A few weeks ago, I had the incredible honor of speaking at the Osaka World Expo as part of their Theme Week Sessions. The theme of the discussion, “The Power of Design to Create New Traditions: Shaping the Future of Lifestyles” brought together four designers from around the world, a Google Arts & Culture creative producer from London, a Tiktok human interface designer from Singapore, a fashion entrepeneur from Japan, and myself. Each of us had the chance to introduce our own work before diving into a lively discussion about how tradition and innovation can coexist. We explored the possibilities of combining the latest technologies with tradition in our fields, shared our approaches to preserving traditional elements, and reflected on how cultural heritage can be passed on to younger generations. The conversation sparked so many more questions and ideas for me - ones that lingered in my mind and led to more thoughtful conversations with friends and family in the days that followed.
Before and after the event, I loved wandering through the Expo, admiring the unique ways each country showcased its culture through architecture, technology, cuisine, and the arts. One of my favorite experiences was walking along Sou Fujimoto’s Grand Ring, the Expo’s stunning architectural icon. This circular wooden walkway, with its massive 675-meter diameter, offered a peaceful, even meditative stroll high above the pavilions. Landscaped with softly swaying wildflowers, it felt like a quiet escape from the buzz of the crowds. From here, I could glimpse the flamenco dancer on a stage tucked into the dramatic aqua-colored staircase of the Spain Pavilion, the cleverly designed, high-slope Chom Hae Roof of the Thailand Pavilion, and the dynamic geometry of the Saudi Arabia Pavilion designed by Foster + Partners. Back on the ground, I sat enchanted underneath a chandelier made of 28,000 eggs, watched a traditional Hungarian folk dance, played hide-and-seek in a mist fountain, and smelled the sweet aroma of date palm trees from the United Arab Emirates. It was a feast for the senses.
While in the Kansai region, I also had the chance to reconnect with friends in Kyoto, including dye artisan Takeshi Nakajima. Takeshi welcomed us to his new studio in Shiga prefecture, just one hour from Kyoto, surrounded by tree covered mountains and lush rice paddies. His newly expanded workspace allows him to dye up to 16 panels of cloth at a time. I spent time trying out the bokashi technique (which you can see expertly applied by Takeshi in our Horizontal Top and Frame Shirt), learning about the subtle differences in brush hair quality based on the season the deer hair was harvested, and patiently using a tweezer to pick up fallen hair strands - an exercise in patience and precision.
Below, you’ll find a selection of photos that capture some of the most inspiring moments from this journey. I hope they bring a bit of magic to you as well.
With fellow speakers after our panel discussion.
Myaku-Myaku, the googly-eyed Expo mascot, a mysterious creature born from the fusion of water and cells.
View from atop the Grand Ring, landscaped with native flora.
View from within the Grand Ring, the construction blending traditional wooden joinery and modern engineering.
The null Signature Pavilion by artist Yoichi Ochiai, exploring the intersection of digital and physical realities.
Looking up into the Saudi Arabia Pavilion designed by Foster + Partners. I particularly loved the lemon trees planted on the rooftops.
Vibrant Aomori-style paper lanterns greet you in one of the food courts.
Uzbekistan Pavilion
Overlooking mountains and water
The Grand Ring as it extends over Osaka Bay.
Preparing a fabric panel with Takeshi Nakajima in his studio.
Laying out the design and discussing brush technique.
Photos by Burgess Voshell, thank you for the beautiful documentation!