MATSU

Celebrate fashion night with Nirva; on the evening prior to my Paris departure.

Oh how lucky I am. Here it is, the midst of Boston's Fashion Week... We celebrate fashion. I think this week should be extended for the year!  Maybe this way all women would dare to dress for fun, and for the heck of expressing their inner inhibitions. Sort of why Halloween is so popular. We all can "act out " by dressing up as we normally would not. I am all for self expression, and provoking what is within. I have said this many times before. 

Tonight, Nirva celebrated this in an array of gorgeous fabrics, textures colors, draping, and wonderful embellishments in the hair, belts and applied directly on the clothing, in some cases.

The venue; Mizu was provocative backdrop for the 28 different looks that Nirva portrayed as her Spring 2010 looks. Absolutely divine. The Music, the lighting, the models and the crowd. All well received. I was so proud of her, and very happy to have been a part of this audience. It took me completely out of the notion that Boston has, generally of being staunchly fashion wise.  Not true!  Nirva proved this tonight, and I would like to think that I do the same daily at Matsu.  Don't be afraid to visit us ! It is so good for your mind, heart, body and soul .

This fashion show came at a time while I am preparing to leave for Paris. I am so glad that I had the break tonight to see such wonderful sights. Internally, I have been prepping for this trip. Busy closing loose ends, you know making sure my passport is in check.. Automobile registration renewal, etc. You know, all that mundane stuff that Virgos are good at organizing.

What is it about Autumn that inspires us to do so many things in our life that  can make room for more? With the abundance that comes with this season, cooking becomes a heart warmed project leading us into the indoors, and nurturing our lives in ways that the summer doesn't.  Roasted squash, mushrooms,  pumpkin pies,  artichokes. This season's produce is so inspiring. We have shortened days with less light, bringing the opportunity to burn more candles and set a theme, mood and ambiance within our own environments. I just love this season. Maybe it's because this is my birth season. Who knows? 

As I prepare for leaving for Paris, I sit with gratitude for everything that my life has provided, along with the all the people who have touched my heart in it. Prior to leaving on this flight I always reflect, sit quietly and thank everyone that makes life so rich, and those who inspire me. This in turn, provides a foundation for me to do the same .

I leave you all knowing how perfect we all are just as we are, and hope that you read my blog entries. You silently do excite me to write. I know it's not grammatically correct all the time, but if I can relay my feelings and thoughts to you through this, then I feel golden and I have accomplished something very endearing.

See you when I return . Fully more enriched, I assume. I will approach this trip with both retail knowledge and artisan naivety.. how innocent. What a way to breathe and to receive what comes next.

 

Until then,

I remain yours in joy

Dava

Announcement: The arrival and birth of Nymph; my new jewelry creation.

nymph; - noun one of a numerous class of lesser deities of mythology, conceived of as beautiful maidens inhabiting the sea, rivers, woods, trees, mountains, meadows etc.

Hence, the word chosen for the collection of jewelry I have designed and created. 

 

Not without technical and otherwise, assistance and guidance from my adorable sister, however;  thank god for Celeste.The formal announcement goes something like this:

Boston- Matsu owner Dava Muramatsu announces the debut of her new line of jewelry, Nymph.

Specially designed by Dava (that's me. ) Nymph is a tribal inspired collection  of necklaces, bracelets and earrings made from precious and semi-precious stones, vintage gold, silver, beads and relics. The Nymph collection evokes sacred ethnic pieces worn to adorn, protect and invoke sensual and spiritual elements.

The stones in the collection are from tones of the earth: emeralds, pearls, and diamonds both raw and refined, along with labradorite, Afghan black, deep green and emerald jade, spinel, smokey topaz, , 18k gold nuggets accenting muted tones of heishi carved beads.. Each stone, bead and relic has a sensuality to it. some are hand carved, some rough hewn or raw.  I have combined these beads, and stones, most of which are very subtle in appearance  to the naked eye, into what I would love to think as being visually compelling into strikingly sophisticated designs that I feel to be romantic, organic and sexy. Not to mention a bit eccentric.

 

I created Nymph out of a desire to express feelings through jewelry that were unavailable. I scouted, searched and found vintage metals, stones, and findings from sources from Japan, Europe, Afghanistan, and India. Each piece is unique and one of a kind created by my instincts, my intuition and my inner soul. I find this collection to be contemporary with history. Ancient with a slight fresh provocativeness.

The Nymph collection will be available  at Matsu the week of September 10th. 2009.  I look forward to your visit to view this collection and all the rest of our new arrivals for Autumn.

Yours in joy,

Dava Muramatsu

 

The Journey is the Reward

Class of 2009. The whole education cycle flew by. Faster than I can even imagine. It honestly seems like a couple weeks ago Aya was waiting for the Kindergarten bus... Oh, that's right, she went to Montessori Kindergarten.. Excuse me. First grade bus. Never-mind. It is all a blur nearly. The little worm turns butterfly in a matter of minutes it seems.

We moved to the rural suburbs from the city of Boston so that she could attend the public schools. Check. Too bad we didn't realize how focused they would be on sports of all kinds.  We were in the minority.  I have a ballerina ~ dancer. As long as the expression is there, and in our case, we took the challenging way out with regards to transportation to her out of school activities. Driving her to dance. No car pooling opportunity for us. I am thrilled that we stuck with it. Aya's dad and I supported her all through out her school life with dancing. She consequently is going to major in this field at a wonderful private college in New York City. Right smack in the middle of Manhattan. How exciting for us. New York and not California. 

 

The thought of Aya leaving in the first place is rather devastating. You see, having had a career first prior to having a child alters our way of thinking. Rather than most people, we are not thrilled about the empty nest syndrome. Why ? Perhaps because she is our one and only, or maybe because of the delay that existed prior to her birth. Not intentionally, it is just the way of our life, and the timing the universe provided.

The kids all think this is the end. Yes the end of one cycle, yet the beautiful beginning of another. They have no idea how large their potential oyster can be. I suppose being on the outside and older, with this life experience of my own, comes wisdom. I am so happy for her class of 450 graduates. The potential that lies ahead is thrilling.

I didn't cry. I shed a few tears but the celebration was actually such a positive high energy ceremony, that even for me, I surprised my self. I didn't even use one kleenex from the prepared pile I had "just in case".

I share with you a few photos from Senior Prom, ( short dresses is the trend) Graduation Party and the Graduation ceremony. This sequence of events have been where my energy has been the past several weeks, with the climax Monday, June 8th 2009 with the actual ceremony.

The group photo of the daughters and the mothers are Aya's best friend Jess, and her mom ( along with Aya and myself) at Nashawtuc Country Club as we had a joint celebration with live goldfish as table centerpieces and all... What fun.

Enjoy your children each breathing moment. Smile and relish the growth process. It does move fast. Once it is over, regret about anything is the last sense you wish to have, so be in the moment as much as you can.  Just being conscious of it will certainly help.

For Aya, her Dad and I, what the future holds for her is now all up to her and her own heart and where she allows her head to travel, by listening to her heart at all times. We now are only hear to guide her.The foundation has been laid. Her morals, and the standards she takes with her will be her guide for the the rest of her life.

Best of Luck, Linclon Sudbury Class of 2009!

 

These are a few of my favorite things !

Once upon a time there was a girl.  She loved to fantasize. In fact she loved it so much that she decided she would create a way to share them . Her love for life was all she needed to cultivate the means in which to express her passions.  Through her senses she could cultivate this very expression. What seemed liked fantasy became reality to her. How ?  Matsu !   A museum like gallery housed at 259 Newbury St. This boutique became her oasis. Here, she could play in the dirt, planting nature outdoors, nurture the plants and flowers that are indoors, and choose clothing, jewelry, sandals, handbags, scarves and wonderful vases.  Something for every aspect of her life.

In order to fulfill her internal wishes lead by her heart, she traveled around to Europe, and also right here in the United States to discover designers that spoke to her . Anyone can practically open a boutique, but aah, not with the   soul, complexity and layers of history, texture, color and nature would one find anything quite like this.

The husband and wife team of Jamin Puech have developed their line of bags this season, which have just arrived from Paris based on an African/Tribal sensibility.  Absolutely outstanding. The craftsmanship, the function and the intricacy all wrapped up in this collection. Shown here are a few samples of this.  More in the shop.

Stefano Mortari, known in Italy for their knit . This fantasy child discovers  the scarf and tunic pieces created in Tulle with chips of metal carefully stitched on the fabric to enhance her Spring collection at Matsu. Exclusively imported from Italy, this tight collection can enhance an outfit, or just fulfill any whim that you may not even be aware of.

 

All so rich and tempting.  Yes, that is what I was told. I am a temptress. I love to provoke. I love to inspire. I love to trigger. I love to push the envelope. I now wish to tempt YOU! In honor of this, I am holding a party from 5 ~8 on Tuesday, May 5th.  Beyond Temptation. The invite below. If you dare to fulfill your own fantasy, please RSVP.  I will live by my words, you will see. Shocking?  No, just true to my heart and living in my fantasy.

Yours, in true fantasy,

Dava

Let's Play !

I took a big internal risk on Thursday. Huge. I wore Ivory. I felt like a frothy confection. I felt like a swan. I felt light and happy.  I seemed to have inspired smiles on anyone that walked by me. ( of course, with my modest nature, I didn't notice; my friend told me!)  We attended a Fashion Show at Nieman Marcus. In Natick. The venue is not that far for me, but to see all the familiar faces here was refreshing ! I thought the show was well executed. Not enough drama with the lighting, for my taste but I prefer theatrical productions. I just loved the energy here though.

I was inspired  to have a party !  a Matsu Spring Fling Party.  Yup. on May 5th, we shall celebrate the arrival of the long awaited season. Rebirth, New growth, new outlooks and a fresh start. The Matsu Spring Fling at 259 Newbury St. from 6~8.  We will be sending an Save the date e mail blast . Hope you can come, and be sure to RSVP.

I also would like to announce the re appearance of our Lapland Bracelet Collection. New colors, new designs and a very healthy presentation to choose from.. Back by popular requests ! See the photo below. Just a tease. We have designs for both men and women. The balance of our Faliero Sarti Scarves have also just arrived. Beautifully embroidery, colors and as usual, the organic texture. A wonderful staple and accent to enhance a stale feeling outfit, day or mood.

Hope to see you all very soon !

Yours in Spirit,

Dava Muramatsu

The dead of winter, with bright horizons on the way

We must all be wondering how and why we are all in this together,  Those of us living in New England, anyway. The quiet, the lull and the chill brings us all indoors, as well as mentally hibernating. This is the time to reflect, as I have mentioned in my last blog. But not only that, once the crocus begin to bloom, we shall begin to soar into the next season. Spring. Not yet. For the moment being in the exact moment is the healthiest thing we can do. It takes practice. I know. Breathing will help. But the thing to really remember is the beauty that the Winter Season brings us.  A fire can become a mystery, and hypnotic when the flames induce thought and a meditation of sorts. Enjoy it. Relish in it. Those of you fortunate enough to have a fire place, take advantage of it. Use it for a heat source, and maybe even a place of peace and inspiration.  Take note where your mind goes with the fire in front of you. Soothing. I am sure.

On the opposite end of this spectrum, a dichotomy, in the season, is the ice, which can really be treacherous while walking from one destination to another . But the presentation that nature provides, if captured, as I have done  is absolutely stunning.  These icicles are relentless. Their beauty can not be reproduced to this capacity. In their clarity, they proclaim themselves to be steadfast and proud. Their life is usual short lived, but this Winter, longer than usual. I was able to capture them, and they are still living, their form alters from day to day depending on the temperature, but we all take them for granted. I decided to highlight them in this post. A miracle, kind of !

I am about to combine an icicle and the fire . Sounds nuts, I know , but as you can see in the photo below, it does just that. I just returned from the International Gift Fair in New York City. I discovered these little gems in a jeweler's booth. I have the vases with me, and they will be available at Matsu within a week or so. They are one of a kind, and can not be reproduced. I love that. I became addicted to their shape, and colors. Both reflecting the 2 topics I discussed above. Fire and Ice. Their colors are that of fire, yet their shape are some what similar to an upside down icicle!  Am i right ? This designer also does jewelery that combines glass on sterling, and gold fill.. We will also be carrying them at Matsu soon.

Most of you have heard of Eastern Accent. Many of you may have known me from this name. This was the store that was established back in 1980. Matsu is a spin off from this little shop that brought hope to Newbury Street way back then. Eastern Accent still exists, but is run by my partner, and imports wonderful merchandise exclusively from Japan. You may know some of the products, but below, I would like to share the front of our booth at the Accent on Design Show, aka the New York Gift Fair.

This quiet time is a time to replenish from the last year, and to generate for the one up comming. Breathe, and bask in the abundance.. remember, not the lack.  Love yourself, and those around you.

See you soon.

Yours, In Joy,

Dava Muramatsu