LVMH Métiers d’Art Presents Exhibition Exploring Washi’s Role in the Future of Luxury

LVMH Métiers d’Art will present a new exhibition dedicated to the evolving possibilities of Japanese washi paper at its Paris showroom “La Main (The Hand),” continuing its broader initiative to spotlight exceptional Japanese craftsmanship on a global stage.

Summary

Titled “WASHI – the art of crafting paper, where tradition unlocks innovation,” the exhibition serves as the second chapter of “Métiers d’Art du Japon,” a project exploring the artistic and cultural legacy of Japanese artisanal techniques. The exhibition will run from May 28 through June 3, 2026, with public access scheduled for May 30.

Long embedded within Japanese culture for more than a thousand years, washi has historically been used across calligraphy, architecture, interiors, and decorative arts. Today, however, the material is undergoing a new phase of transformation. Through innovations such as washi yarns, hybrid material compositions, foil treatments, and digital applications, washi is increasingly being reimagined within fashion, textiles, interiors, packaging, and contemporary design.

The Paris exhibition examines both the cultural significance and industrial potential of washi through the lens of LVMH Métiers d’Art’s global network of artisans and manufacturers. Specially commissioned works developed in collaboration with Japanese and international artists, ateliers, and brands will be presented throughout the exhibition, highlighting the dialogue between traditional handcraft techniques and modern material experimentation.

Among the featured participants is Japanese paper artist Eriko Horiki, whose large-scale washi artworks have become internationally recognized for merging architectural scale with handcrafted techniques. New works created by finalists from the first edition of “KOGEI ARTISTS LEAGUE,” an initiative supporting emerging craft talent backed by Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, will also be exhibited as part of a special washi-themed competition.

Supported by the Kyoto Prefectural Government, the exhibition additionally brings together artisans and manufacturers connected to the Kyoto and Tango regions, presenting contemporary interpretations of regional craftsmanship traditions through collaborative design and material innovation.

The exhibition further expands into product and textile development, showcasing contemporary applications of washi across fashion and lifestyle sectors. Visitors will be able to experience materials such as silk washi and hemp washi, alongside experimental cross-craft developments combining traditional paper-making techniques with industrial production methods.

Japanese fashion brand SOSHIOTSUKI, recipient of the “LVMH Prize 2025,” will present designs developed using innovative materials inspired by washi. The exhibition will also feature leather treatments developed by partner tanneries that reinterpret the texture and visual qualities of Japanese paper, expanding the concept of washi beyond materiality into a broader design philosophy.

Participating artists and companies include HOSOO, Wajima Kirimoto, Mizuno, Kuska Fabric, SIWA KOUZO, Shoyeido, Domyo, and MIKITYPE, among others, spanning fields such as textiles, craft, interiors, sportswear, incense, and contemporary art.

Founded in 2015, LVMH Métiers d’Art operates as a global network supporting specialized craftsmanship and sustainable manufacturing across the luxury supply chain. The division works across leather, textiles, metalwork, printing, and exotic materials, partnering with suppliers and manufacturers throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, and the United States.

In Japan, the group established LVMH Métiers d’Art Japan in 2022 and later formed its first Japanese partnership with Okayama-based denim manufacturer KUROKI in 2023.

More broadly, the exhibition reflects a growing shift within the luxury sector, where traditional craftsmanship is increasingly being reconsidered not only as heritage preservation, but as a source of future-facing innovation. Positioned between art, sustainability, material science, and design, “WASHI” explores how one of Japan’s oldest materials continues to evolve within an international creative landscape.

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