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JUN TAKAHASHI’S GRACES

Fashion
Jun 24, 200954 Comments

Show Window Shinjuku Isetan
I've been looking forward to visiting the Undercover store here in Tokyo for a long time and checking out the Graces exhibition…I got to go a few days ago and I'm so glad I did. I wish I had been able to take pictures in the store.
Anyone who follows Undercover or Jun Takahashi is familiar with the Graces by now. Doll-making is an avid hobby of Takahashi's now  for many years. They appeared prominently in the Spring 09 collection…
"This season Takahashi notes that he was inspired by white, fluffy creatures with luminous eyes called "Graces." These creatures, invented by Takahashi, keep their distance from humans. A secret organization called Gila, he says, has succeeded in breeding and protecting the Graces. Gila also has played a crucial role in fostering a relationship between both the Graces and the human species.  To illustrate this notion, Takahashi made dolls (which looked somewhat like a cross between an alien and a monkey with luminous eyes and a light on the tip of their tails), which rested on the shoulders of a few of the mannequins that were set-up in the center of the gallery space."
I have been entranced by these creatures ever since I first saw them…you can't exactly tell if the Graces are peaceful or hostile beings. In some of the photos taken by Katsuhide Morimoto for the Spring 09 collection, humans and Graces exist in peace (a picture of a young girl gazing peacefully at a miniature Grace in what looks like an open-air terrarium) and in some contexts the Graces are monstrous (an image of creatures atop a building shooting beams of light from their lamp-heads at a crowd of terrorized humans below)
These are not my own pictures, so thank you to a few kind people from Flickr who have shared images of the Graces in the various exhibits and windows they have appeared in.
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Unfortunately I couldn't show all of the photos that I saw in the Undercover store, but if you're in town soon it is definitely worth a look.
Here are some pictures of the Graces in some other exhibitions.
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Sometimes Jun Takahashi does live presentations of the doll-making.
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Here are some of the beautiful images of the Graces from the issue of A Magazine that Jun Takahashi curated.

JUN TAKAHASHI GRACES

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I've heard there was an animated film made with the Graces. I'd love to see it some day!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. tracey ellle says

    June 24, 2009 at 7:12 pm

    gorgeous.. absolutely gorgeous

    Reply
  2. Jane says

    June 24, 2009 at 7:18 pm

    whoa! they’re half creepy, half cool. i love the gigantic Grace(?) looking down on the girl. soooooo cool.
    also, congrats on your new shoe line!!! as soon as it comes out i’m going to make a beeline to UO and buy at least half your shoes. they are so amazing.

    Reply
  3. maria says

    June 24, 2009 at 7:19 pm

    So imaginative and beautiful.

    Reply
  4. Brigadeiro says

    June 24, 2009 at 7:27 pm

    Absolutely A M A Z I N G ! ! !
    xx

    Reply
  5. alyse says

    June 24, 2009 at 7:34 pm

    i love all the photo’s, that would have been amazing to go to :)
    xx. A

    Reply
  6. yilin says

    June 24, 2009 at 7:48 pm

    you’re right, those creatures are absolutely fascinating.

    Reply
  7. Lily says

    June 24, 2009 at 7:52 pm

    Amazing…but creeepy! I can’t really decide if I like them or not!
    Lily xxxx
    http://throughthelookingglass44.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  8. Noelle says

    June 24, 2009 at 7:52 pm

    Wow, purely awesome
    http://www.fanseapants.blogspot.com

    Reply
  9. Belle says

    June 24, 2009 at 8:02 pm

    aren’t they just adorable? i love their names…like some alien, benevolent force. i like the little ones in trees. i wish someone would fill trees near me with them…they could shine little lights on people walking home in the dark.
    i think they’d be quite at home in the labyrinth too…

    Reply
  10. Fr.Holle says

    June 24, 2009 at 8:03 pm

    I’d like to have them in my garden

    Reply
  11. Gabriel says

    June 24, 2009 at 8:09 pm

    I love the mixed emotions they give off. They make you feel slightly melancholy yet they’re still cheerful and slightly funny with an undertone of creepyness, much like Jun Takashi’s collections.

    Reply
  12. Sarah A. says

    June 24, 2009 at 8:09 pm

    Wow!

    Reply
  13. Patricia Ann says

    June 24, 2009 at 8:12 pm

    These are fabulous. Although they look strange, they aren’t creepy at all. They’re kind of cute now that I think about it.

    Reply
  14. James V. says

    June 24, 2009 at 8:21 pm

    hey, this is really cool!

    Reply
  15. Zarna says

    June 24, 2009 at 8:21 pm

    wow this is really amazing!!
    -zarna
    http://zarnasrunway.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  16. fashion roadkill says

    June 24, 2009 at 8:34 pm

    These are eerily beautiful..the photos are incredible.
    http://fashionroadkill-halifax.blogspot.com

    Reply
  17. Christine says

    June 24, 2009 at 9:36 pm

    Thanks for sharing these, the Graces are truly an entrancing creature…

    Reply
  18. Mona says

    June 24, 2009 at 9:52 pm

    Too cool

    Reply
  19. KD says

    June 24, 2009 at 9:55 pm

    Absolutely stunning artwork.

    Reply
  20. Imela Kei says

    June 24, 2009 at 10:09 pm

    tottemo sugoi desu nee….Takahashi-san wa honto ni jouzu na hito desu!!
    Thank u for this post, Ive been wondering about his work since weeks ago, cuz I just met sum Japanese asking whether Takahashi-san is famous here (in indonesia) or not…hehe and I couldnt seem to find nice pics like urs also….
    keep it up Jane, ur blog is very inspiring :)
    ganbatte ne!
    see ya!

    Reply
  21. Moa says

    June 24, 2009 at 10:30 pm

    hey, what happened with your hair? I’m really curious!

    Reply
  22. Caitlin says

    June 24, 2009 at 11:31 pm

    Wow I love it. I love how some adults can grow up in the same world as others but keep the imagination of their childhood intact. xx

    Reply
  23. xAZD says

    June 24, 2009 at 11:31 pm

    wow! that’s very interesting.

    Reply
  24. Francesca says

    June 25, 2009 at 12:11 am

    I wish I knew bout this when I was there -__-
    I am sure you will visit more interesting places than me ^^ can’t wait – thanks for sharing

    Reply
  25. the truth says

    June 25, 2009 at 12:28 am

    Jane is adorable, but please the girl is 17 and owns every new iconic shoe each season? She has a way with clothes, but is obviously a very privileged young lady. What I find more inspiring are the girls and women who use their creativity to make themselves stand out without spending a grand on a pair of shoes! To me, those are the real muses. – taken from nymag.com

    Reply
  26. Sunset says

    June 25, 2009 at 12:31 am

    God… absolutely haunting and gorgeous.

    Reply
  27. Rienn says

    June 25, 2009 at 1:17 am

    This reminds me of Doctor Who something..

    Reply
  28. ...love Maegan says

    June 25, 2009 at 1:35 am

    INSANELY FABULOUS

    Reply
  29. jC says

    June 25, 2009 at 2:44 am

    Wow, what a fascinating story. I had to spend a few minutes ‘visiting’ this place, and the Graces (who I can’t tell are good or evil, either), as a way of resting my head from all the noise after reading thru the over 200 comments yesterday (including two of my own: I hadn’t realised the first went thru – I lost it in the shuffle, sorry).
    To think that while all these bad (& very genuinely good) vibes were being bandied about your blog yesterday, you and your mom were out having this magic experience. You’ve clearly been well brought up, to have the Grace to rise above all that nonsense yesterday. I felt dirty, just reading it, and looking at these photos feels like diving into a fascinating pool in a cave in the Virgin Islands, filled with mysterious creatures. As Sunset put it so well (and succinctly) ‘absolutely haunting, and gorgeous.’
    Thank you for taking the time to source the shots you couldn’t get yourself, and generously sharing that lovely experience with us. With your good manners and restraint not to even dignify them with a response, not to rise to the bait, you’re leading by example.

    Reply
  30. Chelsea says

    June 25, 2009 at 3:27 am

    I love all your photos in Tokyo! Also Congrats on your collaboration w/ UO shoes– they look amazing and so exciting!
    <3 Chelsea'sGirl

    Reply
  31. Wendygital says

    June 25, 2009 at 5:57 am

    I’m a lover of japanese pop culture and its peculiarities…
    This is all so weird, cool and cute!
    Great post! :-)

    Reply
  32. Bri says

    June 25, 2009 at 10:00 am

    This is deliciously creepy.

    Reply
  33. Isabel says

    June 25, 2009 at 11:36 am

    Those are freaky as hell.

    Reply
  34. Regina says

    June 25, 2009 at 11:48 am

    I’m so impressed by you’re blog! It’s AMAZING!!!! Great pictures!!!
    I found this site because I was reading an artical about you on a dutch newssite :) I’m glad they posted the link! Bookmarked you’re site imediately :)
    Keep up the great work!
    Much love from Holland,
    Regina

    Reply
  35. Stephanie C. says

    June 25, 2009 at 12:04 pm

    What can I say that has not already been said about the Graces? Haunting, eery and “deliciously creepy”, as one comment says. Bottom line- love it. What an imagination Takahashi must possess to create such fascinating and weirdly wonderful things.
    After reading your post, I wandered through the internet last night, stumbling upon excerpts about Takahashi and his innovative designs. Love the white clothing he did for S2009RTW…so raw yet ethereal.

    Reply
  36. Britt says

    June 25, 2009 at 2:52 pm

    cool & interesting pics – BAH :)
    the japanese style is so much fun…
    have a nice trip!
    greetings from Hamburg.

    Reply
  37. Sara says

    June 26, 2009 at 2:16 pm

    really nice photos.
    I love the strange combination, it´s so beautiful.

    Reply
  38. CAGRI says

    June 27, 2009 at 4:00 am

    I will be at Tokyo next week, I love Graces.
    Where’s the exhibition, I’d like to visit or live with them :)

    Reply
  39. Cruz says

    June 27, 2009 at 9:42 pm

    I’ve thought these were so cool, it’s one of those ideas I wish I came up with haha. Takahashi is so talented!

    Reply
  40. Mercury says

    June 28, 2009 at 9:45 pm

    I wonder if the Graces have any reference to the greek mythology as painted by Sandro Botticelli’s ‘Primavera’ and Rafael’s ‘The Three Graces’….they were a popular group of figures during the Renaissance. They are three women either depicted in nude or lavish clothing as painted on the Primavera.

    Reply
  41. Danial says

    July 6, 2009 at 1:57 am

    Nice and fine post

    Reply
  42. Anna says

    January 30, 2010 at 2:13 pm

    I want one ! Their so AMAZING I LOVE THEM !!!!! HOW DO YOU KNOW THEIR NAMES?????

    Reply
  43. Jordan says

    January 30, 2010 at 2:15 pm

    They are so cool and yet kind of creepy. They are still AMAZING!!!!!!(:

    Reply
  44. Anna says

    January 30, 2010 at 2:19 pm

    Haunting,erie but absolutly without a doubt ENCHANTING. WHAT ARE THEIR NAMES?!?!? I LOVE THEM!!!! I really want one esspesialy the last one I love that one the most!!!

    Reply
  45. cheap kamagra says

    April 27, 2010 at 10:59 pm

    What are some general facts about sea animals? It is for a 1st grade report and she needs some ideas. Thanks.

    Reply
  46. women oral sex says

    May 3, 2010 at 4:23 pm

    these figures are a bit strange but original! I like!

    Reply
  47. generic viagra says

    July 13, 2010 at 1:42 am

    I like this technology I would like to watch this
    movie. I wish to make such a nice movie.
    keep posting more about such movies.
    ….Alex

    Reply
  48. Jordans 4 says

    July 18, 2010 at 9:41 pm

    everytime you hear the rolling thunder
    You turn around before the lightening strikes
    does it ever make you stop and wonder

    Reply
  49. Supra Dixon says

    July 21, 2010 at 9:35 pm

    Seeing your post come accorss in the online,form it remind me a large number of languge knowledge.Thank you.

    Reply
  50. Viagra says

    July 29, 2010 at 11:42 am

    There are so crazy costumes and the lights are interesting too . great effect and now i know how you can make it as well i will try to make me one very easy to make.

    Reply
  51. ugg classic short says

    August 21, 2010 at 4:49 am

    That’s a cool project. You have inspired me to adapt this project for my high school level design class.

    Reply
  52. arizona self storage says

    March 1, 2011 at 1:37 am

    Nowadays, technology makes me crazy. How on earth did they thought about it.

    Reply
  53. auto glass says

    April 19, 2011 at 10:46 pm

    Those are definitely weird but creative works.

    Reply
  54. kamagra says

    February 27, 2012 at 8:00 am

    I certainly won’t be sleeping soundly tonight with this image in my head. Wow really weird! :)

    Reply

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Jane Aldridge became one of the earliest pioneers of style blogging when she launched her Sea of Shoes in 2007. For the past decade, Jane has appeared in and worked with dozens of leading fashion publications and brands all over the world.

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