Its becoming a bit of a trend for British designers to be using kimono fabric, so it pains me to admit that I'm getting more and more into the stuff. No designer wants to admit to following a trend, we all want to be the origin of such things, but I have to say my interest has developed purely by chance. Its not about it being Japanese, or that the idea sounds more exotic, as opposed to say, just using British vintage fabric. The Kimono fabric designs I choose, are often quite subtle generic prints, and don't necessarily feel Japanese. In fact, I don't want the fabric to feel Japanese, I like the idea that it could come from anywhere. I love that these beautiful fabrics can be bought relatively cheaply and yet still have so much history and amazing handmade detail. These fabrics were once kimonos, but have been unpicked, carefully pressed and then rolled up to be sold on again. The fact that the fabric has such history, but is still completely intact and uncut is just so perfect. As long as the print/weave works for me, I don't actually care where the fabric originates, its design and history are what interests me, plus the fact that the fabric comes in 10m+ roles so is plenty to work with.
Its becoming a bit of a trend for British designers to be using kimono fabric, so it pains me to admit that I'm getting more and more into the stuff. No designer wants to admit to following a trend, we all want to be the origin of such things, but I have to say my interest has developed purely by chance. Its not about it being Japanese, or that the idea sounds more exotic, as opposed to say, just using British vintage fabric. The Kimono fabric designs I choose, are often quite subtle generic prints, and don't necessarily feel Japanese. In fact, I don't want the fabric to feel Japanese, I like the idea that it could come from anywhere. I love that these beautiful fabrics can be bought relatively cheaply and yet still have so much history and amazing handmade detail. These fabrics were once kimonos, but have been unpicked, carefully pressed and then rolled up to be sold on again. The fact that the fabric has such history, but is still completely intact and uncut is just so perfect. As long as the print/weave works for me, I don't actually care where the fabric originates, its design and history are what interests me, plus the fact that the fabric comes in 10m+ roles so is plenty to work with.
