To commemorate Issey Miyake’s 45th anniversary in 2015, the Miyake Design Studio revisited the visual language of the Pleats Please sushi advertising campaign designed by Taku Satoh in 2008. Inspired by the tradition of enjoying sushi as a celebratory meal in Japan, the team transformed Satoh's concept into a tangible object. In Satoh’s own words, "All the keywords of Pleats Please also apply to sushi, Japan’s first 'fast food.' Easy. Shrinkable. Portable. Playful. Diverse. Colorful. Japan."

Launched in February 2015, the sushi pieces came presented in a traditional wooden box and unfolded to reveal hidden functions: the Tamago & Maguro Nigiri transforms into mini pouches, the Uni & Ikura Gunkan unfolds into a drawstring pouch, and the Maguro & Cucumber Maki becomes pleated ribbon accessories that double as headbands.

In conjunction with the anniversary, the Sushi collection was later presented in 'Arts & Foods: Rituals Since 1851', an exhibition held at La Triennale di Milano as part of Expo Milano 2015. Running from April through November, the exhibition explored the deep connection between food, art, design, and the rituals surrounding eating, preparing, and sharing food.

Curated by Germano Celant, 'Arts & Foods' examined how food has influenced creativity across cultures and generations, tracing its relationship with human expression from the first Universal Exposition in 1851 to the present day. Spanning approximately 7,000 square metres, the exhibition transformed La Triennale into an immersive archive of food culture, presenting over 2,000 works including art, furniture, fashion, objects, films, photographs, and installations from museums, foundations, collectors, and artists around the world. 

Rather than viewing food simply as a necessity, the exhibition explored its wider cultural impact through objects, spaces, and experiences, from domestic environments such as kitchens and dining rooms to broader themes such as eating on the move, airline catering, food in space, and the influence of food on fashion, architecture, and pop culture.

Alongside 'Sushi', Issey Miyake also presented 'Bakery'. Rendered using the same Pleats Please pleating treatment, the collection translated pastries into wearable garments, with arm warmers, a vest, and a stole that fold into the shapes of donuts, cake, and a croissant when not in use.

While these pieces occasionally surface through secondary market listings, the original context behind these genius pieces of design history is often overlooked. Itadakemasu!