My name is Nicole. I was born in Hiroshima Prefecture and grew up in Kyoto and Osaka. After graduating from Yasuko Ueda Fashion College, she worked in apparel. So I became in charge of knitting, and despite repeated failures, I learned the fun of being able to design freely from fabrics, and I fell in love with the depth of knitting.
Activities will begin in 2024, and we will digitally create colorful art using knitted fabrics and yarns. I think that my love for art and making things is largely influenced by the fact that I attended a drawing class in my neighborhood for six years in elementary school. I remember drawing, kneading clay, crafting, everything was exciting, and I enjoyed the class I attended once a week on Saturday, and I couldn't wait for Saturday to come soon. I think this is the only practice that I was so absorbed in later and in the future.
One of the most memorable events was that it was published in "République des Arts(*)" released in February last year. I was told at a time when I had only recently started my activities and was confused about what kind of work I should make. I thought it was too early for me, but I remember well that I faced the production through trial and error. I never thought that French people would see my work, so I still can't forget the exhilaration I felt when I picked up the magazine and turned the pages.
In addition, the fact that a work in collaboration with Myaku Myaku was published on the official website as an official licensed product of the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo was a good commemoration of the unexpected event. In 2025, I had the opportunity to exhibit at an exhibition for the first time, and it was a series of events that I had never imagined.
*République des Arts|French art magazine. Each issue is also in the collection of the Bibliothèque Nationale de France.
I started my activities with the desire to convey the beauty of knitted fabrics and the fun of materials to more people. I am currently involved in knitwear in apparel, and I feel that the demand for knitwear is decreasing due to warm winters and changes in consumption. At the same time, the number of weavers is decreasing year by year due to the aging of the population, and I was impatient that this wonderful technique that Japan can be proud of will be cut off, so I searched for something other way to pass on the technology than clothes, and came to art that I had loved since I was in elementary school.
But I haven't drawn since I became a member of society, so it was very difficult for me to give shape to what I was imagining in my head at first. For example, the work "Cake" is taken from the knitted fabric of a cardigan made of scratched thread, like the one worn by my grandmother. When I saw the numbers that the number of people wearing such designs was decreasing year by year, and the demand was gone, I started making it with the thought that it would not be possible to continue like this, that the knitted fabric would be very cute just by looking at it, but that there would be no demand for it if it was made into clothes. Although I started on a whim, there was too much difference between what I imagined and what I had finished, and I gave up many times along the way and continued to search in the dark, and I didn't immediately arrive at my current expression. It's been a year and a half since I started my activities, but now I feel the difficulty of continuing to create works constantly.
"Cake"
Written by: Nicole
In the midst of a lot of dark news, I am creating it with the hope that at least in my work alone it will make you laugh and feel a little happier. I think everyone gets tired and depressed in their daily lives. I would be happy if the work I suddenly saw at such a time would be an opportunity to lighten my heart even a little. I tried to put the fun that I value in my work into the eye catch. The stars overflowing from my head are the images in my head that I am always excited to think about how to convey the possibilities of knitting in a different way. I can't see it, but I tried to visualize it to see if it was like this.
It is "Alpaca". This work was inspired by the news of alpaca shearing. I created it with the setting of an alpaca of a fashionista who loves fashion, but as I progressed with the production, it became more and more powerful. There is an episode where I had so much fun making it that I didn't want to complete it yet even though I had to complete it, such as adding stars and devising colors. I feel that this work is filled with all my love for knitting materials, my playfulness, and my own attitude of creating while having fun. A work that brings out the charm of the material with free ideas and makes the viewer smile. I think that's who I am, and it's something I want to continue to cherish.
"Alpaca"
Written by: Nicole
I would like to weave the surprise and discovery of how knitted fabric can be expressed in this way into my work, and convey the joy of knitting to people around the world through my work. Knitting is a technology that Japan can be proud of in the world, and I believe that its possibilities will continue to expand. I would be happy if you could rediscover the charm of knitwear not only through the traditional form of clothing, but also through a new way of expression called art.
This year, we plan to challenge overseas exhibitions. We hope that this will be an opportunity for people not only in Japan but also overseas to learn about the wonders of knitwear. As an adult, I'm sure you'll be worried about whether it's like this or not, but I hope to enjoy creating it so that I don't forget the fun and unavoidable feelings I felt when I was in elementary school.
「Happy Holidays!」
Written by: Nicole
Nicole continues to express the beauty of knitted fabric in new forms. He continues to take on challenges with a strong desire to pass on Japan's proud knitting technology to the next generation, and the pure joy of creation that he felt when he was in elementary school. This year, we plan to challenge overseas exhibitions, and the colorful and fun works will bring the new charm of knitwear to more people. High expectations are high for his future success.
