KIRI is a minimalist cabinet designed by Munich-based studio Diez Office for MEETEE. This collection of wooden cabinets was driven by the designers’ curiosity for Japanese craftsmanship and a deep friendship with Meetee’s art director Jin Kuramoto. They started this very special collaboration with Meetee in the summer of 2016 during a camping trip on the Izu Islands. In Japan, paulownia is a type of wood also known as the “princess tree”. It was once customary to plant a paulownia when a baby girl was born, so that it could later be crafted into a dresser as a wedding present when she married. Paulownia continues to be used for traditional kimono storage furniture due to its humidity balancing features, its ultra-lightness and stability. The textile hinges were inspired by a traditional urushi lacquering technique, which the designers discovered during my visit. It involves the use of woven textiles as a base for the lacquer.