To commemorate ith's 10th anniversary, we invited 11 families, all of whom had commissioned rings with us in the past, to our atelier for a special photo session titled "A Portrait of Your Rings."
Thank you to all the families who participated and to everyone involved in making this event a success.
From the very beginning, it has been my ideal for ith to foster lifelong relationships with our customers—not simply ending with the creation or delivery of their rings.
When we sent out invitations to our customers from the past decade, I was both nervous and excited, wondering how many would still remember us and take an interest in the event. To my surprise and delight, far more people than expected expressed their eagerness to participate. I realized that we had stayed connected all along, and more than feeling happy, I was truly amazed.
After countless rounds of preparation and discussions, the big day finally arrived.
Initially, both we and the families visiting the atelier were a bit nervous, but thanks to the guidance of our photographer, Ms. Torisu, the atmosphere soon became warm and inviting. The session allowed us to witness glimpses of the families' everyday lives, making it an incredibly heartening experience.
During interviews conducted alongside the photo session, we uncovered each family's unique stories and sentiments about their rings.
Each ring held carefully thought-out stories, from how its design was decided to the favorite details and the sense of matching with their partner. I was amazed at how vividly everyone remembered these aspects. It was heartwarming to see families reminisce with a touch of shyness or share their stories as light-hearted memories.
For me, as a concierge, this was the first opportunity in 10 years to hear firsthand how customers feel about their rings, both at the time of creation and now. It filled me with a deep sense of fulfillment and pride to know that I had contributed to memories that remain significant to them.
It was wonderful to experience a sense of emotion during this photoshoot that I wouldn’t typically encounter just through interactions at the atelier.
Among the participants in the photoshoot was a couple whose engagement ring I had the privilege of creating. Nine years ago, they visited the Omotesando atelier to consult with me, and since then, they have returned to ith at every milestone.
From their proposal and marriage registration to their wedding anniversaries, their growing history has been intertwined with ith. Reuniting with them on these occasions and sharing updates about each other’s lives has always been something I look forward to. For me, this couple holds a particularly special place in my heart.
I still vividly recall their candid concern when ith began expanding beyond the two original ateliers in Kichijoji and Omotesando. They expressed hope that the essence of ith wouldn’t be lost amidst its growth.
As ith continues to expand and more ateliers are opened, I see it as my role to balance adapting to the present with preserving the charm and values that defined us in the beginning. In navigating the changes ahead, I aim to stay grounded by holding onto the words and sentiments shared by this couple, ensuring we don’t lose sight of our direction.
This year, alongside the photoshoot, we have been working on various projects and planning for the year ahead. Marking our 10th anniversary has provided an opportunity to reflect on what we want to achieve and envision how ith can continue to evolve in the future.
While I’m usually more focused on the present than on envisioning the future, I now find myself clearly imagining ith 10 years from now.
Striving for an ith that connects to the next generation over the next 10 years.
Starting as a small atelier in the alleys of Kichijoji, ith has grown over the past decade. My own experiences with marriage and motherhood during this time have naturally shaped my vision of the future.
If the children of our early customers are now 10 years old, in about 10 years, they might get married or start their careers. At that time, if they want to make rings at the same place as their parents did, or even become a concierge themselves, I would feel that ith is definitely heading in the right direction by its 20th anniversary.
I hope to continue moving forward for the next 10 years, so that we can build lasting relationships that we can cherish for a lifetime.
Thank you for your unwavering support.
ith Ayu Takahashi
Special Contents: Rings and the Days That Follow for the Two of You
