Sayoko Kitai

Specialized in Jewelry Design.

Sayoko Kitai

About Sayoko Kitai

Sayoko Kitai mainly produces wearable art jewelry. These fully-3D embroidery works are created using the Double-Sided Embroidery technique, by which the same pattern can be stitched on both sides of an item simultaneously. Her brand offers a bespoke service and can craft an original item designed not only by Sayoko but also by customers themselves. It also offers altered fashion items, including bags and jackets, made from Japanese traditional kimono and obi.

  • Winner of the A' Design Award.
  • Specialized in Jewelry Design.
  • Original Design.
  • Creative, Diligent and Innovative.
  • All Designs
  • Jewelry
Butterfly Brooch

Butterfly Brooch

Jewelry Design

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Interview with Sayoko Kitai

Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
My brand devised the novel Double-Sided 3D Embroidery technique and is creating bespoke products including art jewelry and altered fashion items.
What kinds of works do you like designing most?
Art jewelry. It’s because they are so delicate and needs meticulous attention to details when designing. It’s always challenging but fun for me at the same time.
What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
Butterflies are my most favorite design because their wings’ patterns are so complicated and it is difficult to find how I can reproduce their beauty when it is realized.
Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
Back side of the works. Usually people see the front side but don't see the back side of things. However, in my opinion, we, designers should take great care of the details, even back sides.
When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
I first consider its overall balance, because I think it’s the key for successful designs, as well as its backside.
From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
Enriching people’s lives through designs and leaving them as a record of this age for future generations.
When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
My last exhibition was held at Saliot gallery, Tokyo, Japan, and another exhibition is to be held at Chibagin Himawari gallery, Tokyo, Japan from July 5th to 18th, 2022.
Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
I can get a lot of inspirations by going out. I often visit galleries, parks, and so on.
Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?
I live in Japan. And when I was a child, I lived in a city close to Kyoto, old capital of Japan, so many beautiful legacies had an impact on my design style.
What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
Listening to designers and incorporating their ideas are important.
What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
Tablets are the great tool for scaling. Pens that are easy to hold and draw are necessary for me.
Can you describe a day in your life?
In the morning, after doing some workout, mainly stretching, I start designing or crafting. In early evening, I go for a walk to get new inspirations.
From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
Getting steady income might be difficult even though you have excellent skills and a sense of design. But you can get a great pleasure and a sense of happiness, once you are recognized.
What are your future plans? What is next for you?
I want to earn a solid brand reputation and market my designed items globally in the near future.
Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
I usually work by myself but also like working with other people.
How can people contact you?
I prefer to be contacted via e-mail (sayoko@rittai-shisyuu.net) or inquiry page on my website (https://www.rittai-shisyuu-en.net/contact/).

Designer of the Day Interview with Sayoko Kitai

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?
I have been in this industry for more than 20 years and recognized by several organizations for great quality of my works. One of the most prominent clients for me is Ms. Yumi Katsura, a famous wedding dress designer. I provided some embroidery works for wedding dresses and a tuxedo she designed. I have never learned designing or stitching at any school but learned them by myself.
How did you become a designer?
I first started stitching because I just wanted to make my children happy. I really liked seeing them smiling when they saw stitched cars or robots. My strong feeling of wanting to reproduce the beauty of nature is also one of my reasons to become a designer and creator.
Which emotions do you feel when designing?
I feel excited through the course of designing and creation with the realized work in my mind. For me, the most exciting moment is when designs are realized.
What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?
I watch and examine things closely and always keep designing or creating without giving up. I think these helped me become successful.
What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?
Almost 40 years ago, I started designing and stitching for my children. It had been just one of my favorite things to do for a long time. But, after I won several prizes and awards, I trademarked “Rittai-Shisyuu (3D Embroidery)” about 20 years ago, started creating embroidery works as business, and established my own brand 2 years ago.
What is your day to day look like?
In the morning, after doing some workout, mainly stretching, I start designing or crafting. In early evening, I go for a walk to get new inspirations.
How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?
I read fashion magazines to follow up trends. That said, it is important for me to prioritize what I really want to design and create.
How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?
I first look at its overall balance, because I think it is the key for successful designs, as well as its backside.
What is your biggest design work?
As I mentioned earlier, my biggest work is for Yumi Katsura, because it was very time-sensitive. I also had to design and craft embroidery works just with her staff’s directions and images and without even seeing sketches of her dress design or the actual dress made.
Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?
I love to design in a quiet environment. However, during crafting, I love to listen to BABYMETAL songs.
Would you tell us more about your work culture and business philosophy?
Collaborating with other people is possible for me, and the most desirable partner can be a person who can inspire each other and be on level ground.
What positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?
Design competitions such as the A’ Design Award are one of the opportunities for gaining publicity, as well as a chance to try designing new works.

Extended Interview with Sayoko Kitai

How did you become a designer?
Whenever I see all the beautiful things around me, I am urged to reproduce them.
What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?
I chose to become a designer and have never been forced to do so before.
What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?
Just try to watch and examine things around you so that you can develop the ability to appreciate things or beauty.
How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?
I think just keeping creating what you really want to design is the key.
Who is your favourite designer?
Morpho Rhetenor Helena Butterfly brooch is my greatest design ever because it was first time for me to be successfully able to make their wings form-changeable.
Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?
When I design something, I design it again and again until I feel satisfied. This has improved my skills.
Would you tell us more about your work culture and business philosophy?
I can’t imagine myself doing anything else other than the designer and creator.
What positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?
Team members on this project, because I was finally able to create an embroidery work that can be called jewelry.

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