Tag: Kimono

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Sewing…

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When I learned sewing in School for the first time in later primary school year in Japan,

I used a ” Ashibumi- Mishin ” – “Foot step operated sewing machine” at school.

I believe it was Singer foot pedal sewing machine like the picture above. (  Pic from Pinterst )

I need to feed the leather belt to operate,

Then put both foot but right foot slightly forward than left then turn the Stop motion turn away from you and Balance Wheel turn toward to you while first step is going,

otherwise, feed going backword…

It was great fun, when you can sew smoothly, and you don’t want to stop it at all!!

But you really needed to practice first to get going for pedalling and threading ! 🙂

 

I got newsletter from Japan House in London the interesting article about knitted fabric history in Japan.

And I saw the image of Meiji period kimono ladies are sewing rather elegant way! ( Pic below )

So I remembered my first sewing was when I was making doll clothes with my little fingers

sewing dress with yellow cotton fabric with thread and needles,

and I think I put 3 big green buttons with sticky tapes in front for my finishing touch 🙂

And I send it to my Grandma with letter to Tokyo, and she was the Kimono dressed lady because of her occupation as well,

She was a tea ceremony master of Urasen-ke style.

She replied to me, ” You are so great in hand work, you should try to be a fashion designer! ”

So I tried 🙂

https://www.japanhouselondon.uk/discover/stories/meriyasu/?dm_i=4RMY,FVR6,HRR88,1VHAD,1

 

Tabi Factory Osawa Shoten in 1918

Machinery used for Tabi ( Sort of Socks for Kimono) factory Osawa-shoten in 1918 Image Courtesy from Gyoda City Museum pulled from Japan House Webstie.

Tabi manufacturing process material cutting 971x546 copy

Post card is showing machine for cutting process for Tabi making Image courtesy from Gyoda City Museum pulled from Japan House Website.

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Kimono….again

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I honestly can’t wait to see this exhibition at V&A in February 2020.

https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2019/oct/09/va-hosts-europes-first-major-exhibition-on-kimono?CMP=share_btn_fb&fbclid=IwAR1dz1-b51pK7GvH8f6e_Qu0tOIZhpwe6JWUSPrYFCzO14DnLz2YodLC2sg

Exhibits will include a dress designed by Alexander McQueen for Björk

Exhibits will include a dress designed by Alexander McQueen for Björk 🙂

Bjork album image Kimono by Alexander McQueen was sensecional that image was so strong and got inspired so much, decided to make my own version one day.

I got married in 1997.
I was working at Philip Treacy at that time.
We had a rented flat in Angel before we had wedding.

I was puttig the curtain not showing to Kevin while I was working on my wedding outfit.
I didn’t know but it is very bad luck  in the UK making own wedding dress or ( that explains a lot ; ) ) show your wedding outfit to your husband to be before the wedding day.

White 100% Silk Embroidered Taffeta and Gold embroidered silk satin ( Chinese ).

I had a beautiful Obi in Shu red (Vermillion Red ) that colour is perfect for Japanese image.

So when we decided to book the register office, I already made my dress idea that will be fusion Kimono deluxe ( my ultimate bespoke dress )!!

Picture is great! They never get old 🙂 It will be almost 22nd Anniversary soon 🙂

Excuse me from the bathroom of Russel Hotel 🙂 but this is the only shot I could get from top to toe my proud DIY job with Fantastic gift from Master Philip Treacy’s headpiece…..My 1950’s sandal, Satin bag and lace gloves 50’s at Angel’s Antique market. Japanese pearl necklace and handfan with Luck charm ( Omamori ). my nail was light blue- Something Blue 🙂

Kevin with wee Jamie in Kilt, he was 7 years very cute boy but he will be dad of son very soon! I am wearing beautiful Kimono lent from Maestro Philip Treacy…that is £30.000 worth Wedding Kimono from Japan. Thank you billion times for fantastic gift, my dad said I could be a bamboo doll with out them 🙂

Before returning this to Philip, I wanted to do this “Mikaeri Bijin?!” pose 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

「見返り 美人」の画像検索結果

Hishikawa Moronobu ” Mikaeri Bijin Zu” at Tokyo National Museum

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Kimono and hat

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Hi,

I had an opportunity to experiment a demonstration of my passion hat and kimono!

I love Traditional Kimono, but living in Scotland, there is not so much occasion to wear them.

And also there are lots of rules for dressing Kimono.

And I see the product so called Kimono in the shops all over, I disagree with those are called Kimono….

I was wondering there are so many traditional Kimono what you can purchase in Japan, which have much more detailed design and beautiful colours.

I love the traditional way of dressing Kimono, but one you are not specialized dressing the Kimono, it is hard to wear traditional way…

So, I use my Japanese Kimono ( They are produced in Japan as Traditional Kimono ) dressing with accessories you can find in your wardrobe.

Mrs. Yamazaki is founder’s wife of this event all over from Japan. She said she got lots of complements at the Sainsbury’s as she was wearing Kimono before the demonstration!!

How wonderful is that! 🙂

Reiko is wearing beautiful ivory casual komon houmon-gi and deep crown straw cloche with lace trimming with lace skirf and lace gloves. Instead of Obi sash belt, using knitted scarf and cotton flower printed scarf as obiage belt which are tied around hipborne for 20’s style. Pixie is wearing beautiful chrysanthemum motif houmon-gi kimono. Gorgeious Fukuroobi is tied in front. Wearing my handblocked sinamay 50’s style shallow crown hat.

Everybody!! who helped me for the demonstration!! at beautiful Trinity Hall in Aberdeen. Everyone enjoyed different themself! Ane me( on the left ) and Chika ( on the right )were wearing Haori ( kimono over coat )! Thank you guys!

Reiko is wearing elegant Ivory komon houmon-gi Pixie is wearing gorgeous gold chrysanthemum motif houmon-gi Bijoux is wearing Yukata ( Summer kimono for casual occasion ) what her mum Chika was dressing with my handblocked sinamay roses headpiece. Ruth is weraing beautiful lilac houmon-gi underneath, peticote, and cummerband and thin belt with chiffon scarf with my handblocked silver cocktail hat is matching with cummerband.

Jeniffer is wearing bow tie blouse and wool kommon ( small patterned motif as design ) kimono which is drapped on the back as bustle style and wide pants with thin belt in front. and my hand blocked felt hat with big phesant trimming. Pixie is waking with my handblocked ivory 50’s style hat.

Mrs. Yamazaki is wearing Camellia motif wool kimono. with thin belt with knitted shawl. My handblocked wool felt topper is really suiting her.

Mrs. Yamazaki said she was wearing this at Sainsbury and people are complementing how she was wearing and relaxed looking.

Beautiful light blue kimono and lime houmon-gi with handblocked sinamay big brim Hatinator. Ruth is wearing lilac houmon-gi.

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Kimono and dad….

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During the Summer holiday, I went back home.

It was a bittersweet trip back, since my dearest dad past away

before we went back to see him….My son had so many things to talk to you, dad…

My wedding day with my mum and dad at The Russell Hotel in London.

Kimono

I was so lucky to wear this £30,000 worth Wedding Kimono on my wedding day

loaned by Philip Treacy when I was working for him.

Inside this red Kimono, I made white silk bird embroidered dupion kimono lined with gold embroidered silk satin with Shu-red Kimono sash belt.

I was so proud of my design of white kimono ( hiding the dress from Kevin, while I was making it till wedding day ) and styling, but dad said, so glad you got this Red Kimono because you looked like a bamboo doll without it!! (lol)

The headpiece was a generous gift from Philip, the fresh bouquet was made by my friend Mika.

Net gloves from my mum’s old one, Nails were light blue, silk bag and 50’s style sandals from Angel’s Antique market where I used to live nearby….

I made you bring 2 decorated barrels of Sake all the way from Japan…
I made you big speech in front of people who don’t know much about…but your speech was wonderful and so many compliments from work colleagues, friends and family made me so proud daughter!!

But I couldn’t speak in front of you, because I burst into tears before finishing all and trying to hug you before leaving, you were so embarrassed. (lol)

I made you so anxious because I live far away from you….I didn’t return anything back to you, dad.

I will try to get home at least once a year to talk to you and mum, I promise.

My lovely dad in rest in peace now….