Welcome to the very first K-LOULUX Journal entry. I wanted to open this space for a simple reason: behind every piece that leaves my workshop, there's a story, a fabric choice, a night of work after a day at the office, an idea that matured for weeks before taking shape under the needle. This journal is where I will tell you all about it.
K-LOULUX was born from a double life. By day, I work in networks and telecommunications. In the evenings and on weekends, I sew, I design patterns, I imagine silhouettes. Two worlds that seem to have nothing in common, and yet feed each other: technical rigor on one side, creative freedom on the other.
The name K-LOULUX already embodies the entire philosophy of the workshop: to foster a dialogue between West African textile heritage — wax prints, basin riche, kente — and the precision and softness of Japanese craftsmanship. It's no coincidence that I live in Tokyo while keeping the colors and fabrics of my roots alive in my creations. Each piece, whether it's a reinterpreted kimono, a bespoke suit, or a dress designed from fabric scraps, tells the story of this encounter between two worlds.
I also sew a lot for my children, Kamila and Saliu — often, their outfits become the starting point for a new idea for the workshop. And if I'm honest, there's also something personal in this adventure: the desire to surprise those who haven't always believed in this project, by showing them, over time, what it truly becomes.
Every week, I will publish a new article here: behind-the-scenes of a creation, the story of a fabric, a sewing tip, or simply a reflection on this craft that I learn and love a little more each day. You can also find my creations in video format on my K-LOULUX YouTube channel, which has just started.
Thank you for being here for this first chapter. More to come very soon.
— Mbalou, founder of K-LOULUX
0 comments