When we spotted the demure and shy artist at the 2006 Design Festa, we knew instantly that Akimoto San had something very special that we wanted, needed and had to have. From a distance we eyed off the larger than life painting she was slowing and carefully evolving. She seemed so engrossed in her work, not wanting to disturb her we penned down her details she has left scribbled on a piece of card at the front of her festa booth and stood back watching her mastery.

Taking a few sneaky happy snaps of her in action (pictured) we watched as others surrounded her live performance.

When the need for an artist for TOKYOMADE's first promo postcard series came up, we both knew without doubt who we wanted to do them; the timid creator with the not so mousey illustrations.

Many emails, phone calls and café meetings later Akimoto presented us three images for our TOKYOMADE postcard series. We hope you agree, they are true eye openers.

Watch out for Akimoto's designs included in every TOKYOMADE package!

For any of you lucky enough to have made the trip to a Tokyo Design Festa, you know exactly what we are talking about when we say it is bigger than big. In fact this display of fine creations IS the biggest art event in Asia. Tokyo Design Festa describes itself as an International Art Event open to all artists. This event even comes with a guarantee - "guaranteed to stimulate creative energy amongst all visitors and exhibitors."

It is true! Wandering past the intriguing, sparkling and, at times, startling booths at the festa we were so creatively stimulated that thoughts began to sprout. We dreamt of an online world where everybody would have access to the Tokyo coolness that we had at our fingertips. When we offered up our idea to some of the artists around us we were overwhelmed with the positive response and so began the TOKYOMADE adventure.

We hope you love the unique creations from Japan as much as we do! Oh and if you haven't been to a Tokyo Design Festa at the Tokyo Big Site, we totally recommend that you do, you'll be blown away. Come visit us sometime soon, the next one is May 26 & 27, 2007.

TM xx

Actually there is a whole lot more to this dazzling city than first meets the eye. It is often a roller coaster ride wild enough to rival any big name theme park. Our little blog here is a way of taking you on that ride with us.

We have so much to share with you; we are full to the brim with Tokyo stories, fashion reports, street shots, designer interviews, product reviews and daily bits and pieces from the city. There are so many places that we need to take you and so much to show off. So come on, fasten your seat belts; let us show you around this town.

The TOKYOMADE blog will also be a way for us to get to know each other a little better. We have heaps of fun stuff planned for you and of course we are really looking forward to reading your comments. You can leave comments below anytime. If you would prefer you can also send us mail (contact@tokyomade.com) with your thoughts, ideas and cute pics.

Thanks for stopping by.

TM xx

We recieve so many messages on our TOKYOMADE myspace from super Tokyo lovers. The lovin' is overwhelming and we are tickled pink that so many of you adore this fancy city as much as we do.

In addition to questions such as..."Can you give me Hello Kitty's home address?" and "Is it true that robots wander the streets in search of lost microchips?", there is one question repeated by most fans; "WHERE ARE THE TOKYO SHOPPING HOTSPOTS?"

This is not an easy one to answer as there is not just one hotspot. There are bubbling shopping springs all over this crazy city. So we are taking TOKYOMADE to the streets to get you the insider info and help you find the hottest shopping spots in Tokyo.

Stick around for shop reviews and interviews...first stop is the pumping and pulsating fashion strip right in the heart of it all.

While you are waiting we suggest you check out superfuture tokyo for great reviews and maps of the city we love!

See you in a bit!
TM xx

ps Thanks a million to all of our new Tokyo Fanclub subscribers...watch your inbox for Tokyo news coming very soon!

pps TELL US WHERE TO GO! If you have a shop or style that you would like us to seek out and review for you email us and we will take you there via the TOKYOMADE blog...it's our job/pleasure to bring you the latest Tokyo style from the streets (and we love it!)

Did you know that we have a fan club? Yep, we certainly do! I mean what kind of city would it be without it's very own fan club?

Oh so you want to be a member of the Tokyo Fan Club and recieve funky fashion updates, chances to enter our crazy Tokyo competitions and be in the running for oh so fab Tokyo freebies? Cast your eyes to the side of the TOKYOMADE blog, no not that side the other one... simply enter your email address where it asks you to; under the Tokyo Fan Club title thingie. You will recieve a quick little message confirming that you really want to be a part of the Tokyo fun and then you can wait with baited breath for the first fabulous installment of the Tokyo Fan Club Newsletter.

In other news...twas a stunning day here in Tokyo today. Things are slowly starting to warm up! This is an exciting time of year in the city. Fashions are changing, the shops are filling with spring suggestions and thoughts are drifting to a hanami time when the sakura flowers will be in full bloom as will the spring parties! We can't wait to have one very huge pink party!

The March mags are full of blooming Spring fashion. So we thought we would share some of the top fashion tips from the cutest mags on the shelf - Cutie, Zipper and Kera.

Top 10 tips in no particular order...

* Leopard print - shirts, skirts, jackets and accessories. Seems the streets of Tokyo will be filled with wild cats this season.

* Anything Vivian Westwood. The streets of Tokyo are no stranger to Ms Westwood's sparkling array, her presence shall continue.

* Long necklaces with oversized pieces dangling from them. Another ongoing trend on the streets of Tokyo.

* Big hearts! Swinging from ears, necks and bags, big hearts are a symbol of the love splashed season.

* Bows! Pink bows, red bows, metallic bows, plastic bows. Bows for your hair, bows on a chain, bows for your phone, bows on your belt. Bows, bows everywhere.

* Bright tights. Tokyo is the city of leg and foot fashion, in every shape, color and pattern. Spring is a time to shed the thermals and show off the tights and high socks. Bright tights under dresses and skirts, high socks growing out of boots. 3/4 animal print tights, lace, stars, spots, stripes and lolita print.

* Vintage! This month's CUTiE magazine has an ultra cool spread showing off all of the hot and happening vintage stores in Tokyo. Vintage stores or op shops in Tokyo are breathtaking and tear jerking experiences, but often overpriced; clever CUTiE gives some awesome thrifty fashion tips. TOKYOMADE plans to let you in on more of these secrets over the next few weeks.

* Remakes. DIY fashion. The Tokyo kids sure know how to whip up a complete eye opening ensemble. As the winter jackets are peeled off Spring creations will be revealed.

* Chiffon and satin. Retro and romance.

* PINK (of course)

These are just a few of the stand out Fashion fixes for the season. We will be sure to write up all precious new fashion sightings!

ps More blossoms in the park! YAY! Spring is on it's way!

TM xx

Awh shucks we are mighty chuffed and thank you all so very very much for the love we are feeling from all over the world! Tokyo thanks you!

We were super joyed when we spotted TOKYOMADE on the ultra cool Indie Quarter blog, an awesome site based in the UK that highlights all things independent and unique.

Then of course the Tokyo kids had to get in on the act. Frangipani flattered us, Leila Chan was as luscious as ever, The Obasan Kicker kept his legs to himself and Sigsy oozed sweetness.

Then before we knew it we started popping up in all kinds of cool places like here, here, here and here!

Stylehive was a surprise and Tokyo ala Mode tickled us pink!

Thanks also to LF and the gorg Felt Cafe.

Your support means everything to us, by letting the world know about TOKYOMADE designers you are supporting independent design and creation in Japan.

We were going to keep these sweet little monkeys a secret until next week and show them off on Girl's Day (March 3), but they were just too cute! Their solar powered bobbing heads begged us to let them out of the box.

The two onsen buddies, with towels appropriately balanced on top of their heads, look as content and happy as any monkey could ever hope to be. For any of you who have had the pleasure of a good, long soak in any of Japan's many natural hot springs you know the joy and relaxation that comes with it (once you get over the initial shock of having to be completely naked in a hot bath with your boss, mother-in-law and twelve other inquisitive bathers.)

Uki Uki is Japanese for excitment and fun happenings. The Uki Uki island monkeys bob their heads full of excitment and sing a sweet and chirpy little tune as they do so. We simply cannot stop watching them and giggling away as they relax us with their kawaii ways.