On 5th February 2021, ith opened a new atelier in Kyushu, located in Fukuoka's Tenjin area.
I didn't have the opportunity to visit Fukuoka Tenjin until the day before the opening. When I first arrived at the completed atelier, I was thrilled. It encapsulated the best elements of ith's ateliers, with its symbolic entrance arch, a mystical corridor like Omotesando atelier, and lights hanging from the second-floor ceiling to the first floor, reminiscent of Shinjuku and Umeda ateliers.
Travelling from Fukuoka airport by subway to the nearest station, I headed towards the atelier, guided by a map. The first thing that caught my eye was the large ith sign outside the atelier.
Seeing the ith logo floating on a white background filled me with determination – a new beginning for ith in this new location.
Starting from a small, inconspicuous atelier in Kichijoji without a prominent sign, a hidden gem of a place, it's almost unbelievable how ith has grown to welcome customers in a splendid atelier far from Tokyo, in Fukuoka, reaching this point at an incredible speed. It makes me reflect on our journey anew.
Seven years since its inception in 2014, ith’s journey has been about crafting rings that resonate truly with our customers. This dedication has been recognised and valued by them, leading to where ith stands today.
Fukuoka holds special memories for me. My maternal grandparents are from Kitakyushu, and until I was in middle school, I would visit my relatives there every summer. I helped with harvesting tomatoes and cucumbers on their farm, collected pretty pink sakura shells by the sea, and spent hours catching killfish in the river – these are some of my fond memories from the country side. The intense sunlight, the smell of straw in the barn, I remember them vividly even now.
The Fukuoka of my childhood, which seemed so distant and only visited once a year, is now a place I'll be visiting frequently for work. Life is full of unexpected turns!
For the opening of the new atelier, five concierges, mostly from Kyushu, gathered in Fukuoka. Just as ith designs its ateliers' interiors to match the local streetscape and ambiance, we also strive to staff our ateliers with individuals who have a connection to the area as much as possible. Understanding the unique thoughts and culture of the area provides a comforting closeness between our customers and concierges. This approach has been a consistent part of ith since its beginning.
The team leader at the Fukuoka Tenjin Atelier, Ms. Takeuchi, is a veteran who previously led the Nagoya Sakae and then Omiya ateliers.
When she joined the company about three and a half years ago, I never imagined she would become a lead who thrives in so many different ateliers.
My first memory of Ms. Takeuchi was during her job interview. Suddenly asked to conduct the interview at the Ginza atelier, I remember her saying, "I'm so moved to meet Ms. Takahashi today!" At that time, I thought it was impressive how she could express her thoughts openly without embarrassment. I felt that she wasn't exaggerating to please us during the interview but was speaking sincerely from her heart.
Initially the youngest concierge, she needed guidance in customer interaction. Seeing her talk about an ith ring as if she had crafted it herself, saying, "I love the curve here on the ’Moderato’," and her dedication to fulfilling customers' wishes, embodying this attitude and conveying it to fellow craftsmen, has taught me feelings I could never have experienced working alone. Having colleagues to work with is truly a blessed and happy circumstance.
With Ms. Takeuchi as the principal concierge, the Fukuoka Atelier has brought together concierges with diverse personalities.
They are bright, cheerful, and have a way of putting customers at ease.
Even as the number of ateliers and craftsmen grows, I want to continue evolving, maintaining our customer-focused approach and sharing ideals with my colleagues.
Ayu Takahashi, ith
