As the cherry blossoms hit peak bloom in Japan last spring, Gucci was just touching down in Tokyo en route to visit our brushmaking studios and meet the artisans behind the handcrafted tools. A 14-hour flight, two bullet trains, and a cab journey later, she arrived in the quiet town of Kumano. Renowned as the makeup brush capital of the world, here, one of the oldest and most prestigious artisans helms a family-run business that holds itself to the highest standards when producing Westman Atelier's custom collection.
Harnessing centuries of ancestral "fude" knowledge—the art of traditional Japanese calligraphy—every single brush is carefully constructed and hand-inspected by the founder himself before it arrives at your doorstep. "That's the biggest difference with your brushes," Gucci tells Mr. Takamoto after observing his level of care, "The application is much more delicate, refined, and precise."
Throughout the visit, Gucci witnessed each step of the manufacturing process, from how the cruelty-free bristles get shaped to how the shorter wooden handles are assembled for ultimate control. It’s that true extension of artistry and craftmanship that make our brushes hold up beautifully over the years, says Gucci, while elevating your makeup application to new heights. "You've seen the work that goes into every single brush—the level of detail is unmatched!"
The Westman Atelier Brush Collection
Watch the full video to learn more and shop our brushes, including the new Petite Brush Collection now on Westman-Atelier.com.
