Hideo Wakamatsu is a true believer in the basics of fine design. He believes that a good design delights the customer with a distinctly original mix of style, function, quality and cost - carefully balanced to the finest detail. Above all, he believes that the best designs come from earnest devotion to customers. To Hideo, this means treating customers as partners, listening well, and continuously innovating with them.

Uniquely, Hideo owns his own factories and takes an active role in ensuring that all of his products meet Japan's exacting standards of quality manufacture. He also owns over 70 retail stores in Japan and actively participates in their management. This gives Hideo an intimate understanding of manufacturing possibilities and customer wishes and permits him to innovate more practically and responsively than any other major designer. - www.hideostore.com