We love this extraordinary collaboration between two of our favorite Japanse companies Midori and Takeo Paper, in which they experiment with the product of paper in a beautifully manner, both print-wise and in the use of unique sorts of paper. Under the name 'Card Labo' the two Japanese companies have pledged to work together and create beautiful new products combining their individual specialties. The first set of products is a wonderful start. Designed in an 'Encyclopedia' format in which various printing processes were put to use, four series of four greeting cards with each a different theme were developed, truly engaging the senses. [ Continue reading ]

For its 5th year anniversary of the passport size TRAVELER'S notebook, Midori teamed up with the Hong Kong-based ferry company,  "STAR" ferry, Limited. Midori designed a whole stationery and accessory range to personalize your STAR EDITION notebook within the STAR ferry theme.
Available for limited time only, the STAR EDITION Passport size TRAVELER'S notebook is made of a beautiful camel colored leather and comes with a emerald elastic band, which makes a perfect combination. At the back the collaboration is embossed in the leather cover. It has the same features as the original Midori TRAVELER'S notebook passport size, and one can update its interior with either the 004 card/zipper file or the 010 kraft file. [ Continue reading ]

There was a time in which Egyptian cotton stood for the highest possible quality one could get. In particular Helmut Lang's t-shirts made from that particular fiber, for us at least, being the epitomy of understated luxury. Unfortunately, soon after the term and use became established within the globalizing luxury industry, it started to go down hill with the thriving industry. More and more farmers started mixing Indian and American seeds with their original sources for cotton, which caused both a quality drop and resulted in government involvement in the market that eventually toppled the whole industry drastically: with smaller amounts of true premium Egyptian cotton being exported every year. In spite of these developments, in our minds, cotton from Egypt never lost that connotation of the remarkable. Therefore, when at the beginning of 2016 we encountered a small Toronto-based fashion brand named Kotn —honoring the great heritage of true premium Egyptian cotton and understated basic clothing— that came as a wonderful surprise.

A year earlier, Kotn was founded by friends Mackenzie Yeates, Rami Helali and Benjamin Sehl. Based in Toronto, the company partners directly with cotton farmers and textile factories in Egypt's Nile Delta to produce their high-quality basics, including T-shirts, sweats, boxers and dress shirts. By scrapping the middleman, Kotn ensures a fair wage for their manufacturers and an honest price for the consumer. What started with a quest for the perfect white t-shirt has expanded into a full line of men’s standards – hoodies, henleys, sweatshirts, sweatpants, polos, oxfords, pajamas and underwear. Kotn launched with a direct-to-consumer online model, which has garnered a cult-following for the successful Toronto-based start-up. Last week, the company brought their vision to the next level by opening their first brick-and-mortar shop on Toronto’s Queen Street West. Whenever in Ontario's capital, make sure to drop by and get familiar with their inspirational vision! [ Continue reading ]

We are very grateful for everyone who had a share within the very first Our Current Obsession as without them we couldn't have realized it. Having introduced the main collaborator GERTRUD & GEORGE, some of the artists involved (with more to come), and ,The World of Black' in our space has been extended long and wide onto the online Our Current Obsessions environment, now it is time to give a proper insight into the other partners with which we’ve created the core of the extraordinary black selection of products for sale in our space on the Schippersgracht in Amsterdam. As these stores offer only the finest in their particular specialty we’ve named them Holland’s Finest, to which we owe a sincere debt of gratitude and feel honored to have collaborated with. [ Continue reading ]

With all the fashion fairs ahead during the coming weeks, there's a lot to share. From collaborations (Nigel Cabourn with Midori Notebooks) to new and upcoming brands, it's all there. First one is a project by  Sam Lambert and Shaka Maidoh, together with one of our favourite designers T-Michael (designer at Norwegian Rain, amongst others). Sam and Shaka selected a group of creatives from all over the world to create the essential sartorial travel pack.  [ Continue reading ]

Last week we received a lovely package with some small notebooks, pens and pencils from Calepino. We love stationary, but are are always very picky which one to use. Years back we started with Moleskine, then moved a level up with Rhodia (also made in France) and we're now very attached to the Midori notebooks. But we can't leave these small books un-noted. In their nice boxes, with rounded corners, robust cover and practical dimensions, they're simply beautiful. 'The Calepino pocket book was designed to be carried anywhere. [ Continue reading ]

We are very proud to announce that we, together with Tenue de Nîmes, may cary the beautiful Japanese Midori Traveler’s Notebook in our little online boutique. The Traveler’s Notebook is a hand made black leather cover with white and an… [ Continue reading ]