Founder Aaron Benjamin shares how his Tokyo-based luxury fashion brand Ichijiku grew out of a collection of gifted kimonos and has since evolved into what he describes as more of an art gallery than a traditional label. Plus: executive advisor and tea ambassador, Rona Tison, on Ito En’s global expansion. 

Founder Aaron Benjamin shares how his Tokyo-based luxury fashion brand Ichijiku grew out of a collection of gifted kimonos and has since evolved into what he describes as more of an art gallery than a traditional label. Plus: executive advisor and tea ambassador, Rona Tison, on Ito En&rsquo;s global expansion.&nbsp;

Monocle Radio’s weekly tour of the most inspiring people, companies and ideas in global business, from startups to heritage brands, covering the best in hospitality, design, fashion and retail. 

Monocle Radio’s weekly tour of the most inspiring people, companies and ideas in global business, from startups to heritage brands, covering the best in hospitality, design, fashion and retail.

The Entrepreneurs

Threads and tea: new takes on Japanese tradition with Ichijiku and Ito En

As the Barack Obama Presidential Center opens in Chicago, we meet a husband-and-wife team whose brand studio was appointed the prime design partner for the historic civil landmark. Tom Crabtree and Patricia Callaway discuss Manual’s work with the Obama Foundation and the inherent challenges to a presidential commission.

As the Barack Obama Presidential Center opens in Chicago, we meet a husband-and-wife team whose brand studio was appointed the prime design partner for the historic civil landmark. Tom Crabtree and Patricia Callaway discuss Manual&rsquo;s work with the Obama Foundation and the inherent challenges to a presidential commission.

How a boutique studio landed the Obama Presidential Center brief 

Monocle’s Fernando Augusto Pacheco meets Chloé Bouscatel, co-founder of Sant Roch, Paris’s newest and largest sauna. Plus: Fernando chats champagne and magazines with the CEO of Publicisdrugstore, a Parisian institution on the Champs-Élysées.

Monocle&rsquo;s Fernando Augusto Pacheco meets Chlo&eacute; Bouscatel, co-founder of Sant Roch, Paris&rsquo;s newest and largest sauna. Plus: Fernando chats champagne and magazines with the CEO of Publicisdrugstore, a Parisian institution on the Champs-&Eacute;lys&eacute;es.

A visit to France’s biggest sauna, Sant Roch, and Publicisdrugstore

Architect and designer Jason Lempieri speaks about Tombino, a project that turns manhole-cover designs from cities around the world into functional art. Plus: we head to Tallinn to meet Andreas Tiik, co-founder of ÖÖD.

Architect and designer Jason Lempieri speaks about Tombino, a project that turns manhole-cover designs from cities around the world into functional art. Plus: we head to Tallinn to meet Andreas Tiik, co-founder of &Ouml;&Ouml;D.

Threads and tea: new takes on Japanese tradition with Ichijiku and Ito En

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