I have found a much better photo posting solution, one that will allow you guys to click on photos of posted outfits to get larger and more detailed versions without leaving the site. However, I have to go through and manually change every entry, so it may take a while. If older entries seem to have problems displaying images or galleries, please be patient. 🙂 They will get fixed eventually.
Save Artisans – Bring Real Kimono to New York Fashion Week
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.
Art Gallery – Memento Mori
This is a very special piece. My friend Olga K, an incredibly talented and creative illustrator, decided to draw something inspired by my kimono obsession, but with plenty of room for experimentation and personal expression. I love this piece so much, all the depth and colour of it, and how Olga put her own personal twist on the outfit while still keeping a very clear stylistic connection to traditional kimono and Japanese arts. Every time I look at it, I notice new details that I hadn’t seen previously.
It may not be typical kimono artwork, but I think it’s all the more special because of that.
Outfit of the Week: Mystery Dragonflies!
While folding and organising some of my older kimono the other day, I came across something that threw me for a loop. I do not remember procuring this kimono in any way. I don’t know if I bought it, if it was a gift, something I rescued from a thrift store… I really have no idea. In my dozen-plus years of collecting, I can tell you where nearly every piece in my collection came from, down to things like tabi and haneri. To have forgotten an entire (lovely!) kimono is quite a feat, I think.
That being said, I’m not complaining! This is a gorgeous piece. It’s a casual summer piece, very lightweight. I’m not positive on the fabric but it feels like a linen blend of some sort. It might be cotton, but it’s definitely softer and more refined than a yukata. The collar is conveniently sewn down and there is a light lining in the bum area and across the shoulders for cleanliness and reinforcement. It’s a beautiful dove grey with dusty blue foliage and adorable little dragonflies. The era is a bit hard to pin-point; it feels like it could be quite old, or it could be more modern but made to look vintage.
I wanted to make the coordination very cool and comfortable-feeling, so I kept things simple with a hanhaba obi. I also learnt a valuable lesson – this particular obi, while one of my favourites, is a finicky little thing that refuses to hold tight. I managed to get the kai-no-kuchi musubi to stay in place with the help of an obijime, but would not be comfortable wearing it out of the house like this. At least I know for the future!
Items used in this coordination
-
- Cotton with Dragonflies
-
- Taupe Hakata
-
- Blue & Silver
ねこあつめ – Neko Atsume!
Ok, so this post is only very loosely related to kimono, but I thought it was worth sharing! You may have heard of the mobile app called ねこあつめ (Neko Atsume), as it’s gone a bit viral recently. It’s very adorable, and very easy. All you have to do is make sure your kitties have food and toys, and they will come visit your garden, sometimes leaving you little trinkets or currency. You only have to check it a couple of times a day, and it’s more of a cute diversion than an actual game.
The main reason I’m posting, though, is that a few of the rare kitties available wear kimono!
 | This guy's name is Osamurai-san. You can try to coax him into your garden by putting out the Sakura Zabuton or the High Quality Log. |
 | This is Maromayu-san, and he wears traditional Heian era garb. He'll come visit if you put out the Mari Ball item, and sashimi for food. |
And once you’ve expanded your garden, you can also buy a very pretty little Japanese garden theme for it:
You can download Neko Atsume for free for iOS here and Android here. There is a great English-language tutorial available here, and another handy guide here on MeoWoof!
Bebe Taian
CHOKO Blog
Gion Kobu