Design fans adore Muji, whose 8,000-plus products – ranging from pencil cases and elastic hairbands to cars, campsites and even houses – espouse a “no brand” look, and deliver high quality at a reasonable price point. The company’s most devoted shoppers have even earned the nickname Mujiers.
Since its founding in 1980, the retailer has also been committed to finding new ways of tapping a socially conscious ethos, through fair trade, sustainability and recycling. So, it’s not surprising that it also sources traditional craftsmanship from around the globe.
The most recent example of this is its carefully appointed collection of household items produced by Spanish and Portuguese artisans. The project, titled Found Muji Iberia, was curated by furniture and interior designers Cutu Mazuelos and Eva Prego, both of Madrid’s Stone Designs. The duo spent two years determining the final selection of products manufactured by small factories found within the Iberian Peninsula region.
The collection, for sale at select Muji shops across Japan until October 24, includes jars made from recycled glass by Vidrios San Miguel of Valencia, and red clay pots handmade by Artesanía Moreno León of Cáceres. Also in the mix are aluminum cooking pots by Portugal’s Mardouro and grass mats by Espartería de Juan Sánchez.