>. Ses recherches portent sur la mani\u00e8re dont les savoirs et les techniques du mingei<\/em> et des m\u00e9tiers d\u2019art traditionnels, transmis de g\u00e9n\u00e9ration en g\u00e9n\u00e9ration au sein des communaut\u00e9s locales, peuvent \u00eatre pr\u00e9serv\u00e9s, revaloris\u00e9s et r\u00e9interpr\u00e9t\u00e9s pour la soci\u00e9t\u00e9 contemporaine \u00e0 travers des ateliers participatifs comme forme de recherche artistique.<\/p>\n

Aujourd\u2019hui, elle collabore avec des marques \u00e9thiques et durables dont la vision rejoint son propre engagement en faveur de l\u2019artisanat, du patrimoine culturel et de la responsabilit\u00e9 environnementale.<\/p>\n

Sa pratique se nourrit de l\u2019artisanat, des mati\u00e8res vivantes, de la lente alchimie de la fermentation et de la pr\u00e9sence changeante de la mer.<\/p>\n

Aux visiteurs<\/b><\/b><\/p>\n

Je vous remercie de votre pr\u00e9sence.<\/p>\n

Mon travail s\u2019articule autour d\u2019une recherche exigeante de la qualit\u00e9 des mati\u00e8res et d\u2019une esth\u00e9tique fonctionnelle, au service de projets engag\u00e9s dans une vision durable et responsable.<\/p>\n

Parmi ces collaborations, j\u2019accompagne le d\u00e9veloppement au Japon de la maison Atelier Tuffery, la plus ancienne manufacture de jeans de France.<\/p>\n

Depuis plus de 130 ans, et \u00e0 travers quatre g\u00e9n\u00e9rations, cette maison familiale incarne une fid\u00e9lit\u00e9 rare \u00e0 des valeurs \u00e9thiques et durables. J\u2019ai le grand honneur de compter parmi les partenaires qui accompagnent le d\u00e9veloppement de sa pr\u00e9sence sur le march\u00e9 japonais.<\/p>\n

Situ\u00e9 \u00e0 Florac Trois Rivi\u00e8res, au c\u0153ur d\u2019un paysage pr\u00e9serv\u00e9, \u00e0 proximit\u00e9 de N\u00eemes \u2014 berceau du denim \u2014 l\u2019atelier perp\u00e9tue une fabrication attentive, respectueuse des hommes, des territoires et du vivant.<\/p>\n

Chaque pi\u00e8ce y est fa\u00e7onn\u00e9e avec une attention minutieuse, dans un profond respect du temps, du geste et de celles et ceux qui la portent.<\/p>\n

Je vous invite \u00e0 d\u00e9couvrir ce lieu et cette approche. Vous y trouverez peut-\u00eatre une pi\u00e8ce qui vous accompagnera durablement.<\/p>\n

Pour toute demande :
\nrika.labo8@gmail.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Expositions & distinctions (s\u00e9lection)<\/b><\/b><\/p>\n

2026 \u2013 Pr\u00e9sent
Master of Fine Arts (MFA) en M\u00e9tiers d’art et Design (en cours)
Kyoto University of the Arts, Japon<\/p>\n

2019 \u2014 \u00ab Neo Bohem Paris \u00bb, exposition collective, Paris
\n2018 \u2014 \u00ab Japan Blue \u00bb, exposition collective, Paris
\n2017 \u2014 Collaboration avec Ryoko Nagamatsu et Chiaki Morita, Gold Prize, The One Show, New York
\n2017 \u2014 \u00ab Feel Light. Feel Free. \u00bb, exposition collective, Paris
\n2015 \u2014 Exposition personnelle, Gallery Art Wa2, Tokyo
\n2013 \u2014 Exposition personnelle, Gallery Art Wa2, Tokyo
\n2009 \u2014 \u00ab Regards sur le Japon \u00bb, Mus\u00e9e d\u2019Art et d\u2019Industrie, Saint-\u00c9tienne
\n2005 \u2014 Troph\u00e9e Evian des Cr\u00e9ateurs de Mode, nomination et d\u00e9fil\u00e9, Evian
\n2000 \u2014 Bunka Gakuen University, Tokyo<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Rika Ohwada Born in Tokyo, Japan Artist, Designer & Craft Researcher Having lived in France for more than two decades of life in France, Rika\u2019s vision is deeply rooted in L\u2019Art de vivre \u2014 a philosophy in which aesthetics, time, and sensibility elevate the everyday into an art form. Her work explores the intimate relationship between material, gesture, and use, embodying a refined way of living in which beauty and meaning coexist with quiet clarity.\u00a0Each project reflects a subtle balance between artisanal heritage and a contemporary perspective. After studying clothing science at Bunka Gakuen University in Tokyo, she began her career as a lingerie designer before moving to France. In Lyon, the historic capital of silk, she founded her own brand, establishing a distinctive and rigorous approach to textile and design. She is currently pursuing a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Craft and Design at Kyoto University of the…<\/p>\n

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