Kimono has been distinguished soft and hard texture on fabric hand feeling. “Soft” group like Japanese silk crepe is dyed on fabric and then the motif is drawn on the fabric for special occasion. “Hard” group like “Tsumugi” is dyed on yarn and the motif is made by weaving for daily wear.

Same image as Kimono group had been found on tableware, Wedgewood and Slipware. “Soft” image Wedgewood is expressed refined texture by hand drawing flowers like “Yuzen”. Queen Elizabeth and Royalty had patronized and used regularly. On the other hand, slipware was made for farmers. The texture is very simple, warm and heavy.

Kimono fabric and tableware are created by surroundings, landscape/weather/buildings/space/lifestyle.

We can use tableware regularly but Kimono. Kimono style has become very special now. Women over 50 years old brought many Kimonos on bridal. Almost of them are not put on. As you know, pure silk Kimono is very expensive. I would remake Kimono to matched modern style clothes as many as possible for relay of Japanese culture. Both of “soft” and ”hard” texture ~~~

We are very sorry to be damaged the 21^st big typhoon and the serious earthquake in Hokkaido (North island of Japan). They are still unrecovered but the feeling of people must get well.

“Collaboration” has been kept the popular position and make people happy, especially with food.

Atelier “BINOSEI” had held some fashion shows with lunch/tea/concert in every 3 years. The audience was much satisfied than we expected !  In future, we will plan the event becomes smaller than before and more frequently because no one can predict the future and the participants want to be closed each other.

These photos are made to show our recent works for getting some new collaboration.

How do you think our event with what ? With food?

What is important for us ? I saw a news reporting the Royal engagement on 12^th of August. The ceremony was very simple. The offering rapping was tied a few fine “MIZUHIKI” over a raw wood box. I was so moved that the simplicity brought “dignity”. The Royal family respects dignity.

On the other hand, people value gorgeous and dazzling. This ceremony had been started by Royal family in 4~5century, and adjusted by court/samurai family through Muromati period, and become gorgeous by rich merchants in Edo period. Recently, this ceremony has been simplified by their rationality. One of Japanese traditional art works “MIZUHIKI” can’t see any more ? Let’s introduce some pictures of “MIZUHIKI” art works here.

KIMONO will also die out in course of time like “MIZUHIKI” ? Of course not ! I will do my best to leave them as KIMONO remake dresses in future.

Again, what is important ? What is essence ? What is genuine ?

Kyoto Gion festival has been continued by the rich merchants and citizen with extraordinary strong will since ancient period. “Kyoto” is a world-wide brand to gather many visitors from domestic and abroad areas. And, this is a good opportunity for young people to wear “YUKATA Kimono” which is cotton made in summer season.

I had visited for study to “Sanjyo Workshop of WAKOSYA” near the Museum of Kyoto which is an embroidery restoration atelier. The artist was working to cut off the disused padding fabric. Beautiful shiny embroidery yarns, spinning wheels and stitching sample were beside her. Some elaborate gorgeous embroidery works such as a heavenly maiden/a Chinese phoenix, happy fowls by artist Jyakucyu Itoh were shown, emphasizing ancient skillful artisan workmanship. The faint away delicate hand-made embroidery could be revived lively. I was impressed and sympathized with this artisan spirit. I am also absorbed in remaking KIMONO to KIMONO DRESS because of showing the beautiful Kimono fabric in future.

This atelier is famous for the restoration of decorations on Gion Festival wagon. They were introduced one of the works on newspaper.

And I went to the exhibition of UKIYOE such as HOKUSAI/HIROSHIGE/UTAMARO etc. Many UKIYOE are not in Japan and give some influence to famous artists such as Vincent van Gogh. Foreign people can evaluate the Japanese traditional beauty ?

I realized the two different footsteps of Japanese art in one day.  I feel complicated ~~~

KIMONO fabric has expressed Japanese culture. The flower motif on Summer KIMONO let us feel “cool” .  My KIMONO dress is more comfortable than KIMONO style especially in summer because silk material is also good at this season but KIMONO stile is layered very tightly.

From the beginning, some photos show summer plants in botanical garden near my house. Let’s be relax and release some stress !!

I have enjoyed my life with thrice energy.

My jobs including secretary, teacher, textile and garment designer, pattern-maker, Planner, Coordinator, MC, singer are now ripening together. I did a good job as a MC in a chanson concert yesterday. My improvised comment was well worked through my singer and copy-writer experience. My remade jacket from KIMONO was also good.

I always make thing from zero, train to do all processes by myself, and brush up my sense.

On the other hand, I had challenged to my weak point, such as singing a song. I took lessons to be a professional singer and appeared on the dinner show stage every month for 6 months and in my fashion show. A mike becomes my partner. Let’s show some pictures ! All of my clothes were “KIMONO remade dress”. My clients were satisfied very much and requested to do continuously.

As my fashion show in New York 2014 was through incredible relationship, I would increase my “exposure”. I will enjoy my life only once whatever I want ~~~

The book publish party was held by “WANOBI-Beautiful Japan” corporation in Inter-continental Hotel Osaka. The name of book is “The Quick Guide to Traditional Japanese Arts and Handicrafts”.

It must be very useful to introduce what is Japanese culture. It was too hard to explain about Japanese culture when I entered to an American university.

There were many KIMONO styled gentlemen and ladies. Ladies KIMONO is very beautiful and gorgeous except tightness. I couldn’t put KIMONO after the business seminar. But my remade KIMONO Dress got many good reputation. The reason is elegant shiny fabric which is never product more and showing the all parts of KIMONO. It is one of “Compromise between Japanese and European styles” , no doubt ~~~

The interior of this hotel is too. Some photos are introduced here. The second floor is woody and the third floor is glass and metal. I love their taste very much ! They are refined art works, my favorite taste !!!

The combination of KIMONO and OBI is very amazing even though Japanese.

The image has been changed by OBI belt.  Our client had requested to keep the same image when she put the KIMONO style.  Our registered “TASUKI KOSODE” is suitable for this remade. It can be also coordinated to black solid clothes elegantly.

Let’s introduce The Shigeko Ikeda collection to show two perfect coordinations of KIMONO, OBI and OBI-DOME brooch. How amazing !!!

What do you want to eat ?

There are many variation of cuisine including Japanese, French, Italian, and Chinese.

KIMONO fabric is same as cuisine, although people understand KIMONO is Japanese.

Of course, KIMONO style is Japanese, but the motif of textile has many variations.

Especially, foreign image motif had been popular since 1960. My remade dress from KIMONO

can be created by unlimited ways. And the taste will be changed to strong or light.

For example, from KIMONO with showy color or motif to western clothes less strong image.

Vs versa…

＊Pink colored long jacket of “Mallorca” image motif with solid gray accent

＊Black colored flared hem dress with ethnic chintz on tops from bridal KIMONO

＊Green jacket with small motif from vivid colored border KIMONO

＊Black blouse with pretty colored flower embroidery and “SHIBORI”.

The big embroidery part is good at interior.

My pleasure is to go to see cherry blossoms and entertainments of “Yukisiro” show in every spring.

“Yukisiro” show is held by an actress, Keiko Yukisiro. The cherry blossoms can be seen in Osaka Ryokuti park where the flower exhibition was held in 1990.

There are many cherry trees and ponds like paradise. Some countries buildings still exist there, remaining each taste of culture. The atmosphere changed completely to stillness. It is a best spot !!!Next time, we will go there again with lunch boxes. Cherry blossoms bring happiness for us !!!

On the other hands, there were many guests wearing pink colored Kimonos and dresses in the “Yukisiro” show. Japanese people love nature and enjoy each season. I would keep this mind in future. My friend stood on the stage wearing remade clothes from her mother’s bridal Kimono. And my Kimono dress also got some good reputations.

The play with Japanese music instrument “Samisen”, classic dances, singing songs were well trained.

The brightness of full bloom was not only cherry blossoms but also entertainments ~~~