Message soap, in time

Message soap, in time

Client: Lalitpur
Design Company: Takram
Creative Direction, Concept & Copywriting: Kotaro Watanabe
Art Direction & Design: Kotaro Yamaguchi
Co-Art Direction & Design: Renee Verhoeven, Cédric Carêmel, Eri Nishihara, Shohei Hasegawa, Yuri Okada (ex-Takram)
Web Design & Coding: Eri Nishihara, Shohei Hasegawa
Photo: Yosuke Suzuki (erz)
Co-Creative Direction & Copywriting: Mai Mukaida (Lalitpur, edited)
Country: Japan

"Message Soap, in time" is a gift product, hand-crafted by Nepalese women, who are former victims of human-trafficking. It was conceived and designed as a joint project between Lalitpur and Takram.

The gift first appears in the form of a traditional handcrafted bar of facial and body soap, with scent of juniper berry and palm rose. Over time, as the receiver uses it in a shower room, a message on a canvas slip slowly appears from within. Finally, the moment comes when this personal message can be read – poignantly, when one's body and soul are both naked and open to heartfelt words.

The gift is received in an elegant package with a wax seal. Akin to an envelope, it hints at a letter-like experience, allowing one to appreciate the slow passage of time: for a sender, waiting to hear from the receiver in a while, and for the receiver, to eventually discover a warm message – neither of which knowing exactly when it will arrive.

There are seven types of messages, varying from love letters, thank-you notes, to birthday celebrations, all of which no one knows if they will arrive on time.

“in time” is a gift range with a theme of message-giving and care for others, and Message Soap, is its first product. Takram devised and realised the concept, product planning, art and creative direction of the entire range. The product was launched in March 2016, and is now available online and in several select shops in Tokyo."