My traditional Japanese house atelier is surrounded by the mountains of Shinshu.
Since starting my life here, a special collection has been born that symbolizes my journey as a designer.
Its name is "FUSION".
This line, which embodies the meaning of the fusion of city and nature, is filled with the great struggles I faced when I started living in two locations, and the light I found after overcoming them.
A "Fatal" Dilemma as a Designer
Born and raised in the city, living what you might call an "urban" life, my days in Shinshu were filled with fresh surprises.
However, because my brand style until then had been strongly focused on fashion for "urban women," the change in environment became an unexpected barrier.
With few people walking the streets, the lifestyle was a bit distant from fashion and adornment.
Having moved away from the urban stimulation that was once my source of inspiration, it became fatally difficult to come up with new ideas.
At first, I was desperate to get used to country life and thoroughly enjoyed being a completely different person from my former self. But then I suddenly realized that it was no longer as easy as it used to be to imagine glamorous scenes where I would go out adorned with jewelry.
Between the Beauty of Nature and Style
It was the nature of this place that saved me once again.
The magnificent mountains and wildflowers that I saw as a matter of course, the seasonal winds that caressed my skin, the clear water, and the stars and moon that shone so close they seemed within reach.
All of it was moving, and the theme of "I want to create something that only I, who am here now, can create" naturally emerged.
However, simply shaping plant motifs as they are would make them somewhat too rustic and not align with the image of stylish women I want to reach.
How could I incorporate the powerful winds and clear air of Nagano into an urban essence?
After much trial and error, I arrived at a new method: processing brass by hand.
A Unique Nuance Imprinted on a Garden Rock
I cut shapes from brass sheets and directly hammered them onto a large rock in the garden to create texture.
The natural irregularities gave the metal an unprecedented, complex expression.
This is how the "FUSION" collection came into being, featuring motifs of Houttuynia cordata leaves and new peach blossoms.
The powerful sculptural beauty of nature, combined with RYONA SONG's unique urban perspective.
When these merged, I was convinced that "women striving in the city can also wear this coolly and stylishly."
Masterpieces That Could Only Have Been Born Here
Currently, the Fusion collection is available at bridal salons and adorns many brides on their special day.
It has also been registered as a "furusato nozei (hometown tax donation) return gift" in Nagawa Town, where my atelier is located.
The scenery I saw in that moment of struggle.
And the forms that were born precisely because I, who came from the city, truly faced the nature of this land.
FUSION is now loved by everyone as a precious collection representing the brand.
I would be delighted if you could experience the story that could only have been born in this place, by holding it in your hands.
【See "Fusion" at the February Open Atelier】
The "Fusion" collection pieces introduced here will be available in their full lineup at the Tokyo Open Atelier in February.
Please come and experience firsthand the complex expressions created by the actual rock surface and the stylish feel when placed on your skin.
For details and reservations for the Tokyo Open Atelier, click here
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FUSION COLLECTION Bridal Salon: "nae. ATELIER" Tokyo Ebisu
Nagawa Town Furusato Nozei: Search for "RYONA SONG Furusato Nozei" to see a list of many furusato nozei websites.
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Designer Profile｜Ryona Song
Active as a jewelry and accessory designer since 2006. Currently, she lives a dual-base lifestyle, commuting between her traditional Japanese house atelier surrounded by the rich nature of Shinshu and Tokyo, creating each person's story based on her belief that "if women are happy, the world is peaceful." Beyond simply creating beautiful objects, she proposes custom-made pieces with an eye to remaking them, ensuring a "cycle of happiness" continues for years and decades to come.
In addition, she shares her daily creative process and life in Shinshu on Instagram.
Instagram: [@RYONASONG_JEWEL] (Behind the scenes of creation and latest works)
[@RYONASONG_Bridal] (Custom-made and bridal)
[@ryona] (Life in Shinshu and the designer's daily life)
