Unique prints always tend to grab our attention, whether we’re admiring an art exhibition or cruising the runway for active-influenced graphics. We find inspiration in pattern and illustration because we believe color and design bring out the best in us, so it was only natural that we were drawn to the playful prints found throughout Mokuyobi Threads’ collections of bags, apparel, accessories and camp patches.
From futuristic doodle patterns to adventure party collages, we were captivated by the enchanting design of Mokuyobi’s youthful lifestyle products. We had to learn more, so we got in touch with Mokuyobi’s Founder and Creative Director, Julie Pinzur, to get the details on the brand’s design process, inspiration and overall vision.
Q. How did Mokuyobi Threads come to life? As the founder, what is your background in product design and/or art?
A. Born in the north suburbs of Chicago, I always loved to make things and became very interested in the construction of garments from a young age. While developing my sewing skills, I felt that the products I made weren’t truly my own unless I was designing textiles to incorporate into my products. I went to Parsons The New School for Design to study Illustration, and learned to make textile designs and patterns so that I could incorporate my custom prints into my sewing.
Mokuyobi was a fusion of these things, inspired by a semester of studying abroad in Tokyo. I love to design products and textiles that are a pretty wild and crazy. You have to have a sense of humor and be comfortable with standing out to wear them, but I try to design a simpler style or pattern in each line so everyone can get in on the fun. I design all of the products in my Brooklyn home studio. Sometimes it takes months to develop a product. I create the designs, make the patterns, and sew the first sample. Usually I work on multiple designs at a time. When putting together a new line, I curate down bag silhouettes and new pattern designs I’ve done. I source all of the materials and send them to our manufacturers in the USA to be made with the highest attention to quality and detail.
Q. So, you design most of the prints and patterns? Where does the inspiration for these designs come from?
A. Yes, I design the majority of the prints. The inspiration can come from anywhere: nature, storytelling, inside jokes, doodle parties and more. Sometimes I pick a theme and run with it in a playful way. You never know when a print/pattern idea will jump out at you!
Q. How would you describe Mokuyobi’s primary color palettes for products?
A. It’s all about the punch. When I design a print, the color palette can really make or break it. I stick to bright hues in general, but throw in neutrals, pastels and darker shades to end up with well-rounded, high-contrast illustrated patterns.
Q. What does Mokuyobi Threads mean and who are your customers?
A. We are led by our desire to create something different and new, using bold colors, magic and awesome sauce.
Mokuyobi, or 木曜日 (もくようび), means “Thursday” in Japanese. To us, Thursday is the best day of the week. We believe that there is always something to look forward to, whether it’s just Thursday, your rad friend‘s party, vacation time or a hot date. We believe that there are always good things coming that spark excitement, and we strive to create that same spark in you when your Mokuyobi package arrives. With our products, we are giving a shout out to anyone who loves to stand out and wear their Mokuyobi item as a proud badge of their own individuality, whatever that means to them. We call these individuals the “Super Beings of Earth and Beyond.” We develop our products from scratch with a high focus on functionality and ultimate radness. This way you can score bags, hats and patches that are not only seriously cool products, but make sense for your day-to-day.
Q. Where did Mokuyobi Threads’ youthful, optimistic vibe stem from?
A. We believe in good vibes. When you smile at someone unexpectedly, you can make their day, and colors also have this effect on people. By putting products with fun color blocking and crazy prints out into the world, we hope to bring a smile to anyone that comes across them, and make the world a little less serious because when it comes down to it, everyone just wants to have a good time.
Q. Do you work with illustrators or other artists?
A. We did a fun collaboration in the past with artist Adam Smith, and have another one coming out for spring with the talented Rand Renfrow. We also have lots of collaboration projects in the works, so stay tuned!
Q. How are Mokuyobi’s products different from other lifestyle brands on the market?
A. Color and function. We definitely don’t aim to blend in. Color and usability are frontiers that we are always exploring. We enjoy taking a different approach to bag shapes, styles and palettes that haven’t been done before rather than repeating what is already on the market.
Q. Can you tell us about Mokuyobi’s camp patches? Where did the idea come from and how you see people using them?
A. We started making and selling patches about two years ago to come with our Bedford Bag as a fun DIY element. We quickly saw that they were very popular, so we made more in varied designs to pump out for people to sew or iron on their bags, jackets, pants or wherever! Now that we see it turning into a trend, we are very excited for the scope of patches in the future.
Q. Our logo is a flag, too! What does the Mokuyobi Threads flag mean to the brand?
The logo flag evokes a sense of adventure and exploration, as well as a brand statement of individuality and a way of life that aims at making sure having fun is always number one.
XX SYDNEY