We Love Kimono Project 2
Although Mamiya-san has produced hundreds of kimono and obi during his long career as a kimono retailer, the We Love Kimono Project was a new challenge for him.
Previously, Mamiya-san either produced a kimono to match an existing obi, or a new obi to match an existing kimono. With this project, however, he would produce both a new kimono and a new obi simultaneously. Where to start? How to communicate with both the obi maker and the kimono maker? Mamiya-san had many things to explore.
I really wanted the obi to be made by Katsuyama-san. Although he was not willing to make any more summer obi due to the lack of demand, thanks to Reiko-san’s persuasive pitch, Katsuyama-san agreed to make one for me, utilizing one of Rakufulin‘s designs.
The starting point was choosing the obi design.
Reiko-san sent me photos of two obi designs, recommended by Katsuyama-san.
One was called Shippo七宝. Four oval shapes overlap one another. With the literal meaning “seven treasures”, the design is one of the traditional Yusoku 有職 designs, cherished by Japanese aristocrats for more than a thousand years.
The other one was called Islamic Flower, an original design of Rakufulin, created from Horie-san’s fabric collections.
I like both! How can I choose one? That’s when Mamiya-san came to rescue me.
After seeing several photos of me in a kimono, he recommended the second one. “The first one would look a little too soft on you. The second one is more impactful and better suited for you.” OK, Mamiya-san. I will follow your suggestion. One decision was made.