This post is a little bit different. If you’re reading this blog, you’re probably already fairly interested in kimono, and active in the kimono-related communities on the internet, but just in case, I’m sharing this anyway.
Hiromi Asai is a professional kimono stylist who strives to share the artistry and history of kimono with the world. Kimono Artisan Kyoto is an association of traditional textile artisans. Together, they are trying to get a fashion show happening at New York Fashion Week that will showcase kimono fashion and share it with the world. Hiromi has created a Kickstarter to help fund this goal. Please check it out, and consider donating to help keep kimono culture alive and well. They are at over 80% of the goal with two weeks to go, so this project is absolutely viable, but still needs support!
“Kimono” is now a well known word around the world, yet in its native Japan the art of kimono creation is on the verge of crisis. Reduction of kimono market, aging of artisans, and lack of their successors are slowly fading the once vibrant art.
We hope to revive and revitalize the world of Kimono by presenting authentic hand crafted kimono designs on the runways at New York Fashion Week. If we succeed funding by Kickstarter, this is the world’s first crowdfunding-based fashion show on the standard venues at New York Fashion Week. We believe this project is for the future of kimono and kimono fashion.
In order to expand the kimono market to the world, kimono artisans come out from their workshops and plan to show their kimono designs on stage at New York Fashion Week in February 2016, produced by Hiromi Asai. This project is organized by two non-profit organization, Kimono Hiro Inc. and Kimono Artisan Kyoto, in US and Japan, respectively.
You can also follow the project on Facebook for status updates and new information.
Update, July 26, 2015: The initial funding goal has been met with a few days to go! If you were debating pledging and have not yet, there is still time. They’ve added several push goals, and more funding can only help out.
Bebe Taian
CHOKO Blog
Gion Kobu