kimono wedding dress and kimono hawaiian shirt

I was looking at Melanie's blog and saw what she put on the site! The Kimono wedding dress is
what I would love to wear on my wedding too! If I had that kind of plan anytime soon.
I looked up who and where they make the dress, her name is Kayo Shimizu and she's located
in Nagoya, Japan. She didn't have a website but she takes custom orders by phone. Her shop
is called 手作り紗絽夢 (TEZUKURI salon meaning hand made salon) She's been doing
this for over 20 years and have fashion shows at department stores in Japan.


I think the Kimono Hawaiian shirt is so cute too! I've seen many that the fabric and pattern
didn't quite do it for me but this one is great! He has a shop online and his is all made by
special order. Satomu Furutani makes other things too! Like cases for Nintendo DS.
It's great!! I want a cell phone case like that. This guy's located in Nagoya too. The wallet's
so cute, how the inside is also kimono shows the Japanese side of considering all the small
details.



kimono case for Nintendo DS

kimono lighter case


kimono wallet

kimono baseball caps

I usually HATE baseball caps but these are waaaaay too cute to ignore.

shibori

Found the entire book online on shibori! Shibori is like Tie dye but the correct definition from the book is:

"Shibori is a Japanese word for a variety of ways of embellishing textiles and shaping cloth and securing it before dyeing. Word comes from shibaru which means to wring squeeze or press. "

From Shibori: The Inventive Art of Japanese Shaped Resist Dyeing : Tradition, Techniques, Innovation

By Yoshiko Iwamoto Wada

You can learn about it's traditions and techniques!
I haven't seen any pretty kimono that was shibori but it's a textile technique definitely to be appreciated.

I also found people who create art from shibori techniques. She uses it part of her art for it's texture and form. It's magnificent! Completely unrelated now to kimono but it's great how techniques transcend and become a part of art.

guy's kimono footware

There's geta art exhibition opening in LA on 6/14.
Geta's are traditional footware worn by Japanese men when they get dressed in traditional clothing like kimono and yukata but they wear it with western clothing too sometimes.

Karan Koron is the sound made when you wear getas and it makes everyone nostalgic.

"Karan Koron is an amazing opportunity to view and purchase custom works by more than 60 world-renowned artists. In an attempt to combine the eastern and western world of artistry, over 60 original pairs of getas will be painted, sculpted, carved, and drawn on by contemporary artists highly recognized in the art industry today. The artists range from emerging artists, local and underground artists from Japan, LA and Mexico, legendary graffiti artists, to students and lecturers of Musachino Art University in Japan."

Some modern kimono pics

From favorite kimono books!

From Kimono Hime

Maiko Haaaaaan!

The new movie out in Japan, Maiko haaan coming out on 6/16 in Japan looks hilarious! It's a comedy about a guy that could only love Maikos (apprentice of geisha, I like their wardrobe better because they get to wear the 5 foot long sleeves and wear those high heel sandals. Their kimonos are much more colorful and dressier) and his ex girlfriend becomes a Maiko to get him back. I love any movies with tons of kimono in it!

Handmade kimono shoes!

These are incredible! She makes handmade shoes with vintage kimono fabric!

And they are beautiful:)

 

9 reasons to wear kimono in Japan

I found an article stating these are the only times people wear full kimonos (not including yuktata).

 

http://www.risingsunofnihon.com/2007/06/9_reasons_to_wear_a_kimono_in.html

1. Babies are often dressed in kimono when they pay their first visit to a shrine.

2. Children are dressed in kimonos for shich-go-san festivals.(7-5-3 festival)

3. Coming-of-age day - the year the girls turn 20, you will see the young ladies, now women, all decked out...but not all of them.

4. People in traditional arts - dancers, workers at restaurants will wear kimonos.

5. Graduations - college or university

6. Weddings - many attendees will wear them.

7. Festivals - just for the fun of it.

8. Older women - like to wear them
 
9. Funerals - they are black and special for this event

 

But on the contrary there are fashionistas that wear kimono daily or people who are not all decked out in kimono but wear kimono fabric made accessory and clothing!

kitty and kimono

Denim Kimono?!

I can't believe they now make Kimono's in denim!!
I can't see how a beautiful kimono could be in denim plus it must be so hot and hard to wear...
And the funny thing is it looks so traditional. It would be really cute if it's with lace and skulls
and looked like a punkish denim kimono.

But I have to say it is unconventional, and modern. Kimono's are usually made in silk so it's hard to take care of but if it's denim it can be washed easily and the stains can be removed easily. AND it's more affordable. But I have to say I still like the antique kimono's with it's patterns and originality! Until we can get more creative with denim kimono I don't think I'll ever turn to it.

Kimono Rings

Save your Grandma's favorite Kimono fabric forever in a cute plastic ring :)