Book Review: " The New Kimono" by the Editors of Nanao Magazine

Book: " The New Kimono"
Author(s) Editors of "Nanao" Magazine ( Japan)
Purchase: USA Amazon

I know there has been about a year and a half between the time " The New Kimono" was first published and it finally coming into my household, but none-the-less I feel the need to blog about this fantastic book anyway because I think that it is a really important reference/inspiration piece to have in one's kimono arsenal. 

I really do wish that this book had been around when I first became interested in attempting to wear kimono. Though  pictures of perfect models in gorgeous kimono are very inspiring and beautiful, they can be a bit daunting as those models are dressed by professionals who can dive in at any second to fix a puffy ohashori or an un-even collar.  Sometimes all of the "rules" in wearing can leave a new kimono enthusiast feeling lost and or discouraged from having a " Kimono Life" because they are afraid of making mistakes.

In my opinion " The New Kimono" really makes wearing kimono a lot more fun and most especially accessible. It is incredibly refreshing to read kimono industry experts say things like " You're wrapping a flat piece of fabric around a body that has a shape, so of course you are going to have wrinkles. Isn't it the wrinkles that make a kimono beautiful?".

Beyond the oodles of lovely photos in the book ( mook?) the advice the " New Kimono" has to share to its readers is so helpful and dare I say even relaxing. I loved reading that illustrator Fujiko Ishibashi ( one of the many interviewed in the book) sometimes ditches a juban all together if it is too hot outside, or that the Otani sisters, owners of Kimono Sarasa, make obi out of all sorts of fabrics including vintage juban. 

Reading " The New Kimono" has made me realize that it is okay to do what works for me and what makes me comfortable when wearing kimono. Of course ( like we all do) I will continue to strive for neat kitsuke and well coordinated ensembles, but now it is with a sense of fun and imagination rather than trying to look like a photograph. I am sure with the advice and ideas that I have gleaned from reading " The New Kimono" that I will be wearing kimono more often, and you hopefully will too!

Obidome Round Up No.2

I love accessories made of wood, most especially during the Fall season. Most recently I have been looking to mix wooden accessories in with  kimono ensembles where I feel it adds a warm natural touch to the outfit.

Below are my pin-for-obidome use finds. Please click the picture below to access all the item, seller, and purchase information or to just browse ^_-

Obidome Round Up No. 1

I love using pins as obidome! There are so many amazing and unique items that can be found on Etsy.com that are perfect for kimono ensembles, so I thought I would post a round up of some of my current favorites. I am very much into  blue these days......can you tell? ^_^

Click the picture below to be taken to Etsy.com so you can explore these items!

Jotaro Saito 2013-2014 Collection

I know I am most likely on the back end of the band wagon when it comes to finding out about this years seasonal kimono fashion lines, but I thought I would post links and pictures of Jotaro Saito's " Dress People" collection for this year 2013-2014.

To view more pictures and scan through Jotaro Saito's amazing body of visual, textile, and architectual work please visit the link below!
http://www.jotaro.net/index.html

The "Dress People" line
http://www.jotaro.net/works/kimono/2013/index.html

 I really like this collection and the layering of different textures to create a soft modern-organic look. The patterns and color pairings remind me of what a bright, almost loud kimono ensemble looks like when someone is walking through the night time alleys of Kyoto that are lined with dark aged wood and soft lantern light. Every bright color gets muted, the garishness disappears and are replaced with dusky shadows and little shocks of color when the taxis rush by.

 

 

Obijime and Obiage dye project.

I love it when a kimono project works out!!!!.

This morning I dyed my dusty pink obiage and obijime set to a lovely dark teal. I did this to match my birthday present to myself, which is a black and bright teal shibori ro komon.  The pictures of the end result are rather washed out mind you. The actual color is WAY darker but I have to say I am very happy with the out come. I used Jacquard Acid Dyes for this project because the set has to be from the late 90s at the absolute oldest and the silk can deal with that type of dye with out getting damaged. I learned my lesson with acid dyes a while back while attempting to dye some obi silk that was from the 30s. Holes everywhere is all I am going to say.  That being said, I am going to attempt to dye older fabric with Procion and other cool dye bath dyes and hopefully will have better results than I did with the hot acid dye bath.

BEFORE

 

AFTER!

 

Hadajuban finished!

Happily I was able to sit down last night and make myself a hadajuban top.  I drafted the pattern myself using a reference picture of a hadajuban off of Rakuten.  The fabric I chose is a bit thicker than what I have seen used, but I am hoping that it will sort of lift off the skin vs. hugging it. If not it will be good to have for the winter time.

 

Lazy Sunday Project: Kimono Box Sachet

While waiting for some fabric to dry for another project I decided to hop on another idea that I have had in mind since I planted a lovely little lavender bush on my porch. As I am sure many other kimono enthusiasts agree, vintage kimono can sometimes come with a rather strong odor to them. Some don't mind it.... some do. I don't mind the smell of  paulownia wood, but Parfume De Mothballs honestly makes me feel a bit sick.  So with the help of some scrap fabric and some dried lavender buds from my porch lavender bush, I made a quick and simple sachet to fight the mothballs smell in my kimono storage.

Nothing fancy here, all of the materials I had around the house. I cut out the pieces and sewed them together while watching an old movie. 

**Note for those who are looking to do the same :The actual dried lavender buds are in cased in a separate pouch of thin cotton just to hold in any super small plant particles that may weasel their way through. Once I finished that simple pouch I stuffed it into the outer decorative pouch like you would stuff a pillow