Dr. Hauschka — Komorebi

Komorebi

Photography & Art Direction Stefan Dotter
Model Riko Shuri Monma Assistant Riko Mei Miller

Make-up by Dr. Hauschka

An etymological investigation of the Japanese word “komorebi” revelas three key elements that lends insight to its definition: 木 (ko), 漏れ (more), and 日 (bi). The first kanji 木 represents “tree”; 漏れ is the stem of the verb “moreru”, which means to leak out or come through; and 日 is day or sunlight.

Correctly interpreted “komorebi” means “the sunlight shining through the trees”. But “komorebi” is about the feeling, not just the image or sight. For speakers of Japanese, the word evokes a beautiful, warm and silent mental image of a natural setting, with sparkling rays of sunlight dispelling the shadows cast by trees.

The work of German jewellery designer Saskia Diez first found success in Japan, and eventually all around the world. Her work intimates the Japanese understanding of design, aesthetics and quality, which is often characterised by minimalism and simplicity. For her recent collaboration with Dr. Hauschka, her approach and philosophy joined with with the strong values of the cosmetics brand seamlessly to create an Illuminating Fluid as a collaborative product.

Dr. Hauschka’s philosophy has to do with essence — the absence of noise. Saskia Diez once said that to her “beauty has a lot to do with an underlying coherence. Something that shines through a surface — and this can be very different every time”. With these words resonating in his mind, photographer Stefan Dotter ventured into a forest nearby Tokyo with painter Riko Shuri Monma, to capture “komorebi” and translate the sentiments of this collaboration in his own personal way.