Loewe Crafted World Exhibition to Take Place In Tokyo

LOEWE will host a large-scale exhibition, "LOEWE Crafted World Exhibition," in Harajuku, Tokyo, starting March 29, celebrating the beauty of craftsmanship and the brand’s rich history. First launched in Shanghai in 2024, this exhibition is set to tour globally. Centered around Spanish tradition, innovation, and craftsmanship, it offers a rare opportunity to trace LOEWE’s creative journey. As the brand’s first-ever major exhibition, it showcases LOEWE’s 179-year evolution―from its origins in 1846 as a collective of leather artisans to its rise as a world-renowned fashion house―through a curated selection of products and artworks.

Designed in collaboration with OMA, renowned for its groundbreaking architectural projects, this exhibition offers an immersive experience of LOEWE’s 179-year evolution.
Spanning 1,300 square meters, the exhibition is divided into seven themed rooms, each showcasing different aspects of the brand’s craftsmanship and history.
The journey begins with a display of rare tools once used in the brand’s atelier, offering visitors a glimpse into LOEWE’s core craftsmanship. In a space designed to resemble the brand’s own workshop, attendees can explore the intricate production processes behind iconic bags such as the Puzzle, Flamenco, and Gate bags. Through recreated atelier displays and video presentations, the exhibition brings these creations to life.
Visitors can also discover LOEWE’s signature craftsmanship in meticulous detail, from leather weaving techniques and bag pattern-making to intarsia work. The exhibition even includes machines used for durability testing, alongside actual test results and artisans’ leather toolboxes, providing a rare behind-the-scenes look into the world of LOEWE’s creative excellence.

To commemorate the exhibition’s Japan debut, LOEWE will also showcase its cultural projects and collaborations with artists from both Japan and abroad.
Supported by the LOEWE Foundation, the exhibition features a documentary on the Ōnishi family’s tea ceremony kettles, a Kyoto-based craft tradition spanning over 400 years. Additionally, works by Craft Prize finalists Chikuunsai Tanabe fourth generation and Moe Watanabe, as well as ceramics from Kyoto-based Suna Fujita, highlight LOEWE’s deep connections with Japanese artisans.

A special space dedicated to Studio Ghibli, with whom LOEWE has collaborated three times in the past, offers a grand interactive fantasy experience. At its heart stands a giant 2-meter-tall "Howl’s Moving Castle Bag," crafted exclusively for this exhibition.
This magical installation incorporates signature LOEWE design elements, including panels from the Hammock bag, the undulating details of the Flamenco Clutch, and the interior pockets of the Goya bag. The castle is further adorned with miniature Amazona bags and bracelet pouches, creating an enchanting space that captivates both adults and children alike, as if stepping into a world of magic.

Among all the exhibits, the most breathtaking is a display of 54 looks that revolutionized LOEWE’s fashion under Jonathan Anderson’s decade-long tenure as Creative Director.
Showcasing precise craftsmanship, sculptural silhouettes, and playful trompe-l'œil effects, these looks resemble true works of art. The collection pieces exude a diverse and dynamic creativity, creating an immersive space that inspires and excites just by being observed.

Adjacent to the exhibition, the gift shop offers a selection of leather goods, fragrances, and art books, along with exclusive merchandise created specifically for the event.
Among the limited-edition items are a Hammock bag in exclusive colors and a mini size, as well as leather charms featuring a soft felt Hammock bag design and sakura-shaped motifs.
Following its highly successful debut in Shanghai, the Tokyo edition has already generated buzz for its deep cultural dialogue between Japan and LOEWE, offering a profound exploration of the brand’s essence. As this global exhibition continues its tour, fashion enthusiasts eagerly await future dates in other countries.

Courtesy: OMA

Text: Elie Inoue