FROM FRANCE TO JAPAN : CELEBRATING THE MAGIC OF CHILDHOOD OVER THE GLOBE
Japan holds a special place in our hearts. Our designer Monique first traveled in September 1975 during her honeymoon and visited Tokyo, Kyoto, Kamakura, Yokohama as well as Kobe. She instantly fell in love with the country!
We were thus deeply honored when Yuki Itoh, head of San Sakae Petit, reached out to suggest a partnership. Ever since 2020, we have been celebrating childhood together through exclusive capsules of Charlotte sy Dimby dresses designed specially for Japan. These collaborations have led to a beautiful friendship.
We are therefore delighted to present Yuki and her wonderful brand San Sakae.
To read the article in Japanese click HERE
Can you present San Sakae Petit?
San Sakae Petit is the children's department of San Sakae. We are specialised in baby and children's clothing and accessories. We dress little ones from head to toe : hairbows, dresses, rompers, knitwear, socks, shoes... We carry several carefully selected brands.
We have a boutique in Kobe, we frequently take part in pop ups all over Japan and also have an online boutique.
Can you tell us about the story of San Sakae and its origin?
My grandparents founded San Sakae in Kobe in 1958.
Sourcing products from Europe, it began as a men's necktie import company.
It met great success and quickly grew into a sophisticated men and women wear boutique. It has been operating in the same location for more than 60 years.
In 2018, we expanded to children's wear. I direct everything from the brand selection, the boutique interior design, the e-shop, the pop-ups, marketing, communication...
Can you tell us the story of the name San Sakae Petit?
"Sakae" is part of my great-grandfather’s name and "San" was a trendy and popular add-on word at the time.
Can you present your team?
We continue to run the company as a family. My father is president now. We have 7 staff members : 3 for the ladies' wear section and 4 for the boutique.
Can you tell us about your special link with Europe and France?
Kobe, Motomachi, where our boutique is located, has a large port. For hundreds of years, it has been a place of cultural exchange and has been deeply influenced by international interaction. With the opening of the Kobe port, many people from Europe and America began to live in the area, and even today, we are therefore very familiar with foreign culture, especially in terms of clothing and food.
I myself was often dressed in European smocked and embroidered dresses by my mother when I was little, so focusing on traditional European children’s clothing felt only natural.
How do you imagine the future of San Sakae?
We are a company with over 60 years of history. Our mission is to keep it growing and to always make customers’ satisfaction our priority.
For those visiting Japan for the first time, which city do you recommend visiting first?
The best introduction to Japan is Kyoto. This will give you a good insight of Japanese culture. It is very lively, colorful and sightseeing is fun.
I also recommend Nara which is home to 3 of Japan’s world heritage sites and has a great deal of gorgeous shrines.
What is your favourite Japanese tradition?
I am very fond of our traditional architecture, we have beautiful temples and shrines. I am also very attached to the Japanese spirit of hospitality. We take great care in welcoming our guests with respect, politeness and kindness.
Mother of two children, how do you manage to handle both family life and career?
We support each other as a family. My father and mother live nearby and are able to help with the children when I am very busy. My husband lives Tokyo because of his work, but spends as much time as he can with our children when he is home and takes care of them when I travel for pop up events.
How to shop our dresses?
You can shop our collaboration dresses straight from the San Sakae e-shop (shipping to Japan only) or visit the boutique located 2 Chome-1-9 Motomachidori, Chuo Ward, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0022, Japan
You can shop our regular Charlotte sy Dimby collections straight on our e-shop. We can ship all over the world and have new arrivals every month.
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