Ever since visiting parts of Asia, I’ve been inspired by relaxed, one-size-fits-most silhouettes. Lately I’ve taken a liking to the Japanese kimono – it’s a timelessly elegant and versatile garment that has a tailored yet relaxed feel. They can look great on anybody and everybody.
“Although western style clothes, whether ready-made or tailor-made, come in a great variety of forms and designs and sizes, the form is fixed before the garment is put on. Thus, the garment either fits a particular person or it does not. Quite the opposite is true of kimono, since from the most formal to the most casual they all have the same form. It is possible to speak of the true form of a kimono only after it has been put on a human body. In other words it is the wearer who, according to his proficiency, creates the form. It is this potential to highlight and express a person’s personality that makes kimono so different from western styles of dress. Since it is what is inside that gives the kimono its true form, it is meaningless for the wearer to merely imitate another person’s outer or physical presence. Those who would make the beauty of the kimono their own must first make their own spirit and character a thing of beauty. This is the wisdom of beauty for those devoted to the kimono.”
- Norio Yamanaka, The Book of Kimono
This is my first handmade kimono jacket. It’s fully lined with black silk & made from silk brocade. It has tapered panels in the side seams. I wanted to make my grandma something special for her birthday since she has always inspired me with her creativity and way of showing love through handmade gifts 🙏I’m excited to make more (...and take some better photos when I’m not rushing out the door!)