This is how Natsuko Toyofuku's passion was born, between an exhibition and another. “I was looking at the ladies and their jewels. They were jewels with new shapes, different from the classic ones. Those were the years of cultural innovation in Milan: the designers would dare and experiment with eccentric combinations of shapes and colors. By attending Milan’s art scene, I was able to experience the enthusiasm of creating something new since I was a child, and as I grew up this philosophy became mine own".
Natsuko's path as an entrepreneur began in the 80s, and since then it has brought her a series of satisfactions and achievements. “In particular, I carry small, daily joyful moments in my heart, such as watching people stop and look at my creations, for example. I remember my amazement when, in the 90s, I noticed that the people stopping by the window of my shop were mainly children. Children have no filters, they know how to grasp what is really creative without restrictions. This is why it was a great success for me to capture their attention."
The bond with the East is always strong and represents an essential element of Natsuko Toyofuku's creations. "I go back to Japan once a year. Living away from your own culture allows you to better appreciate its beauty, from a different perspective".Thus her hands give life to a unique aesthetic, a combination of influences both from Japan and from revolutionary Italian artists, such as Lucio Fontana and Giuseppe Capogrossi. And even more: "Inspiration can come from moments, details, from different disciplines. Especially at the beginning of my career, I was also fascinated by the minimal and clean shapes of Scandinavian and Danish artists".
When she starts creating a jewel, Natsuko Toyofuku never begins from the design, but she immediately starts modeling the wax. "I think about what I would like to wear at that moment, and I collect in my mind all the inspirations I have drawn from the surroundings".
The artisans she collaborates with are key. "I have managed to get here thanks to the skills of the enamellers and the goldsmiths who have worked with me over the years. For me this is the essence of excellence: the ability to work together with highly skilled and creative craftsmen". And the MAM award represents for her, for them, a great acknowledgement. “I can hardly believe I have won such an important and unique award, which values the people who have dedicated their lives to this craft. A craft made of dedication, everydayness, discipline. It is a great honor for me".