Interview: Ami Asano of Bunon

Interview: Ami Asano of Bunon

January 07, 2025

An interview with Bunon’s founder on their journey, inspirations, and commitment to ethical craftsmanship.

Photos by @masahamanoi and @gris.site

CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND AND WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO START BUNON?

I began designing for Bunon after 15 years of experience working as a designer and buyer for several Japanese brands. Bunon is a collaborative brand that brings together the traditions of India and Japan. It all began when my husband, who is now the director of Bunon, fell in love with the beautiful handloom textiles sent to us by our partner in India, Soumitra. Soumitra is a true expert in India’s handloom textile traditions.

We launched Bunon in 2019 with the vision of creating a brand that fused the craftsmanship and artistry of India with Japanese design sensibilities. At that time, I had just given birth to my son and was spending a lot of time at home. I knew I wanted to start something new, and the timing felt almost miraculous. That’s how Bunon was born.

WHAT INSPIRES YOU?

Everyday life inspires me. I find beauty in small, fleeting moments that happen each day. Inspiration often comes by chance, and I like to nurture it with imagination—like planting a seed and watching it grow. These moments eventually find their way into my designs.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY?

The memory that stays with me the most is my first visit to Paris when I was 19. It was nighttime, raining, and I was looking out the taxi window at the raindrops and the city lights. The beauty of that moment left a lasting impression on me, and it continues to inspire me to this day.

DESCRIBE YOUR FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A DAY.

May I share my favorite moment of the day instead? It’s at night, watching my little son sleeping peacefully. He’s always so full of energy during the day, but this quiet moment—seeing him dreaming in bed—is the most relaxing and joyful moment in the universe for me.

IF YOU COULD DRESS ANYONE (REAL PERSON FROM THE PAST, PRESENT, OR A FICTIONAL CHARACTER), WHO WOULD IT BE?

I’ve always dreamed of dressing brides—and their bridesmaids, too! I would love to create pieces for an entire group of happy, glowing women on such a special day.

IS THERE ANYTHING SPECIFIC YOU WANT YOUR CUSTOMERS TO KNOW ABOUT YOU OR YOUR BRAND?

Through Bunon, I want to share joy. No matter where you are or what challenges you face, you have the power to choose what to wear each day. I hope Bunon can be part of that choice—something that brings you a little happiness.

I also want people to know about our commitment to ethical production in India. We work to preserve traditional crafts, minimize waste, and maintain direct relationships with the artisans who bring our designs to life. We share thoughts and ideas with these talented craftspeople, and it’s truly a collaborative effort.

It would be wonderful to connect with more like-minded people who share these values. We are so grateful that one of those people is Suchandra at Soochie—thank you for being part of our journey!


Shop Bunon