The Tokyo Kimono Show never disappoints! Once again, it’s an eye-popping parade of fabulous kimono ensembles…
put together by some of the most innovative designers in the biz. But let’s get to the eye candy!
This year there was less frippery and showiness, but more diversity of styles and color. These spectacular entries by African Closet showed just how international kimono can be, using complimentary African cloth patterns
on both kimonos and obis.
This year, it was the obis that were the real show-stoppers, like this one that looks perfectly appropriate for a ladies lunch from the front, with fun abstract designs…that turn out to be a monster cat in the back!
I loved the fun zipper obi paired with this vintage kimono…
and this fun take on animal motifs.
This sheer summer kitsuke manages to look cool despite its rich colors, and the modern take on bush clover makes it the perfect outfit to wear in September, when it’s technically fall, but the thermometer begs to differ.
I don’t usually get too excited about kuro tomesode, but this one is so elegant, it shows that even the most formal kimonos can be stylish too.
This gold ensemble was quietly stunning…
as was this striped beauty…
and these subtly pleasing ensembles.
This one looks so comfy and fun, I could wear it every day.
There were quite a few that would qualify as sedate, but took it up a notch with quietly gorgeous colors and motifs.
These traditional indigo-dyed shibori pieces by fashion design students were perfectly paired with summer obis…
and other traditional Japanese dyeing and weaving techniques really held their own in the fashion freshness department.
The hime style lace and jewels outfits took on a new sophistication, ranging from sweet to goth…
while this Mondrian-adjascent houndstooth number pairs with an obi printed with “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” the widely beloved national anthem of African Americans,
The students at this kimono design school challenge us to flaunt our spirit guides…
and these opulent designs—including one from fashion star Sheila Cliffe’s collection—really raised the bar when it comes to formalwear.
These pulled together unusual influences, vintage bling, and quietly gorgeous elements.
and while I don’t usually lust after brightly colored furisode, this fabulous ensemble makes embroidered embellishment utterly want-worthy!
The men’s designs this year were pretty thin, but I did love that I could imagine quite a few of my fellow authors in this jaunty outfit…
As a side note, I noticed that many designers were showing obis tied in less-complicated ways, to make wearing kimonos more accessible.
There were, of course, a few entries that really push the boundaries of what can be defined as “kimono”…
and a fantasy trio of kimono-inspired costumes from Taiwanese designer JUST IN XX, that seemed to be riffing on Kitakyushu graduation togs…
with a side of Hollywood starlet.
The gift shop was of course a must-visit, with lots of choice goods for sale…
and some of the custom kimono vendors even managed to outdo the exhibition when it comes to the Next New Thing.
I’ll write more on this new-to-me washi handbag vendor in another post…
but don’t you love these obidome based on samurai sword guards?
I’m sure you’re dying to know if I made it out of there without breaking the bank?
Ahahahaha. No. No I did not. But how could I resist this ABSOLUTELY PERFECT obidome for my book launch kitsuke? (Look how cool the design is—it sits on top of the obijime instead of threading through those infernally narrow brackets that are usually tacked onto the back!)
The Tokyo Kimono Show is on through Sunday, April 19, so if you’re in Tokyo right now, GO! (And I don’t have to tell you that your fellow attendees will be pulling out all the stops when it comes to their own kimono outfits too. Even the audience is a feast for the eyes at this show.)
Tokyo Kimono Show
Hours: 11:00 – 18:00
Admission: Adults ¥2000
MAP to the Sunrize Building exhibition hall where you buy your tickets.
This exhibition is spread out over a few blocks in the Ningyōchō neighborhood, and features not just the hall of kimonos, but also workshops, events, shops and demonstrations of traditional Japanese arts. The price of admission covers all three days, making it quite a bargain for kimono lovers!
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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
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