Modern Kimonos To Die For: These Designers Are Giving An Old Artform New Edge
Hello, fellow kimono lovers of all shapes, sizes, colors, & geographic persuasions!

Kimono princessing is all about mixing East and West, colors and patterns, styles and eras, and it warmly embraces vintage, second-hand delights as well as new. But there are a growing number of talented designers who have boosted the ancient artform onto modern runways, and the results are utterly swoonworthy. If you haven’t been introduced to these fabulous brands yet, here’s a peek at my favorite modern kimono designers. (But don’t say I didn’t warn you: hide your credit card first, because it will definitely be trying to leap from your wallet!)
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TAMAO SHIGEMUNE




You can romp through her current collection on the Tamao Shigemune website, but I also like her blog and @tamamshi Instagram, which are filled with more casual shots and great coordinations
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MAMECHIYO MODERN



Here’s Mamechiyo Modern’s online store and you can see their coordinations and accessories on their @mamechiyomodern Instagram
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DOUBLE MAISON



More kimono inspiration on the Double Maison website and their extra-fab Instagram @doublemaison
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KIIRO



Kiiro’s 2020 collection can be found on this page and their furisode can be ogled in the Mimatsu Group online store.
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MODERN ANTENNA



Here’s the Modern Antenna website. These photos are from their Mod Series and Polka Dot Series. Their @modern_antenna Instagram is wonderful too.
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SAKUTEN (SAKU LABORATORY)




Tons more entertaining Sakuten designs can be found on their fabulous @gofukuyasan Instagram and the Gofukuyasan website
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HIGH CALORIE OTOME (ハイキャロリオトメ)

Here’s the High Calorie Otome website, where you can see their whole line
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RUMI ROCK



All the RumiRock offerings are un their online shop and you can check out their newest designs on their @rumirockstore Instagram
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YOSHIKIMONO




More eye candy is on the Yoshikimono website and you can catch a glimpse of the master himself amid the kimonos on the @yoshikimono official Instagram
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SHITO HISAYO

The entire collection can be seen on the Shito Hisayo website, but all the latest designs and coordinations can be glimpsed on the @shitohisayo_official Instagram
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JOTARO SAITO



Photos of his runway show at Tokyo Fashion Week 2020 are on the Jotaro Saito web shop page and his Instagram @jotarosaito
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Do you have a favorite designer who I left out? Tell me in the comments, because I never get tired of discovering new looks and this won’t be the last time you’ll read about modern kimono here!
And now the only thing left to say is, TAKE MY MONEY!
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Last Tea Bowl Thief was chosen as an Editor’s Pick for Best Mystery, Thriller & Suspense on Amazon!
“A great read!” —Liza Dalby, author of Geisha and The Tale of Murasaki

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Jonelle Patrick writes novels set in Japan, produces the monthly newsletter Japanagram, and blogs at Only In Japan and The Tokyo Guide I Wish I’d Had
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Jonelle Patrick View All
Writing mystery books set in Tokyo is mostly what I do, but I also blog about the odd stuff I see every day in Japan. I'm a graduate of Stanford University and the Sendagaya Japanese Institute in Tokyo, and a member of the International Thriller Writers, the Mystery Writers of America, and Sisters In Crime. When I'm not in Tokyo, I live in San Francisco. I also host a travel site called The Tokyo Guide I Wish I'd Had, so if you're headed to Japan and want to check out the places I take my friends when they're in town, take a look!
Wowser. D❣️🍵
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So glad you enjoyed!
Jonelle, I’m not sure what lucky star led me to you, but I certainly thank her or him. Seeing your posting arrive is always a joyful event because I know it will be fascinating and world widening. Today’s is no exception. I am fascinated with kimonos and just received a beautiful one, and an obi, from a friend. I had given him a knockout red with gold one that we have been told is a wedding kimono…no obi. That is now hanging in his front hall as a piece of art! I will do my best to wear the gifted one. Thank you for digging so widely into these contemporary kimonos. Your selections are stunning and so inspiring. A true upbeat moment in covid times. Thank you! Stay well! And keep enlightening us.
Claudia Goodridge Palm Springs, CA
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Claudia, you are the kindest and sweetest to take the time to tell me you enjoyed this post! Thank you for taking such joy in life, and especially for loving so many things I also love. The world is a better place with you in it—you made my day!
So chic!!! I am totally in love with this mix and match 😍