The Tokyo Kimono Show returned last weekend, and the fabulous new kimono coordinations have never been more inspiring. Rows upon rows of mannequins displayed the stylish offerings of designers from all over Japan…
…and they were skillfully set up so they could be appreciated from front and back
Some designers took the opportunity to style their more flamboyant offerings in exciting new ways (check out the tulle fishtail on that juban!)
And others mixed patterns, vintage/new elements and accessories in lovely new ways
As always, there were floors and floors of vendors to take advantage of the credit cards burning a hole in every visitor’s pocket, like this fun obi maker who experimented with padding the ends to give extra dimension to a musubi
And accessory designers like this one, whose patterned zori add an unexpected layer of kimono coordination delight: when they’re left behind in a no-shoes area, everyone can enjoy how the pattern that’s hidden while you’re wearing them works with the other elements of your outfit.
There were fashionable shape innovations, like these square parasols crafted from vintage kimonos…
And designers whose look is inspired by popcult icons like this Alice in Wonderland collection…
There was also a display of utterly want-worthy vintage Meissen pieces
…a few lavish wedding kimono offerings
…and the world’s most stylish Shichi-Go-San kidswear
But mostly it was one gorgeous kimono outfit after another. I wish you could have been in Tokyo to ogle these with me, but if you’re location-challenged, here were a few of my favorites…
And this one, with out-of-this-world creative styling and a crazy sculptural backbone addition to the musubi!
And finally—it was super hard to choose—but I think this one was my favorite:
If you still want more, the Tokyo Kimono Show website has a walk-though of last year’s show too!
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Jonelle Patrick writes novels set in Japan, produces the monthly e-magazine Japanagram, and blogs at Only In Japan and The Tokyo Guide I Wish I’d Had
Only In Japan 
Thank you for this article and photos. I enjoyed the variety of fabrics used for the kimonos and obis. Joyful is how I feel!!
That’s how I felt too, looking at them! It was such a pleasure to see new combinations of colors and patterns and textures. When I see a show like this—with all the young people starting companies to make accessories and new fabric designs—I feel like new life has been breathed into this old art form!