This interview was conducted by
[Profile
ith Representative
Ayu Takahashi
Representative of the jewelry brand "ith", which was born in 2014 from a small atelier in Kichijoji. The collection of wedding rings designed and prototyped by Takahashi herself includes a wide range of variations, from simple to unique, with more than 70 types. In addition to his activities as a designer, Takahashi also has many accomplishments as a creator, and has created more than 1,000 engagement and wedding rings based on the brand concept of "cherish one rather than many. Currently, in addition to preparing for the opening of new ateliers in Shinjuku, Fukuoka, and Umeda, he is the face of the brand and is also involved in the training of newly joined craftsmen.
Q Please tell us about your main activities from the time of the launch of ith to the present.
A We didn't have many customers when we first launched, but we gradually gained more customers through SNS, and from the second year onward, orders began to outnumber orders. When I could no longer keep up with the production on my own, Ishikawa joined the company, and we worked together until late at night.
Now, the production staff, including Ishikawa, who is the head of the company's workshop, and the production management staff, including Abe, who is the head of the production management department, have put in place a complete system so that I can concentrate on my work as a designer and creator.
Q. Looking back on your activities to date, what do you think?
A. I was originally a craftsman, so I was not good at customer service. At first, I felt uneasy about this, but when I actually interacted with customers, they listened to what I had to say, and I could see how they were enjoying themselves in the studio, and I gradually became confident that I could do it too.
At the same time, I realized that the interaction with customers at ith was not "customer service," but no different from "craftsmanship," in which we share our opinions to create something good, and discuss what they really want from the bottom of our hearts.
Q What do you value at ith?
What I want to keep in mind at ith is to make exactly what our customers want. That philosophy has not changed at all from when we started up.
Most customers who visit ith are not experts in rings, and their tastes, requests, and styles differ from one another. In order to make them feel as comfortable as possible in creating their ideal ring, we take the time to talk with them while they view our collection (samples) at our atelier.
For me, the time I spend with my clients in the atelier is very important.
I learn a lot during that time, so no matter how busy I am, I always want to stay close to my atelier.
Q Is there a ring you have made so far that has left a deep impression on you?
A Not long ago, I received a full order for a wedding band. The ring was engraved, and it took six months to complete after consulting with Abe of the Production Management Department and outside craftsmen on how to design the ring according to the customer's request.
We had many meetings with the customer, and the ring was completed after discussions with all the staff to make it better, so it left a very strong impression on me.
The other day, a customer from the early days of ith came in for maintenance. At the time, it was just a couple, but hearing that they now have two children made me realize how quickly time flies.
At ith, it is not just a "one-time" relationship where we custom-make engagement and wedding rings, but we also have customers who bring us photos after the wedding and customers who visit us every year for maintenance, and we get to see their family history afterwards. I think that is a very good job.
Q What does ith mean to you?
A ith is "an atelier that makes custom-made rings that customers really want.
We, the creators, face the customer, explore the possibilities through conversation, and clarify the customer's image of an ideal ring. The customer's image of the design will continue to grow as he or she talks with the maker.
We "work together" to create the ring that the customer truly desires. I believe that ith is the only place where this experience is possible.
Now that our business has expanded, many creators are struggling to create the ideal ring for our customers. I think it is important to be sincere in dealing with our customers and to offer them the ring knowledge I have acquired, so as a representative, I will continue to work hard to be a role model for other ring makers.
