KAI Hat & Head-piece Competition 2023
With the mission of
“Delivering the best hats to everyone,”
this is a new design contest aimed at creating
a new hat culture and training hat
designers.
KAI Hat & Head-piece Competition 2023
KAI, a global cutlery manufacturer with a long history in the development and manufacture of sewing
scissors,
has invited hat and head-piece designer Nobuki Hizume, who holds the title
of Best Craftsman of France,
to judge the KAI HAT & Head-piece Competition, which was held for the first time last year.
The theme for 2023 is “COME OUT OF YOUR SHELL”.
“Kai” means “Shell”, which has been used as cutlery since ancient times and has become a source of
product creativity.
We are looking for freestyle creations that get an idea from the meaning of exposing the true self,
opening the heart, and being open.
Outstanding works will be selected from the submitted designs and announced at the “Hat Day” on August
10, 2023.
The winners of the Excellence Award will be presented with KAI’s sewing scissors and will actually make
their work.
The Grand Prize winners will be announced on November 8, 2023, aka "Good Blade Day."
One Grand Prize winner will participate in a training course to Paris,
which includes a
visit to Mr. Hizume’s atelier.
A pandemic that has affected the world for a long time, conflicts that still continue in various parts
of the world,
and natural disasters that change our daily lives: Too much change is
occurring.
It is in these times when we seek tranquility and peace that we wish for peace and hope for the future.
The entry acceptance period has now closed.
Thank you to everyone who
entered.
Yasumasa Shimoshikiryo
INFINITY
Yasumasa Shimoshikiryo
INFINITY
Based on the worldview reflected by Aphrodite, the goddess of love/beauty/sex, the design is based on the theme of "infinite possibilities & inclusiveness".
The infinity mark "∞" and beautiful pearls overflow from the body of the headpiece, which symbolizes a shell. These are seen as the bubbles that gave birth to Aphrodite, gently enveloping and melting everything in the world, creating a peaceful world... This work is based on such healthy hope.
Momoko Fujii
Burning in the hajizome color -2
Nobuki Hizume, judging panel From the moment I saw the design drawing, I was curious to see what the finished work would look like, and when I saw the actual product, I felt something shining through. It is beautifully balanced and was also chosen out of respect for traditional techniques that I would like to try one day as a Japanese creator.
Toru Kurihara, judging panel I was impressed by the wonderful design when we selected the Excellence Award, and yet the actual product exceeded the design drawing. One of the high points of the work was the passion within the human being and the creator's commitment to the environment and the skills and care for the environment typical of a Japanese person.
Yo Suzuki, judging panel This work was uniquely powerful in its material. I was impressed not only by the impact, but also by the craftsmanship everywhere in the making of the product, and I was impressed by the techniques. I appreciated the majestic atmosphere from the piece and the fact that it was reproduced using only traditional craft techniques.
Momoko Fujii
Burning in the hajizome color -2
Straw has been a familiar part of Japanese culture since ancient times and is often used in rituals and celebrations.
Using the straw rope making technique, which is also used for shimenawa (sacred straw ropes), I express my passion for evolution and improvement, valuing the basics of straw craftsmanship and the thoughts of my predecessors, with the strength and delicate curvaceous beauty of the straw rope making technique.
The very act of twisting with force while applying twists with the palms of the hands leads to a dialogue with the straw material, facing one's own body and mind, putting thoughts and hopes into it, and wishing for the happiness of everyone.
Rice straw changes color over time from a bluish color to a yellowish (hajizome) color. Hajizome color, a deep yellow with a warm reddish hue, has been a favorite color for garments of noble status since the Heian period (794-1185).
I still don't know much about the world, but I would like to expand the potential of straw, to aim high in life, just like in "Burning in the hajozome color", with dreams and hopes while gaining a variety of experiences.
Atomu Yamaguchi
OVER DRIVE
A message from special judge Hikaru Takahashi
I am very attracted to something that nurtures just your own inspiration in a cocoon and waits for it to hatch.
I also think that it is wonderful that the materials used are environmentally friendly and that the recycled paper used is full of ideas and inspiration, which fits perfectly with the design image.
I think this is a wonderful design that will help us face and unleash our hidden talents and charms through the power of this work.
Mayu Shiozaki
release
It takes more courage than others for shy people to let out their inner thoughts and feelings. That's why there is great strength in the power to go outside.
Chiume Akagi
undo
The beauty of the movement of the ribbon when the tightly tied ribbon is untied.
The beauty of the moment is superimposed on the feeling of liveliness that one feels when freed from a state of bondage.
Yukie Kobayashi
Draw a line
I designed this work based on the desire to depict the beauty of a series of lines in space, and it uses bamboo as its main material.
I sought a new direction as a headpiece taking advantage of the characteristics of bamboo and put it into a free form that looks beautiful.
It expresses my strong desire to reflect on myself, to focus on the expression I love, and to show my own interests.
Svetlana Hattori
feeling of shell
A hat that lets you enjoy the feeling of a shell
You can either completely show the inside of the shell (the inner part of the hat) or the outside of the shell (the outer part of the hat, the image of a shell), and you can also enjoy "infinite variations" between these two forms of "metamorphosis". The concept was based on the design of "my inside and outside" from the shell's point of view.
Miwako Kawauchi
matsuri
This work is inspired by the beauty and functionality of ancient Japanese culture. In the olden days, men and women, young and old, regardless of their status or position, could let loose and dance and enjoy themselves on that day only. The work also includes my desire for peace.
Jotaro Mimata / Kentaro Kobayashi
Alienation
Our work is based on the theme "come out of your shell" and expresses "self-disclosure and gaze".
The title is Alienation, from Sartre's Being and Nothingness. Alienation is translated to "疎外" in Japanese.
Everyone wants to show their true selves.
I want to show my true self to someone. I want to be recognized.
It could be at school, work, home or on a screen.
Everyone thinks so, but is unable to open up.
Because of someone's gaze.
When someone stares at me, my world becomes someone else's.
When I stare at someone, I decide who he is.
The gaze is like an arrow towards me, flying from every direction.
Likewise, my gaze is like a thorn that keeps others away.
This work expresses two things: what is coming towards me and what is going from me.
Keiya Ushigome
0 (reset)
Gunma Prefecture was once a major silk producer. I work in Kiryu in a textile industry that is now passing on its skills. Locally produced silk (cocoon balls) will be used to make these helmets. I believe that the theme "Come out of your shell" is about resetting from zero and creating new values while carrying on tradition. I have reinterpreted the helmet for modern times: lighter and gentler. We want to propose items that are not worn in battle, but color the streets and dress a person's moment in time.
Rie Matsuo
Energy
While I meet me.
Look at what the light illuminates and live.
Akari Shirayanagi
escale
Sketches of artwork with images of the human body and mind, which are transformed on a daily basis.
The motif of the scaly-foot (scientific name: Chrysomallon squamiferum), which has scales made of iron sulfide on its body surface, is a deep sea mollusk that has earned the nickname "scaly-foot" from its scales.
The heart and blood vessels of the scaly-foot are so large and developed that bacteria living symbiotically in the body convert the surrounding seawater from its blood into nutrients. The scaly-foot then inoculates itself with that nutrition to stay alive.
I want to sublimate and express in my own form the way they are covered with iron scales, yet live in symbiosis.
Atomu Yamaguchi
OVER DRIVE
Inspiration was stuck in my head, and the way it was about to overflow resembled an insect waiting to hatch in a giant cocoon. The insect in this work is an abstraction of a completed image or identity; memories and opinions that serve as image sources and map material take the form of insects. The insect is confined to its cocoon, waiting for its time to emerge into the outside world as an adult. No one knows what is inside until the moment the cocoon is split open.
Ryoma Chikami
Floating jellyfish
The use of see-through material expresses a cool summer look as a floating jellyfish.
Tatiana ASHAKOVA
Spider web
The idea of the INSECTORUM collection was born by the designer after moving from the hipster center of Berlin to a green area of the suburbs mainly because of 3 children. Tatiana unexpectedly plunged into the animal and plant world, with which, living in megacities, we practically do not come into contact. Once in the bosom of nature, she began to mentally return to her childhood spent in the Caucasus. She loves to challenge herself and this time, as an artist, she wanted to explore the world of insects in order to apply her observations to millinery creations.
Tatiana is self taught but has learned from top London milliners who have inspired her to create ambitious designs and futuristic shapes. The designer has developed 12 unusual items, embellished with handmade insects, created using Swarovski crystals and other exquisite elements. For each insect, Tatiana chose an original style, shape and material.
The Spider Web headpiece is also Tatiana‘s attempt to overcome her childhoods phobias. Now living in the nature reserve area she has to make “friends” which those, whom she was so afraid of - spiders.
Creating this collection, the designer realized that the contact with nature, which she and her children have been deprived of all these years, is very important. Tatiana wanted to draw society's attention to the life of insects in the context of an ecosystem. The balance in it can be easily disturbed by the simple use of chemicals in the garden and in fields. Having already completed work on the collection, Tatiana realized that insects were in the center of her attention also because all the streets of the area where the family moved to the house where the family settled during the pandemic are named after various buzzing and crawling ones: fireflies, beetles, wasps and ants. And Tatiana's own address is Bee Street.
“The winning works will be announced at the “Hat Day” on August 10. The winners of the
Excellence Award will be presented with KAI’s sewing scissors and will actually make a
hat.
In addition, we will bear the cost of up to 20,000 yen to produce each work.”
“The best award will be selected from the works produced.
One of the winners will participate in a training course to Paris, including a tour of Mr.
Hizume’s atelier.”
MR. HIZUME’S ATELIER
SANDRINE BOURG
ATELIER-MUSEE DU CHAPEAU
MR. HIZUME’S ATELIER
SANDRINE BOURG
ATELIER-MUSEE DU CHAPEAU
Note: The contest schedule is subject to change without prior notice.
JUDGE
After graduating from the apparel design department of Bunka Fashion College at
the top of his class in 2004, he moved to Italy. He unveiled a collection as an underwear
designer from an Italian manufacturer. After returning to Japan, he created hats and
headpieces for stage performances and musicians both in Japan and overseas, and at the same
time developed his artist activity “NOBUKI HIZUME”. In 2009, he moved to France, where he
has worked on many hats for the Grand Maison’s Paris collection. In 2019, he was certified
Best Craftsman of France. Note: The Meilleur Ouvrier de France (MOF) is a title awarded to
highly skilled craftsmen who are worthy of being heirs to French culture, and is said to be
equivalent to the Japanese system of recognizing important intangible cultural properties
(commonly known as “living national treasures”).
In the same year, he started the hat brand “HIZUME”.
In the LOEWE collections for FW22
and FW23, he is also taking up the challenge of making clothes using traditional hat-making
techniques.
https://hizume.com
JUDGE
President of Kurihara Corporation. Born in Hyogo prefecture. After graduating from Aoyama Gakuin University, he started working at World Co., Ltd., a major apparel manufacturer. Some time later, he joined the family business Kurihara, and succeeded in opening a casual hat specialty store “override” in the area called Ura-Harajuku. Since that time, he has been realizing the development of multiple stores through directly managed stores. In 2003, he was appointed to president.
JUDGE
While serving as CMO at KAI, a global cutlery manufacturer, he also serves as CCO at Great Works, a creative company in Sweden. In recent years, while producing expressions and corporate promotions in Japan and overseas, he has been involved in a wide range of activities as a creative director, such as directing the video of Mari Natsuki’s performance “PLAY x PRAY” and serving as an executive advisor for Katsuki Tanaka’s “Shibuya SAUNAS”. In 2019, he was selected as one of Forbes Japan magazine’s “39 Designers Who Will Change the World”, and in 2021, he was chosen as Nikkei’s “Marketer of the Year 2021”.
SPECIAL JUDGE
Born September 22, 2001 in Shiga prefecture. Won the Grand Prize at the 14th Japan Bishojo
Contest. Debuted as an actress in the movie Jinsei no Yakusoku in 2016. Some of the main
features Takahashi has appeared include the period drama Onna Joshu Naotora (The Lady
Warlord), Ore no Sukato Doko Itta? (Where Have My Skirts Gone?) on NTV, lead in Murai no Koi
on TBS, Aono-kun ni Sawaritai Kara Shinitai (I Want to Hold Aono-kun So Badly I could Die)
and Socho Shihatsu no Sappukei on WOWOW, the film Osomatsu-san (Mr. Osomatsu) (2022), the
musical Little Zombie Girl, etc. She also appears on variety programs, radio shows, and
models.
Her first lead role in a TV Asahi drama will be on the Saturday night drama Halation Love
starting August 5, 2023 (every Saturday at 11:30). She is also slated to appear in the live
streaming theater production event Ano Yoru de Aetara in October 2023.
What are sewing scissors?
Also known as cutting scissors, these scissors are suitable for
cutting thick fabrics and cloth. They are used not only by ordinary households,
but also by professionals who handle cloth and fabrics.
・Adopts molybdenum vanadium stainless steel that has excellent sharpness and durability.
・Delicate and smooth sharpness achieved by a proprietary blade attachment.
・Adopts a special screw that does not easily come loose.
・Adopts a handle shape that does not cause fatigue even when used for a long time.
・Adopts a soft elastomer resin that is gentle on hands and does not slip easily.
The scissors were selected for the 2005 IF Design Award/Germany for their excellent practicality
and design.
■ Theme
“COME OUT OF YOUR SHELL”
■ Entry period
11:00, Tuesday, April 17, 2023 to 23:59, Sunday, July 16, 2023
■ Work conditions
If the work is selected as an excellent work, it must be actually produced by October 20.
Note: The submitted works must be unpublished original works.
In addition, we will bear the cost of up to 20,000 yen to produce each selected work.
■ Judgment criteria
・Expressive power of theme
・Imagination and originality
・Considers the environment
Note 1: Judges may be added.
Note 2: After a rigorous screening process, only the Excellence Award winners will be notified of
their winning by email.
Note 3: We cannot respond to any inquiries regarding the screening results.
■ Eligibility
Entrants who can submit the work to be actually produced to the KAI project team in Japan in the
case that the submitted work wins the Excellence Award. There are no restrictions on nationality or
place of residence (in Japan or overseas).
Note 1: Entrants can also apply as a team. If a team of entrants is selected for an Excellence Award
and the Grand Prize, the prize will be presented to one representative.
Note 2: Minors must obtain the consent of their parent or guardian in advance. However, entrants
from the organizer, its affiliated corporations, and their respective officers, employees,
contractors, and agents are not eligible.
■ How to enter
Please apply using the entry form.
Note 1: We can only accept the specified entry form.
Note 2: Make sure the attached image is in color.
Note 3: Entrants are responsible for all internet communication charges and other expenses incurred
when entering.
The entry acceptance period has now closed.
Thank you to everyone
who
entered.
・Check the terms of application regarding the copyright of the submitted work.
・Photos and videos of submitted design proposals, production works, related events, and training in
Paris may be published in printed materials, on the internet, social media, and TV programs.
Moreover, members of the press may film and conduct interviews throughout the contest.
・Personal information will be strictly managed and will not be used for any purpose other than the
operation of this contest. Additionally, we will not provide personal information to third parties
without the customer’s consent, except when providing it to a subcontractor to the extent necessary
for outsourcing the relevant administrative work.
・Unless unavoidable, do not change the registered e-mail address until the announcement of the
winners on August 10. If you need to change the email address, contact the contest secretariat. The
award may be invalidated if the winner cannot be contacted due to the contact e-mail address being
unreachable or other such reasons, or if a reply to the email notifying the entrant about the award
is not received by the specified deadline.
・This contest may be changed or canceled without notice due to unavoidable circumstances.
・Other terms and conditions apply to this contest. Make sure to check the details of the terms of
application when entering.
When applying for the “KAI Hat & Head-piece Competition 2023” (“this contest”), it is necessary
to agree to the following application rules (“this agreement”).
1. Please be sure to read these terms and conditions before entering this contest. By entering
this contest, you are deemed to have agreed to these terms.
2. The organizer of this contest is KAI Corporation (“organizer”).
≪Application Period≫
3. Applications for this contest will start at 11:00 on Monday, April 17, 2023 and will end at
23:59 on Sunday, July 16, 2023 (“application period”). Only applications during the application
period will be valid. All display periods are Japan Standard Time (JST).
≪Eligibility≫
4. Applicants are limited to those who can submit the actual work to be produced to the KAI
project team in Japan (“eligible applicants”) in the case that the submitted work wins the
Excellence Award. There are no restrictions on nationality or place of residence (Japan or
overseas). If you are a minor, please obtain consent from your parent or guardian in advance.
Note that entries from the organizer and its affiliates, and their respective officers,
employees, contractors, and agents (“contest parties”) are not eligible.
≪How to apply≫
5. The application method for this contest is shown below.
Please apply using the application form.
*You can submit multiple works.
*Please note that we cannot accept applications that do not use the specified application
form.
*The application data should be in either JPG, PNG, or PDF format, and the file size should
be less than 100 MB.
*Please make sure the attached image is in color.
*Please fill in the necessary information in either Japanese or English.
*The contents of the application and the name on the applicant may be used in KAI’s own
media and advertising media. When KAI uses this information, the content of the application,
including text, may be processed or modified to the extent that the image is not
corrupted.
≪Permission to use application content and approval of non-claim of personal rights≫
6. If the applicant owns the copyright of the content used in this contest, the sponsor’s
website and social networking services (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, etc.) (“SNS”)
will be used to promote similar promotions and contests in the future, including but not
limited to posting of application content, promotions, advertisements, and marketing
conducted by the organizer or other affiliates bearing the KAI brand name. The applicant
grants to the organizer a relicensing right to use the contents of the application for any
purpose, in any medium, for an unlimited period of time and without royalty fees, all over
the world, regardless of whether or not it is related to the aforementioned activities.
However, the copyright of the content of the entry belongs to the author.
7. The applicant agrees that in the event that the contest organizer uses the application in
any way, the applicant will not claim any rights of identity or naming of the
author/implementer, the right to not have his/her name misrepresented, and similar rights,
including those that may arise in the future regardless of location (“personal rights”).
8. Once an application has been submitted, it cannot be withdrawn or modified.
9. Content that infringes on the rights of third parties (copyrights, portrait rights, etc.)
cannot be used. For example, if the design proposal includes a third party’s copyrighted
work (works of art, movies, photographs, etc.) or portraits, etc., it is necessary to obtain
prior approval from the third party. If any dispute occurs between the applicant, the
organizer, or a third party regarding the content of the application, the applicant shall
attempt to resolve the dispute at their own responsibility and expense. The organizer will
not get involved in any way and does not take any responsibility.
10. The organizer reserves the right to disqualify any application if it reasonably believes
that the application falls under any of the prohibited items stipulated in these terms and
conditions or related laws, or is inappropriate for any other reason. In that case, no
discussion will take place and the decision will be made at the organizer’s sole
discretion.
11. The organizer reserves the right to request identification to verify the name, age, and
address of applicants. In addition, the organizer reserves the right to confirm the
legitimacy and validity of applications, and to disqualify applicants who are determined to
have entered false information.
12. The organizer is not responsible for lost, late, or incorrect applications.
≪Determination of winners≫
13. Out of the applicants who fully meet the requirements, we will first decide the
award-winning work through document screening.
A comprehensive decision will be made by the judges and the KAI project team.
The winner of the Excellence Award will be presented with KAI's sewing scissors and will
make a hat. From among them, one work will be selected for the highest award by the judges
and the KAI project team.
Note: The actual submitted work will not be returned.
≪Prizes≫
14. The prizes are as follows.
Outstanding performance award: KAI "7280 Fabric Shears 280MM"
Grand prize: European fashion design training
Note: We will decide the destination and program contents based on the state of the COVID-19
pandemic.
Also, depending on the situation, the education may not be possible.
≪Receipt of prizes≫
15. Winners must comply with all prize terms and conditions as a condition of receiving the
prize.
16. At the time of awarding the prize, we may check that the winner who has expressed
his/her intention to accept the prize to the organizer is the applicant himself/herself.
Regardless of the reason, if the applicant cannot verify their identity, their win may be
invalidated and we may not be able to provide the prize.
17. Prizes must be used under the stated conditions and no compensation will be paid if the
winner is unable to use the prize under the stated conditions. Prizes cannot be redeemed for
cash nor exchanged for other goods or services.
≪Announcement of winners≫
18. Winners of the Excellence Award will be notified by email from the contest secretariat
by Monday, July 31, 2023. Please follow the instructions in the message to receive your
prize.
19. We cannot respond to any inquiries regarding the selection results.
≪Re-selection≫
20. The organizer reserves the right to void and re-select the winner if the winner fails to
meet the terms and conditions of this promotion, or if the winner abandons or refuses to
claim the prize.
≪Limitation of liability≫
21. In the event of any act, omission, event or circumstance beyond the organizer's
reasonable control that renders the organizer's compliance with these terms and conditions
impossible, the organizer shall be released from liability for any failure or delay in the
performance of its obligations and shall at the same time (subject to applicable law) have
the power to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the contest.
22. The contest parties shall not be held liable whatsoever for any loss, damage, expense,
fee or personal injury ("damages") arising from the promotion of this contest or the use of
prizes, unless otherwise specified by law. The above damages include, but are not limited
to, direct, indirect, and consequential damages. In addition, such damages shall include
damages that cannot reasonably be expected to occur as a matter of course due to the natural
course of events, even if the contest parties have anticipated such damages.
23. The organizer may collect the personal information of applicants for the purpose of
staging this contest. Eligible applicants consent to the organizer's use of personal
information provided in connection with this contest for the purpose of conducting this
contest and providing prizes. In addition, within the scope of achieving the purpose, the
handling of the acquired personal information may be outsourced to an external company.
Without limiting the generality of the aforementioned items, personal information of
eligible applicants provided in connection with this contest will be handled in accordance
with the organizer's privacy policy
(https://www.kai-group.com/global/en/privacypolicy/).
24. These terms and conditions and their interpretation, performance or enforceable
performance shall be governed by Japanese law.
25. The Tokyo District Court shall be the court of first instance for disputes or claims
arising out of or related to this contest.
≪Inquiries about this contest≫
"KAI Hat & Head-piece Competition" PR secretariat (within Antil Inc.)
Email: kaihat@vectorinc.co.jp
*It may take up to 3 business days for us to reply (we cannot reply on weekends and public
holidays).
*Please note that we cannot respond to inquiries not related to promotions.
Nobuki Hizume, judging panel The more I looked at the work, the more I realized that this work has depth. It was the most balanced piece overall, with a high degree of perfection, including the finish on the back. It also felt as if the flower of "INFINITY" bloomed when actually worn, which lead to a high score.
Toru Kurihara, judging panel When I saw the design drawing, I thought it would not be possible to make it as a three-dimensional piece, but the actual piece was beyond my imagination, which surprised me. It also looks great when people actually wear it, and I felt that the work was made to be worn properly. I chose it for this creativity and its perfection as a hat.
Yo Suzuki, judging panel Although I had high hopes for this piece, the finished product was beautiful beyond my imagination, and it was a wonderful piece of work, gorgeous on a person and functional as a hat. It also embodied the theme of this year's exhibition, "COME OUT OF YOUR SHELL," which shows technique and good taste throughout, and had a lovely, understated beautiful appearance.