Bridal Brand atelier ST,CAT Announces New Structure: Akiho Kano Appointed as New Director, Separating Management and Creative to Strengthen Business Growth.

Bridal brand atelier ST,CAT is pleased to announce the appointment of Akiho Kano as its new Creative Director (hereinafter, CD).

New Creative Director: Akiho Kano Representative Director: Seiko Hayashi

Background Since its founding, Representative Hayashi has been responsible for both brand management and creative oversight. However, with favorable business growth, strengthening a more strategic management foundation has become an urgent task for future business expansion. This organizational change aims to create an environment where Hayashi can concentrate on management and business development, while entrusting full creative authority to Kano, who has supported the brand's operations for many years, thereby further enhancing the brand's consistency and expressive power. As the new CD, Kano has been central to atelier ST,CAT since its inception as a designer and artisan. She will oversee the brand's overall creative direction with a fresh perspective, leveraging the experience gained through her craftsmanship.

About the Brand Combining materials, design, polishing, and options, we create "couple-like" designs that accompany life's transitions. We handcraft highly designed custom-made wedding and engagement rings, unconstrained by conventional values, at our in-house atelier located next to our Yoyogi Uehara store. Debuted in 2014 as a handmade brand by former fashion editor Seiko Hayashi. Started the wedding ring business in 2022 and transitioned to a specialized bridal brand in 2023. Our strength lies in the fusion of in-house atelier manufacturing and the design expertise cultivated through fashion jewelry. Our characteristic texture, which retains the subtle irregularities of handmade work, evokes "the unfinished space that expands into the couple's life." We are gaining support from a wide range of customers as a new option for wedding rings.

About the New Store New Store (with an attached atelier, similar to the main store. Design handled by MILESTONE, as with the main store) In late June 2025, atelier ST,CAT plans to open a new store specializing in engagement rings and diamond rings, located a 3-minute walk from its main store (Yoyogi Uehara). The design will be handled by MILESTONE, as with the main store. In addition to natural diamonds, we will also offer lab-grown diamonds, providing diverse options not only for engagement rings but also for anniversary jewelry. Details of the new store will be announced as soon as they are finalized.

atelier ST, CAT CABO uehara 205, 1-32-3 Uehara, Shibuya-ku 10:00-18:00, Closed Tuesdays *By appointment only [email protected]

Company Profile BH Long Co., Ltd. Representative Director: Seiko Ito (Hayashi) web: https://st-cat.com/ instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atelierstcat/

Inquiries regarding this release atelier ST,CAT Public Relations | [email protected]