The Miniaslim Master, Hirotaka
Hi! Do you mind introducing yourself?
I’m Hirotaka Inoue, a Japanese jewelry designer and the founder of Hirotaka. I design and develop the collections in Tokyo, and the brand made its debut in New York in 2010. My work is often inspired by the quiet beauty of nature and the unexpected forms you begin to notice when you slow down and observe the world carefully.
Where are you currently?
Tokyo is my base, but as I’m writing this I’m on Iriomote Island in Okinawa, one of the last truly wild places in Japan. Being surrounded by dense rainforest and untouched landscapes always reminds me how much design can come simply from observing nature.
How did you arrive at creating your line?
Before launching my own brand, I spent years developing concepts and product lines in the world of high jewelry. Later, I began creating bespoke pieces in Tokyo. At some point I felt a strong desire to explore the world of fashion fine jewelry, something more expressive and contemporary. I wanted to challenge myself, and New York felt like the right place to debut the collection.
What are three words that best describe the brand?
It might be slightly longer than three words, but I would say: organic, modern, and designed for layering. Many Hirotaka pieces are created to be stacked and combined, mixing gold, silver, asymmetry, and different forms so the final style is completed by the wearer.
What does a typical work day look like for you?
I don’t really follow a typical studio routine. My process is less about sitting at a desk and more about traveling, observing, and collecting impressions. Ideas often appear when I’m walking through nature, exploring a city, or noticing how light interacts with objects.
What about jewelry is so exciting to work with?
Jewelry is incredibly intimate. It lives directly on the body and becomes part of someone’s daily life. I’m fascinated by how a small object can hold emotion, memory, and personal identity.
Who is your ultimate jewelry muse?
I don’t really have a specific muse. For me, the most powerful source of creativity is observing nature carefully: plants, shells, insects, textures, and the way forms evolve organically in the natural world.
Do you have a favorite stone?
I love working with colored stones, particularly cabochon-cut emeralds and corundum stones. Semi-precious materials like onyx and agate expand the language of design in a different way.
What is your favorite piece available at Broken English?
The Puncture collection holds a very personal significance for me. It embodies a refined sense of elegance while carrying a subtle, rebellious punk spirit beneath the surface. These earrings introduce a new way of wearing jewelry: inserted from behind the ear, creating an unexpected and sensual silhouette. Hirotaka jewelry is never meant to be worn alone. It is designed for layering, for contrast with mixing silver and gold, embracing asymmetry, and building a composition that feels uniquely yours. Each piece becomes complete only when combined with others, creating a quiet yet powerful statement.
Is there anything new and exciting you have coming up?
I’m continuing to explore new variations of the Puncture collection and Spear style earrings, with a focus on refined compositions and sculptural silhouettes. I’m also drawn to combining these forms with silver, while expanding into more expressive territory through semi-precious stones such as agate and lapis lazuli. The process is fluid, intuitive, and continuously evolving.
Best place to find inspiration?
Nature, especially places that still feel untouched.
Best soundtrack for designing?
Minimalist music or atmospheric film scores. Something that creates space rather than taking attention.
Best book you’ve read lately?
Seeing Things by Joel Meyerowitz
Best movie or show you’ve watched recently?
“In the Mood for Love” by Wong Kar-wai. I revisit it often. The mood, color, and restraint are endlessly inspiring.
Best way to wind down after a busy season?
Going somewhere remote, spending time in nature, and letting my senses reset.
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