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Summer Yukata 浴衣

夏 With the heat upon us and with spending more time outdoors, what could be better than wearing absolute comfort throughout the summer.

YU-KA-TA – 浴衣

A yukata is a summer unlined Kimono usually made of cotton, literally meaning “bathing cloth”. Worn by men and women with straight-cut fabric and wide sleeves. With a bout of good weather, they can be seen worn all over Japan. Their versatile, adaptable, stylish and comfortable form making them popular with all generations, and flattering for all body shapes. They are designed to wrap around your body as opposed to western clothing that is cut to fit your body. The Yukata is folded left over right and tied in place with an Obi or a sash as is included with each Kimono Oi Yukata.

INDIGO & POP!

There are new unisex additions to both our collections such as our hand-painted indigo to pattern our cotton Indigo Yukata. Our Pop line comprises of lightweight printed natural cotton and thicker striped cotton for snug home comfort. Each Yukata comes with a matching sash and built-in pockets for added function. View the collection by clicking on the images below.

  • Yukata
    Yukata
    £197
Yukata cotton

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Shibori & Indigo: The lovers of Kiiro

Shibori is the ancient Japanese craft of resist-dyeing – a technique used to embellish cloth in Japan for over 4000 years. The Japanese verb Shiboru means “to wring, squeeze, press”. Shibori requires manipulating the cloth by tying, twisting, folding, scrunching, and then securing the fabric before exposing it to dye. Areas with more resistance will not absorb the dye. One can find Shibori in textiles for fashion and interiors. The mysterious and spontaneous qualities of Shibori inspire many from all over the world, as such its patterns and tactile approach enjoy very high popularity.

Why is the Shibori kimono crop by Kiiro unique?

For our Indigo line, we favour the Japanese hand resist dyeing technique Shibori to create our patterns, making every piece completely unique – no two pieces are the same. The Indigo Crop Kimono is made from 100% silk produced in Vietnam.

As with all our kimonos from the Indigo Line, we also dye the fabrics using locally sourced natural indigo in Vietnam.

Why Kiiro love Shibori?

Aside from each piece always being completely unique, there is a beautiful and sublime imperfection to a Shibori design. You can account for a lot in planning, but the element of surprise will prevail, giving you more than what you intended. The aesthetic can often be described as one of beauty that is imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete. This is a concept derived from Buddhist teachings of the three marks of existence. Richard Powell shares three similar realities – “Nothing lasts, nothing is finished and nothing is perfect” This is why Kimono Oi love Shibori.

Wabi Sabi – Lilly’s Long Time Obsession

An early philosophy Lilly Wong of Kiro applied to her art and teaching practices during her uni days; all art students should take a leaf out of the book – “Wabi-Sabi for Artists, Designers, Poets & Philosophers” by Leonard Koren. Eastern Asian aesthetics is one of the most beautiful and sublime.

The Wabi-Sabi book represents a Japanese world view or aesthetic centred on the acceptance of transience and imperfection. The aesthetic is sometimes described as one of beauty that is “imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete”.

How Kiiro uses Shibori

Shibori can be meticulously prepared, with each pattern planned and repeated. Kimono Oi use their playful nature, utilising accident and chance, only applying an element of control and leaving the rest to the unknown.

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Kimono Ơi Pops Up! #1 Soma

Kimono Ơi has held a #checkout #tryon #takehome event at Soma Saigon. It was a great pleasure and opportunity to invite everyone to try our Kimonos on in person. It was a fun and successful event with happy new Kimono Oi owners. Check out the gallery below!

Soma is one of the cities great bar and events spaces with delicious, seasonal & healthy food provided by Chef Rohan of The Green Box.