Editor’s Letter
As Monocle starts a new chapter in the form of a new German printing house, our editor in chief Tyler Brûlé looks back at his editorial schooling in Hamburg.The opener
Dog-gone Brexit, food made for Instagram and ridiculous waist-high lanyard scanners – it’s no wonder we’re debating forgiveness.Cosy corner
Sculptor Gabriela von Habsburg is most relaxed when tending to her beloved sheep.Time served
Glasgow used to be a hotspot for violent crime – but an innovative approach to driving down the numbers seems to be working.Blooming marvellous
The much-loved cherry blossom season is big business in Japan. But when will it hit? To find out, a private weather forecaster employs all the tools at its disposal – including people power – to pinpoint the top petal potential.My cabinet
Zoos can change the world: the not-so-wild claim from Dominic Jermey, Zoological Society London’s top dog.Taking stock
For the past 12 years, Monocle has sought to use the best paper and printers – now they’re even better. So what’s changed and how does it work?
Calm before a storm
The president of Taiwan is softly spoken and unassuming but that hasn’t stopped her from ruffling a few feathers. We speak to her as she gears up for the 2020 election.Staying frosty
Without its hardy icebreakers, Finland would come to a frozen standstill. We hop aboard to find out how it’s done.Diplomacy briefing
The UK’s new ambassador to Brazil arrives just in time and Japan implements a new visa scheme.Politics briefing
Canada’s new ministerial position, Finland heads to the polls and campaigning in Indonesia.Defence Briefing
How a no-deal Brexit could affect UK security, Nato turns 70 and the US makes some big purchases.Cities briefing
Jakarta’s public transport is slow to take off, and Seattle and Seoul clear some way for public space.Fear game
How Brazil’s problems with violent crime led to a political swing to the right.
Nothing but the truth
From skateboarding in Illinois to covert filming in the suburbs of Damascus, documentary films are enjoying mass-market appeal – and cashing in at the box office too. We meet the genre’s talents.Space man
Tavares Strachan has an unusual CV: not many artists have trained as a cosmonaut.Writing rights
‘The Last Column’, a collection of final dispatches by journalists who have been killed in the line of duty, reminds us of the importance of a free press.Novel approach
A Japanese book distributor is espousing an unusual business model that sells not just books, but the bookshop experience itself, to bibliophiles and casual shoppers alike.The Ten
Are you experiencing Netflix fatigue? Do your Spotify playlists feel uninspired? Then it’s time to take charge. This month we launch our new guide to the unmissable films, series, art, books and records that should make for a satisfying – and more globally balanced – diet of cultural treats.
On balance
Bridges connect us. We meet the architects and engineers using them to brand cities, draw tourists and, of course, bring people together.Building a legacy
Rahm Emanuel is coming to the end of his second and final term as Chicago mayor. It hasn’t always been smooth sailing but his dedication to social-development projects and urban infrastructure is something to be celebrated. He reflects on a busy eight years.Complex life
How Whitlam Place in Melbourne eschews the cookie-cutter design of most new apartment complexes springing up in the fast-growing city.
Crunch time
Easter and Christmas may be the time for sugary treats but one Spanish town has hit a year-round sweet spot.Food & drink briefing
Food news from restaurant openings to saucy purchases – and a recipe to boot.Dough with the flow
US baking powerhouse The Manufactory is rising to the occasion with the opening of its vast new LA kitchen and restaurant.Naoki Takizawa
The fashion designer who oversees Uniqlo’s collaborations and makes outfits for Japan’s Empress Michiko, reveals how food – and a herbal remedy – has informed his work.
Let me be your fantasy
Jonathan Anderson, creative director at Loewe, talks about how he has grown the brand: from taking it outside to taking it slow.The spring manifesto
With the arrival of longer days, it’s the perfect time for a wardrobe edit – so let us introduce the brands, products and looks to savour this year. While we’re at it, we’ll put you in the know with the latest news from the industry.Texans in town
Dallas’s department-store stalwart Neiman Marcus and leading fashion boutique Forty Five Ten have rolled into the Big Apple with huge new spaces. It’s a bold move when bricks-and-mortar openings are a risk.Hit refresh
As the season changes, it’s time for a wardrobe update with clean, cool neutrals, and crisp colours.Back to bright
After years in the doldrums, beloved Italian brand Benetton is getting a spring in its step. Newly appointed artistic director Jean-Charles de Castelbajac is taking the company back to its roots with a welcome dose of pop – and a sprinkle of punk.Beauty contest
Chinese consumers can’t get enough of cosmetics, especially when it comes to high-end foreign brands. Hong Kong is benefitting from this insatiable demand and exploiting a loophole in China’s regulations.Refusing to buckle
Luxury watch brands gather in Geneva and prove that, despite digitisation, this is a strapping industry that’s dialling into the demands of a new generation.
Destination: Japan
A new chic hotel is set to revive Onomichi, a sleepy port town in Hiroshima prefecture flanked by hills and historic temples.Travel briefing
Turn the page for the latest hotel openings and travel news from around the globe. First we’re in the English city of Cambridge, where we visit a revitalised Edwardian grande dame.Happy returns
The directors of the Conde Duque Cultural Centre are among a wave of creatives returning to Madrid. They show us the city – and beyond.Shopping
Make tidying up a joy with beautiful organisers and accessories.Well heeled
For beautifully made, perfectly fitting shoes, this family-run atelier is the business.Counter proposals
Whether it’s an in-store workshop or just delightful service, it’s the experience that counts when it comes to shopping. Here are three great examples.The directory
Embrace Hong Kong’s enchanting neighbourhoods with our guide, covering everything from the city’s burgeoning art scene to its harbourside delights.
INAX
MonocleStoried beginnings and a fresh approach
Inax is Japan’s pioneering manufacturer of toilets, sinks, bathtubs, faucets and tiles. Founders Hatsunojo Ina and his son Chozaburo started their company (originally called Ina Seito) in 1924 in Tokoname, a traditional pottery town in central Japan. INAX’s global launch of two new collections at Milan Design Week showcases the brand’s Japanese heritage and craftsmanship, cutting-edge technologies, sublime design and uncompromising quality – elements that turn bathrooms into comfortable, relaxing spaces that improve people’s lives.
Design
Inax is reimagining bathroom design, creating relaxing, beautiful spaces. This is not achieved with a single product: comfort comes from a careful composition of toilets, bathtubs, wash basins, faucets and tiles. It’s a level of expertise that Inax has developed over nearly a century and through collaborations with top architects and designers.
Every Inax product is a balance of three values: essence, sophistication and thoughtfulness. The brand’s designers prioritise function, innovation and ease-of-use and strip out excess decoration. They also respect tradition and focus on quality and craftsmanship, paying particular attention to the way a product feels and is finished and how it will be used.
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Three basic shapes give Inax’s products their signature look.
Squoval
Part square, part oval, this shape incorporates both human and architectural elements, creating a connection between people and buildings.
Tension
Inspired by the curved surface of water, this gently sloping shape reflects light and adds dynamism. It is precise and beautiful but also functional: water naturally flows over it.
Volcano
This robust and elegant form intuitively guides users to its peak and has a surface that’s easy to clean.
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Chief design officer Paul Flowers talks to us about Inax’s global launch.
What was the design approach for the Inax launch?
Our task was to modernise the brand but still emphasise Japan’s cultural elements. We worked to embed a set of simple elements into our work with three basic shapes: squoval, tension and volcano. We also developed a culture of design-thinking, enforcing a consistent, detailed level of design that works on an objective level.
How is Japanese culture reflected in your products?
Our brand values are essence, sophistication and thoughtfulness. These really resonate with the cultural aspects of Japan and act as the guiding principle for everything we create – whether it’s a website, product packaging or an interaction with consumers.
What makes Inax unique?
We have a heritage of being a technology-led brand and we want to continue to lead with our technology. We created the world’s first-ever commercial shower toilet, which has a bigger consumer base than dishwashers in Japan. And we’ve got 100 years of knowledge of making ceramics – we provided the tiles for the design of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Imperial Hotel in Tokyo.
What are some key design elements, technologies and manufacturing processes?
The Inax blue colour is a strong brand element. When you turn on the shower or flush the toilet, the Inax blue appears to let you know that the water is flowing. You will see it in all of our products. In a number of products, we use what we call “intelligent control”. It’s a unique shower valve that allows you to control the volume of water and reduce consumption. We also consider the spray; the way the water comes out is unique. These are human-centric features – we don’t use technology needlessly. What we try to do with our technology is ask, “What is the human benefit?”
Are there differences in bathing cultures between Japan and the west?
Japanese people bathe at a higher temperature than those in the west. In onsen (hot spring) bathing houses they clean themselves before they get into the tub, even at home. But there are challenges to taking it global – such as universal design and ecology – that our designers can tackle while examining different demographics and weighing the needs of elderly and young people.