CONCEPT
CULTURAL HERITAGE
It all began with my grandma, who was a small but strong lady with a penchant for sewing and fashion. She was a force of nature, and the pillar of our family. As a child, I looked up to her and reveled in her steady, strong love. When she passed, I inherited her Kimonos and obis. Looking for a way to wear her Kimonos so I could feel close to her memory, I set off on a journey to refashion Kimonos into modern-day garments.
Having spent most of my life in the United States, where racism, fetishization and appropriation of Japanese culture are rampant, I struggled to stay connected with my identity. In 2017, I moved back to Japan and began working with Kimonos. This work is a part of my healing journey to reconnect with and reclaim my culture.
Every piece I touch allows me to appreciate the craftsmanship and art that went in each Kimono, and puts me in direct conversation with the legacy of Japanese craftsmanship. Through upcycling, the appreciation of Kimono textiles can become accessible to everyone.
I am excited and proud to share what I continue to learn about Kimonos - a part of my culture that is loved, but often misunderstood.
PROCESS
As more and more people in Japan forego the traditions of wearing Kimonos, they can be found laying dormant in chests or entering the recycled clothing market. In my search for high quality Kimonos, I scour online auctions, markets and second-hand shops.
Finding the right Kimonos can be a challenge as silk can “shatter” over time without proper care, and dyes can become oxidized, creating permanent stains. Many Kimonos inevitably have some signs of wear but I take my time to carefully search out vintage kimonos that have no obvious marks.
Seam by seam, the Kimono is carefully deconstructed by hand. It is a lengthy process, but one that reveals the craftsmanship that goes into each hand-sewn Kimono.
SUSTAINABILITY
Mass consumption has put Mother Earth in peril. Fast fashion produced in factories, often utilizing unethical labor, creates tons of apparel designed to be discarded at the end of a season. I believe upcycling and repurposing high quality materials is one step in the right direction.
Traditionally, Kimonos are constructed from bolts of silk measuring 35-37 cm wide. Eight rectangular pieces are folded and overlapped to fit the body. At any time, the pieces can be taken apart and sewn back together to accommodate weight fluctuations, or if the Kimono is passed onto another person with different height. This method of construction and resizing does not produce any discarded fabric.
As a nod to the Kimono’s zero-waste philosophy, I strive to come up with designs that produce the least amount of waste. Off-cuts are assembled into patchwork items or accessories.