From 1 May, Nobu Hotel London Portman Square will host Japanese artist Asako Iwamizu for a month-long solo exhibition in the hotel’s coveted White Box gallery.
As a Fabric Jockey, Asako Iwamizu is known for her “Kimekomi Art,” which combines traditional kimekomi techniques with fabric scraps and remnants to create compelling artwork that connects fabrics and their cultures worldwide.
This solo exhibition will showcase new Kimekomi works using Japanese and British fabrics, allowing visitors to learn about the history and context of these materials and experience cross-cultural exchange through interactive workshops.
Kimekomi Art has previously collaborated with fabric manufacturers in Japan and abroad to promote the fabric’s charm. Now, the goal is to foster cross-cultural exchanges by uniting people with diverse cultural backgrounds through fabrics. Hosting the exhibition in the UK, a global fashion capital that balances tradition and innovation, will provide an international dialogue centred around the fabric.
The exhibition will also be celebrated during London Craft Week (12–18 May 2025), a popular annual festival celebrating exceptional craftsmanship and creativity worldwide.
Held each May across London, the event brings together over 1,000 established and emerging makers, designers, brands, and galleries, offering a curated selection based on substance and inspiration rather than price or fame.
The festival features a diverse programme of exhibitions, workshops, and events that span making, design, fashion, art, luxury, food, culture, and shopping.
Asako’s exhibition aims to create new connections among Japanese and British fabric manufacturers, designers, and industry professionals.
With its rich textile heritage and role as a global fashion hub, London is an inspiring location for Kimekomi Art. The exhibition will incorporate unique local fabrics to offer fresh inspiration and expand the potential for innovative expressions.
Additionally, showcasing in the UK, the third-largest art market globally (17% market share in 2023), will increase the project’s visibility among a broader audience of art collectors.
Prior to the exhibition, Asako will engage with local fabric producers and designers, gathering scraps and remnants to create new works.
For example, Asako plans to collaborate with tailors from London’s famous Savile Row, integrating regional elements into the creative process. This project will bridge the international art and fabric industries by connecting Japanese and British fabric traditions.
It presents a unique opportunity for London audiences to experience Japanese fabrics and promotes environmental awareness through workshops on May 17th and 18th.
The exhibition is open to the public from 1 May until 25 May 2025. Learn more at www.nobuhotels.com/london-portman.
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