©Takeshi Sumi
The exhibition “Dégagé The Visual & Story Archive” by ballet wear brand unoa was held at GARDE Gallery in Aoyama, Tokyo.
Guided by the concept “Your spirit dances with joy,” unoa offers a range of wear from simple, timeless pieces to boldly expressive designs. From children who enjoy ballet as a hobby to professional dancers performing on the world stage, unoa creates wear that supports everyone who loves ballet. Through an integrated production process at its own atelier, the brand achieves both ease of movement and graceful lines.
Dancewear that beautifully showcases the body, uplifts the spirit, and transforms the atmosphere.
Creative Director Hiroko Unosawa shared in an interview:
“The ‘a’ in unoa stands for art, while ‘uno’ is derived from my surname. Above all, I focus on highlighting the beauty of the dancer’s body, ensuring comfort, and keeping the designs simple.
During my time as a dancer, maintaining motivation through daily lessons was essential. Because it’s a profession that demands such discipline, I found that seeing a beautiful reflection in the mirror lifted my spirits and changed the energy I projected.
I want to continue creating wear that supports dancers in this way and brings a sense of confidence and joy to everyone who wears it.”
We aim to share the richness and artistry of ballet beyond the boundaries of the dance industry.
Ms. Rina Kumano, President and CEO of Rinamond Co., Ltd., the company that has operated unoa since its founding, shared:
“Since the brand’s inception, our team has tirelessly refined each creation—bringing to life Director Unozawa’s sensibility as a ballet dancer, her devotion to beauty, and her artistic vision through continuous exploration and an uncompromising pursuit of quality.
Building on that foundation, we have delivered high-quality products that many customers truly cherish and incorporate into their daily practice.
Moving forward, we aim to continue evolving into a company that shares the richness and artistry of ballet beyond industry boundaries, connecting with people across diverse fields through our activities.”
Ballet culture is both an art form expressed through the body and a unique form of entertainment. At GARDE, whether through the operation of New York’s GOCA art gallery or various domestic and international projects, we frequently engage with art as both a visual expression and a spatial experience.
Ballet, as a visual art expressed through the body, has evolved over centuries by incorporating contemporary elements and now stands as a comprehensive art form that unites music, choreography, and stage design. Through conversations with the two directors and this exhibition, I came to understand that ballet wear plays a vital role in shaping the dancer’s body and enhancing the artistry of the performance.
As GARDE Gallery’s first ballet wear exhibition, we were honored to provide the space for this showcase. We are deeply grateful to all the visitors and everyone who supported the event, knowing that we were once again able to contribute to the promotion of the arts and culture.
Dégagé The Visual & Story Archive Exhibition Overview
Dates: Tuesday, October 28 – Friday, October 31, 2025 (Exhibition closed)
Venue: ALLIANCE 4F, GARDE Gallery
5-2-1 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo
unoa Official Website: https://www.unoa-jp.com/
Rinamond Official Website: https://rinamondk.wixsite.com/mysite
GARDE Official Website: https://www.garde-intl.com/