About Lille og Stor

Lille og Stor is a Tokyo-based creative studio founded by Jun and Yaco Yoshikane in 2013, with a focus on connecting people with nature and improving lifestyle and learning environments through simple, beautiful, and sustainable designs. The name "Lille og Stor," meaning "small and big" in Danish, reflects their philosophy of considering both children and adults in their designs. Inspired by Scandinavian living spaces, their products aim to enrich everyday environments and promote learning and development by creating functional, aesthetically pleasing, and sustainable tools.

A key aspect of Lille og Stor's design philosophy is their use of natural cowhides, embracing their unique imperfections such as scratches, wrinkles, and uneven colors as these expose the lived life of the animal just "like us humans." The studio rejects mass production processes (sometimes called "thick makeup") that eliminate these natural features, choosing instead to honor the material's authenticity and individuality. By using leather from cows raised for food consumption that would otherwise be discarded, they aim to respect the natural cycle of life and waste. Over time, with use, the leather develops a deeper color, making each item more unique and personal to its owner. Through this approach, Lille og Stor hopes to foster an appreciation for nature and the value of imperfection in everyday objects.