Featuring a perfectly spherical beaded shape and a gleaming iridescent finish, pearls are celebrated as exquisite gemstones. However, for Maiko Makito, these natural treasures transcend being mere jewellery pieces; instead, they embody the essence of aspiring for a lasting legacy. Serving as the Co-owner and Managing Director of Pearl FALCO, Maiko Makito has assumed the responsibility of guiding her family business to create a substantial impact in the Southeast Asia region. We get up close and personal with Maiko Makito as she shares her aspirations and philanthropic initiatives for Pearl FALCO, navigating seas of innovation to redefine the allure of Akoya Pearls.
Interview with Maiko Makito, the Co-owner and Managing Director of Pearl FALCO
Hi Maiko Makito, it’s a pleasure to meet you. Could you please introduce yourself to our readers?
I’m Maiko, Co-Owner and Managing Director of Pearl FALCO, the first and only company from Ise Shima – my hometown and the birthplace of cultured pearls that is in Singapore to promote the beauty of our Japanese treasure – Akoya pearls.
Congratulations on the grand opening of Pearl FALCO’s inaugural retail store in Downtown Gallery, Singapore. Since you took the helm of the brand, it has consistently achieved milestones. What is your primary objective for the brand moving forward?
My mission and hope are to share our knowledge of pearls globally, with each creation carrying stories, love, devotion, and hard work. As we face challenges like global warming affecting delicate Akoya Oysters, over 80% of these oysters have succumbed to climate change, impacting Akoya pearl production. Japan is also dealing with an ageing population and a declining birth rate, affecting various industries, including ours. These difficulties make luxury pearl jewellery production and design even more challenging. We hope to promote sustainability and preserve the beauty of Pearls for our future generations.
Pearl FALCO is renowned for its exquisite craftsmanship. How does the brand continue to evolve its designs amidst the competitive proliferation of new jewellery brands?
Now we have more than 4000 pearl jewellery designs in our galleries in Singapore and Japan and most of them were designed one at a time, hence have a personalised, unique touch. We won’t do mass production but have created timeless pearl jewellery with utmost love and attention to details so that each piece adds to a story.
Our funding principle and our company name is FALCO, Familiar, Love and Confidence. We, Pearl FALCO, are to create our pearl jewellery pieces with the utmost love and attention to details so that they can be passed on to the future generations. At Pearl FALCO, it’s our passion for our culture and the beauty of pearls that we wish to share with the world so we can find inspiration in many things embedded in nature.
Nature is the Mother for our pearls and classics and always provides comfort and inspiration so our pieces automatically have modern twists on relevant historical concepts. Many people can associate with this as nature is everlasting and evergreen. Now pearls are not only for formal occasions but can be enjoyed daily and more casually throughout your day.
I always believe that people and their connections always create happiness and pearls just help enhance the beauty in people in a very natural and timeless manner and it thrills me that I could be a bridge to facilitate these connections and that is reflected in the jewellery by Pearl FALCO.
You are known as a woman who wears many hats. Aside from leading the brand and designing jewellery, you have also ventured into philanthropy with the charity fund, Pearl of Hope, and the Grand Prix Akoya Pearl Jewellery competition in Ise Shima. How do you manage these diverse commitments?
Before joining Pearl FALCO, I was fortunate to be afforded the opportunities to travel and learn about cultural amalgamation from those travels. Being self-reliant, I backpacked across different territories and countries since I was a student and learnt so much about communities and culture that I would have never been able to. I grew up in a time when technology was not as prevalent as it is today. I had the fortune of being able to feel alive in that moment without having to document it for social media. It was me, the nature and the people beneath the sky. This has really taught me the importance of life and people.
Since young, I have always harboured dreams to contribute to the community and I am blessed with the opportunities to do the same through Pearl FALCO. This is my life story intersected, just like an intricately strewn pearl necklace. Keeping Pearl FALCO running smoothly goes beyond selling luxury pearl jewellery, it is also about supporting our local communities and sharing our passion for supporting the educational aspiration of the young generation throughout Asia.
We heard that before taking on the role from your father in 2016, you backpacked across continents during your varsity days and even became the Business Manager of the IT Telephony System at NEC Asia Pacific in Singapore. What inspired you to take on the role and lead the business?
When I arrived in Singapore in 2005, I did not expect that I would have the opportunity to take over and expand my family’s business, Pearl FALCO, in this country. Frankly speaking, coming from a corporate background, I did not expect that running a business would be this tough either. To take over the family business in the countryside of Japan, traditionally and historically, wasn’t easy at all. And as a modest, we already had the odds stacked against us due to the Japanese economic situation coupled with a declining population. So at the beginning, I decided to lead this business from my responsibility as the eldest child. I have a younger sister who is a doctor. But through Pearl FALCO business, I found my mission to share our knowledge about pearls globally with each creation carrying many stories, love and devotion, hard work and the beautiful nature.
The pearl farming industry faces challenges due to climate change. Given the critical challenges faced by Akoya pearl oysters, how do you envision incorporating sustainability practices into production to address environmental concerns and raise awareness among consumers?
Pearl FALCO is dedicated to incorporating robust sustainability practices into our production processes. One notable initiative in this regard is “The PEARL Plant-A-Tree Project,” a crowdfunding effort I passionately advocate for. This project not only involves planting trees but also engages in reforestation, aligning with our commitment to mitigating climate change and preserving the environment.
Our sustainability commitment extends throughout our entire pearl farming operation. The comprehensive utilisation of the entire yield, including non-jewellery quality pearls, oyster shells, and oyster flesh, for eco-friendly products such as medicines, cosmetics, clothing, buttons, fertilisers, fish food, and even Pearl Green Tea underscores our holistic approach to minimising waste and promoting environmental responsibility.
Incorporating sustainable practices is not just about meeting environmental challenges; it’s also about raising awareness among consumers. We understand the importance of educating individuals about the significance of sustainable pearl farming. Through initiatives like the Private Pearl Soirée and Pearl Appreciation Workshops, we aim to share our knowledge and foster a deeper appreciation for the environmental implications of pearl production.
By actively engaging in sustainability practices and promoting awareness, Pearl FALCO envisions not only addressing environmental concerns but also playing a pivotal role in shaping a more responsible and informed consumer base within the pearl farming industry.
In an era where technological advancements enable faster production in the jewellery industry, Pearl FALCO remains committed to handcrafting each piece for its heirloom characteristics. How do you believe this dedication to manual craftsmanship contributes to the brand’s identity, and what challenges and opportunities do you foresee in maintaining this tradition while keeping up with the pace of the industry?
At Pearl FALCO, our commitment to handcrafting each piece of pearl jewellery is not just a process; it’s a testament to our dedication to creating timeless heirlooms. In an era dominated by technological advancements and fast-paced production in the jewellery industry, our emphasis on manual craftsmanship sets us apart. This dedication is integral to our brand identity, as each piece is infused with love and meticulous attention to detail. We believe that pearl jewellery is more than adornment; it’s a true legacy meant to be passed on, carrying the sentiments and memories of many.
Navigating the challenges and opportunities posed by the industry’s rapid pace while maintaining our tradition of manual craftsmanship is a delicate balance. Challenges may include ensuring scalability and efficiency, but the opportunities lie in preserving the authenticity and uniqueness that manual craftsmanship brings. By doing so, we not only differentiate ourselves but also cater to a discerning audience appreciative of the artistry and heritage embedded in each Pearl FALCO creation.
Could you share with us your favourite pieces from Pearl FALCO?
SHIZUKU series of Pearl FALCO is my favourite design and must have a piece for my daily wear. The Ancient Romans were passionate about pearls and described a pearl as a “Moon Dewdrop – SHIZUKU” Like a raindrop falling into a river and flowing to the ocean, we wish to deliver drops of pearls born in Ise Shima to the world. The SHIZUKU series shows love by having a pearl dewdrop in a moon shape like a mother cuddling her baby or a mother oyster cultivating its pearl for years just like we humans do. My mission and hope is also to be like SHIZUKU or a pearl to be the bridge between Ise Shima and the world.
Pearls are known for their timeless and elegant designs. Do you have any tips you’d like to share with our readers on how to style or select suitable pieces? Simple full pearl necklace in Layered style so that it can be day-night. People think that pearls are more formal but pearl necklace layering with a simple pendant or long chain necklace with different outfits throughout the day. So please don’t keep a pearl necklace in your drawer or safety box which is not good for pearls too. They are living gems to breathe outside!
What is your vision for the future of Pearl FALCO? Are there any upcoming projects or expansions?
I can say that my ultimate vision has definitely expanded to bring Ise Shima to the world. With Singapore as our first and most important milestone in the Asian continent, we are committed to promote the beauty of our Japanese treasure – Akoya pearls and pass our knowledge about pearls to the future generations with many stories, love and devotion, hard work and the beautiful nature behind each creation of pearl jewellery.
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