A Four-Month Design Odyssey

2024.08.17Aileen Lee

A Four-Month Design Odyssey

Hello! It's Aileen, the creator and designer of Vestige here.

I'm about to embark on a 4-month design journey across Asia.

Running Vestige for the past 9 years has been an incredible experience, despite the slow growth. I’ve come to understand some of my entrepreneurial weaknesses (if I can even call myself that), but it’s been rewarding to evolve alongside my brand.

One silver lining of running a small business with such a tiny operation is the flexibility it offers.

Now I am challenging myself with an even more ambitious journey, and I'd like to take on the opportunity to push my creativity further and make new things that add value to the community.

This trip will be all about design inspiration. I’ll be immersing myself in culture, scenery, and street fashion, with the goal of creating pieces that are truly unique and timeless—things we genuinely need. In a world already overflowing with stuff, I’m committed to only creating things that add value.

What would you like to see from my upcoming journey?

A vast farm field in Hokkaido, Japan, is flooded with water for irrigation. The sun reflects off the water's surface, creating a serene, mirror-like effect. Rows of young green crops peek through the water, bordered by distant mountains under a clear blue sky, showcasing the beauty of rural Hokkaido.

A minimalist apartment building in Sapporo, Japan, features clean, straight lines and a uniform tonal beige color. The facade is simple yet elegant, with evenly spaced windows and balconies adding subtle texture. The building's design emphasizes simplicity and calm, blending harmoniously with the surrounding urban landscape under a soft, overcast sky.

A vibrant flower field in Hokkaido, Japan, bursts with budding poppies in shades of red, pink, orange, and white. The delicate blooms sway gently in the breeze, their bright colors contrasting against the lush green foliage. The field stretches toward the horizon, creating a picturesque, colorful landscape under a clear sky.

A serene Airbnb room in Hokkaido, Japan, features a minimalist design with low wooden bed frames that emphasize simplicity and tranquility. The clean lines of the furniture and natural wood tones create a warm, cozy atmosphere. Soft lighting and uncluttered decor enhance the peaceful ambiance, inviting rest and relaxation.

A vast lavender field in Hokkaido, Japan, displays rows of vibrant purple blooms stretching towards the horizon. The fragrant flowers contrast beautifully with the lush green forest in the background. The field gently slopes, leading the eye to the dense trees, creating a peaceful, harmonious landscape under a clear blue sky.

A beautiful lavender field in Hokkaido, Japan, showcases rows of blooming purple flowers that extend toward the horizon. In the background, majestic mountains rise, their peaks softened by a gentle mist. The vibrant lavender contrasts with the rugged mountain landscape, creating a breathtaking, serene scene under a clear, expansive sky.

Shirogane Blue Pond in Hokkaido, Japan, displays strikingly bright blue water that appears exceptionally tranquil. The pond's vivid color, caused by natural mineral deposits, contrasts beautifully with the surrounding lush greenery and sparse trees. The serene, mirror-like surface of the water enhances the peaceful and captivating natural landscape.

A cliffside house in Hokkaido, Japan, boasts large windows that frame an endless stretch of ocean. Inside, a minimal brown leather armchair sits near the window, inviting quiet reflection. The expansive view of the blue sea contrasts with the cozy, warm tones of the chair, creating a serene and contemplative atmosphere.

Sunset seen at the Cliff House in Ishikari, Hokkaido -- with a bright red sun that is iconic of Japan.

Scenes from a road trip in Hokkaido, Japan (2023).