We visit China each year to spend time on the ground with our makers, checking in on production, working through key projects, and finding ways to improve.
While we’re in constant contact online, there’s no substitute for being there in person. These trips are an opportunity to go deeper on the details.
This time, we extended the trip with a quick stop in Tokyo to take inspiration from Japan’s unique approach to fashion, hospitality and everyday design.
Here is a look behind the scenes at our four-day trip, featuring Huw and Gee who lead Worktones’ Design & Production.
DAY 1 - SHANGHAI
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We visited our garment maker to see progress on a uniform collection we’re sampling.
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Toured their new workroom, learned about new techniques they are adopting and the digital pattern process, and chatted with the mastor tailor.
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Visited the 1700-year-old Longhua Temple.
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Ate delicious crab at the Michelin-starred Lai Lai Xiao Long with soup dumplings and wonton soup.
DAY 2 - SHANGHAI/SHENZHOU
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Travelled to Shengzhou on the bullet train in the morning and met up with another one of our makers for lunch.
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Spent the afternoon in the workroom working on patterns, measurements and reviewing samples and seeing some of our client work being made.
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Back to Shanghai with dumplings served on the train for dinner.
DAY 3 - TOKYO
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Shopping day around Nakameguro, Ebisu, and Shinjuku.
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Walked up an appetite and landed at Itasoba Kaoriya for soba.
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A couple of wind-down drinks at Mikkeller bar below our hotel before dinner at Narukiyo Izakaya.
DAY 4 - TOKYO
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Had breakfast at Parklet, a client of ours who wear our aprons before more shopping around Shibuya & Harajuku.
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A very wet and cold day meant ramen for lunch at Ramen Nukaji.
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Dinner at Tonki before heading home, tired but full of ideas.
