For ten years, my mother spend so much time doing all kinds of shit that she never had time to be a mother.
For ten years, your mother spent so much time being a mother to all of us that she never had time for herself.
So what do you say to that? What can anyone say? Words only express fragments of ideas, fog compared to frosted glass.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Introducing Bebe Taian!
Bebe Taian is my newest venture. For the longest time I have wanted to sell kimono and Japanese new and vintage items. Now is my chance! Finally, I was able to sink some money into the project. It only fits that I should have a new blog as well! But don't worry, it isn't all talk of sales. A lot of it will be about culture, trends, and kimono. <3
Bebe Taian - http://bebetaian.blogspot.com/
Bebe Taian - http://bebetaian.blogspot.com/
Monday, June 14, 2010
Thursday, December 31, 2009
I kind of want to do a 'net show.
You know, a periodic cam show on topics of interest, namely, culture and fashion. Two topics I'm actually pretty big on- while you'll never see me following the latest runway styles, and I rarely shop for new clothes, I do really love my ideas of style.
"High" fashion I see little point to. It's impractical, gaudy, unrealistic, and far too expensive. No one actually wears it! Unless you're a celebrity like Lady Gaga, in which case, you yourself are probably a little impractical and gaudy.
I saw a gold dress in International Mall a few years back for over $2,000. It was two feet too long for me, and the size 0 waist could fit around my thigh. For reference, my actual waist is only about 24". Even if I had the money, it wouldn't work. Besides, if I'm going to spend that kind of money, I want REAL art! And naturally, I have fallen in love with a country of dying art.
Japanese traditional kimono makers, wig and hair stylists, and hairpin makers are almost nonexistent today. I collect antique kimono over modern ones not only because I love the style more, but because I know they were made in Japan by an artist who studied for years to do what they loved and dedicated themselves to. They were artists! And an artist is never satisfied- he is never good enough, never dedicated enough to his work. Every piece is a part of his imagination, every line a careful stroke of dye. Have you ever heard of shibori? It's like tie dye- but instead of a few rubber bands in large, looping circles, it's thousands of minuscule threads endlessly wrapped and resist-dyed to form gorgeous patterns. One day, I hope to be lucky enough to own one of these fabulous pieces.
But it isn't only Japanese culture through clothing that I want to explore. It's various styles of Middle Eastern women's clothing- contrary to what the news portrays, those women in Saudi Arabia have some very, very decadent clothes. The black abaya can be very formal and modest, but the higher-end ones are often hand-beaded in heavy, intricate patterns in gold, red, green, silver... they are beautiful. And gauzy, floating as the person walks. Also, despite how counterintuitive some think it is, the hijab can be very comfortable and wearable, even in Florida heat. It protects the hair and parts of the face from sun damage, something Arabic women knew allllll about. I'd also like to see many styles of Indian clothing! I used to own a few sari that I loved, but I have since given one away, and have no idea what happened to the other. I know I had it when I moved in with my husband over a year ago, but where is it now? I have no idea.
But, I have no idea how to do this. Surely, with a webcam of some sorts- but programs? Editing? I have no idea where to even begin. I've never done something like this before. But at some point, I would like to try. Perhaps a twice-monthly video or something, whenever I get something new or have time to make a good video. I don't want to do something gabby and filled with "you know..." and giggles like some girls' Youtube videos. "OMG I LOVE it!!1" every ten seconds. You know the ones. I want something fun and informative! To write it well, and to demonstrate as well. And most of all, I want to take something back from them too- comments from viewers who have more ideas, corrections, additional information for a second show. Something new and interesting.
Do you think this will be possible?
<3
"High" fashion I see little point to. It's impractical, gaudy, unrealistic, and far too expensive. No one actually wears it! Unless you're a celebrity like Lady Gaga, in which case, you yourself are probably a little impractical and gaudy.
I saw a gold dress in International Mall a few years back for over $2,000. It was two feet too long for me, and the size 0 waist could fit around my thigh. For reference, my actual waist is only about 24". Even if I had the money, it wouldn't work. Besides, if I'm going to spend that kind of money, I want REAL art! And naturally, I have fallen in love with a country of dying art.
Japanese traditional kimono makers, wig and hair stylists, and hairpin makers are almost nonexistent today. I collect antique kimono over modern ones not only because I love the style more, but because I know they were made in Japan by an artist who studied for years to do what they loved and dedicated themselves to. They were artists! And an artist is never satisfied- he is never good enough, never dedicated enough to his work. Every piece is a part of his imagination, every line a careful stroke of dye. Have you ever heard of shibori? It's like tie dye- but instead of a few rubber bands in large, looping circles, it's thousands of minuscule threads endlessly wrapped and resist-dyed to form gorgeous patterns. One day, I hope to be lucky enough to own one of these fabulous pieces.
But it isn't only Japanese culture through clothing that I want to explore. It's various styles of Middle Eastern women's clothing- contrary to what the news portrays, those women in Saudi Arabia have some very, very decadent clothes. The black abaya can be very formal and modest, but the higher-end ones are often hand-beaded in heavy, intricate patterns in gold, red, green, silver... they are beautiful. And gauzy, floating as the person walks. Also, despite how counterintuitive some think it is, the hijab can be very comfortable and wearable, even in Florida heat. It protects the hair and parts of the face from sun damage, something Arabic women knew allllll about. I'd also like to see many styles of Indian clothing! I used to own a few sari that I loved, but I have since given one away, and have no idea what happened to the other. I know I had it when I moved in with my husband over a year ago, but where is it now? I have no idea.
But, I have no idea how to do this. Surely, with a webcam of some sorts- but programs? Editing? I have no idea where to even begin. I've never done something like this before. But at some point, I would like to try. Perhaps a twice-monthly video or something, whenever I get something new or have time to make a good video. I don't want to do something gabby and filled with "you know..." and giggles like some girls' Youtube videos. "OMG I LOVE it!!1" every ten seconds. You know the ones. I want something fun and informative! To write it well, and to demonstrate as well. And most of all, I want to take something back from them too- comments from viewers who have more ideas, corrections, additional information for a second show. Something new and interesting.
Do you think this will be possible?
<3
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Taisho Kimono Love
I'm in love with Taisho kimono. Before, I wasn't- the bright colours and odd patterns didn't really appeal to me at all. I liked faded, muted colours with simple patterns, or black. Thus, why my first few kimono were kurotomesode. I was old before I was elderly. But now, I embrace the Taisho spirit- artistic, flamboyant, at a time when new dyes and colours were first being introduced to Japan. For the first time, use of colour amongst all ages was possible, and gone were the faded grey-blues, blacks, and whites of Meiji era. The pastel days would not return in such vogue again until the 60's-70's, when a stark neon green or deep red was the closest anyone would get to bold, vibrant colour.
Today, of course, colours are bright and spectacular on kimono. However, they do not have the same feel to me- I have owned some contemporary kimono, and it really isn't the same. With the prevalance of unbreathing synthetics, the overdone and repetitive patterns and... they're all the same. I don't know who is left designing these days, but geesh. The kimono are not usually even made in Japan anymore; they're made overseas with Brazilian or Chinese silks and rayons, polyesters, or acrylics. They feel awful to wear, although they may be less prone to wrinkling and sometimes sit nicer. However, they most certainly do not have the ventilation that natural silks and wools do, and they do not move or drape the same way that natural fabrics do. Despite all of their modern splendor, they are, for lack of better terms, inferior.
I realise that today's economy perhaps cannot support the expense of ceremonial kimono made by artisans, however, I think this is largely because of the lack of artisans in the country. There are fewer than ten kimono makers in all of Japan, fewer than five traditional kanzashi makers, and fewer and fewer oboko and professional shoe makers. Many items we see today are mass-produced and machine-made. This drops the price (although not by much, it seems) but the quality and workmanship suffers. It has put people out of jobs, and worse, is causing a massive loss of their unique traditional culture. The last great patrons of these traditional artists are the geiko of Kyoto, who may buy dozens of kimono each year, per person, each one designed and handmade for them. Without the geiko spending so much on these traditional art pieces, there will be no point to produce anymore- there will be no one to buy, and no reason to pass on the trade. Many artists have already given up on training apprentices; it sometimes takes decades to train someone properly in the art, and many artists are elderly. They literally don't have time to train newcomers. The geiko population is dwindling to almost nothing as well, and when they go, so will the last bastions of their culture.
So with this in mind, I have my mission of preserving old kimono as best as I can, and especially showing my love of Taisho-era pieces. They make me feel young. Taisho often had bright, but sometimes more luxurious and sophisticated patterns. Many kimono, of course, had a art deco-modern look with colours and patterns that bordered on gaudy, but many surviving Taisho kimono also have wonderful traditional patterns from when kimono were still changed every month or every season. It is difficult to find them without large stains or damage; Taisho kimono had to survive a lot to get this far!
There was a great earthquake on Sept. 1 of 1923 (Taisho 1912-1926), one of the greatest in world history, that hit the Kanto plain, destroying Tokyo, Yokohama, and many surroundings. Tokyo is the major city we all know, and was capital city even then. It was a major hub of people, of course, meaning that many kimono were stored where people had money. About 140,000 people died in the Kanto Earthquake, either from the quake itself, or the resulting fires and damages. This earthquake was part of the reason kimono wearing fell so out of favour, and the new preference became Western clothing.
Also, the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and in general, the war of that era, brought another downfall to kimono and the survival of existing kimono of that age. Kimono were considered to be a luxury item, and fabric was hard to come by. Many magazines had come out, such as Shufu no Tomo, showing how to reuse fabric to make other things, such as altering a kimono that had gotten old or stained into pillows, juban, jackets, etc. Of course, these publications had other practical purposes- it shows the Japanese habit of never letting things go to waste. However I am sure it helped a lot to see what could be done with the fabric when one didn't want to let go of the original article. After those times, interest in kimono generally waned until now, when it is nearly non-existant.
The kimono that survived are obviously damaged in some way; very often, it is staining from various things, water damage, improper storing, and sometimes merely age. Silk turns brown and spotty as it gets older naturally. Some can be carefully removed; some are easily hidden. Some are too damaged to wear, but can still be made into other things, the stained fabric cleaned and used for padding in hems. I try to buy only the kimono I can actually wear for right now because money is so tight. They are my only luxury expense, and I usually manage one or two "new" pieces a year. This year I am trying for a purple or blue Taisho kimono with ume (plum blossom) patterns, but it will depend on financing. I hope to manage one and be able to wear it by February, the end of winter season! I just purchased a very inexpensive but beautiful red and gold ume-patterned obi that I hope to wear with it. The same obi matches a few of my other kimono, so it by itself is a good addition to the wardrobe!
Today, of course, colours are bright and spectacular on kimono. However, they do not have the same feel to me- I have owned some contemporary kimono, and it really isn't the same. With the prevalance of unbreathing synthetics, the overdone and repetitive patterns and... they're all the same. I don't know who is left designing these days, but geesh. The kimono are not usually even made in Japan anymore; they're made overseas with Brazilian or Chinese silks and rayons, polyesters, or acrylics. They feel awful to wear, although they may be less prone to wrinkling and sometimes sit nicer. However, they most certainly do not have the ventilation that natural silks and wools do, and they do not move or drape the same way that natural fabrics do. Despite all of their modern splendor, they are, for lack of better terms, inferior.
I realise that today's economy perhaps cannot support the expense of ceremonial kimono made by artisans, however, I think this is largely because of the lack of artisans in the country. There are fewer than ten kimono makers in all of Japan, fewer than five traditional kanzashi makers, and fewer and fewer oboko and professional shoe makers. Many items we see today are mass-produced and machine-made. This drops the price (although not by much, it seems) but the quality and workmanship suffers. It has put people out of jobs, and worse, is causing a massive loss of their unique traditional culture. The last great patrons of these traditional artists are the geiko of Kyoto, who may buy dozens of kimono each year, per person, each one designed and handmade for them. Without the geiko spending so much on these traditional art pieces, there will be no point to produce anymore- there will be no one to buy, and no reason to pass on the trade. Many artists have already given up on training apprentices; it sometimes takes decades to train someone properly in the art, and many artists are elderly. They literally don't have time to train newcomers. The geiko population is dwindling to almost nothing as well, and when they go, so will the last bastions of their culture.
So with this in mind, I have my mission of preserving old kimono as best as I can, and especially showing my love of Taisho-era pieces. They make me feel young. Taisho often had bright, but sometimes more luxurious and sophisticated patterns. Many kimono, of course, had a art deco-modern look with colours and patterns that bordered on gaudy, but many surviving Taisho kimono also have wonderful traditional patterns from when kimono were still changed every month or every season. It is difficult to find them without large stains or damage; Taisho kimono had to survive a lot to get this far!
There was a great earthquake on Sept. 1 of 1923 (Taisho 1912-1926), one of the greatest in world history, that hit the Kanto plain, destroying Tokyo, Yokohama, and many surroundings. Tokyo is the major city we all know, and was capital city even then. It was a major hub of people, of course, meaning that many kimono were stored where people had money. About 140,000 people died in the Kanto Earthquake, either from the quake itself, or the resulting fires and damages. This earthquake was part of the reason kimono wearing fell so out of favour, and the new preference became Western clothing.
Also, the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and in general, the war of that era, brought another downfall to kimono and the survival of existing kimono of that age. Kimono were considered to be a luxury item, and fabric was hard to come by. Many magazines had come out, such as Shufu no Tomo, showing how to reuse fabric to make other things, such as altering a kimono that had gotten old or stained into pillows, juban, jackets, etc. Of course, these publications had other practical purposes- it shows the Japanese habit of never letting things go to waste. However I am sure it helped a lot to see what could be done with the fabric when one didn't want to let go of the original article. After those times, interest in kimono generally waned until now, when it is nearly non-existant.
The kimono that survived are obviously damaged in some way; very often, it is staining from various things, water damage, improper storing, and sometimes merely age. Silk turns brown and spotty as it gets older naturally. Some can be carefully removed; some are easily hidden. Some are too damaged to wear, but can still be made into other things, the stained fabric cleaned and used for padding in hems. I try to buy only the kimono I can actually wear for right now because money is so tight. They are my only luxury expense, and I usually manage one or two "new" pieces a year. This year I am trying for a purple or blue Taisho kimono with ume (plum blossom) patterns, but it will depend on financing. I hope to manage one and be able to wear it by February, the end of winter season! I just purchased a very inexpensive but beautiful red and gold ume-patterned obi that I hope to wear with it. The same obi matches a few of my other kimono, so it by itself is a good addition to the wardrobe!
Friday, December 18, 2009
Destashing!
I want to rearrange the living room, but I feel that I'm stuck until I know how I want things. I sat here looking around at stuff and I still can't figure it out. I think a more functional desk is in order to hold files and office supplies, and the computer, but that's not an option yet. So instead, I'm going to try and reduce my need to reorganise by... reorganising something else.
That's right.
A house-wide destash spree. Well, not house-wide, since it's a small apartment, but even so. I think some of it just HAS to GO. Yarns of all kinds, fabrics of all kinds, one or two kimono, a lot of the jewellery I've made, things I no longer wear, old computer parts can be cleaned up and sold... it's time to get rid of EVERYTHING. Come Christmas, some of the stuff in the closet is going already, since it's wrapping paper and whatnot. But the rest... I just don't know. And most of it's mine, not my guy's stuff. I just think all this space could be used better.
By January, I'll have it all taken care of. I'd like to do a trade or something at some point after Christmas- useful things in exchange for fabrics and whatnot. I need cookie sheets, one of those nut chopper things like my grandmother had, stuff like that. Video games, older ones for SNES or N64, would be awesome. Movies, soaps, shampoos, all kinds of things.
All for now.
That's right.
A house-wide destash spree. Well, not house-wide, since it's a small apartment, but even so. I think some of it just HAS to GO. Yarns of all kinds, fabrics of all kinds, one or two kimono, a lot of the jewellery I've made, things I no longer wear, old computer parts can be cleaned up and sold... it's time to get rid of EVERYTHING. Come Christmas, some of the stuff in the closet is going already, since it's wrapping paper and whatnot. But the rest... I just don't know. And most of it's mine, not my guy's stuff. I just think all this space could be used better.
By January, I'll have it all taken care of. I'd like to do a trade or something at some point after Christmas- useful things in exchange for fabrics and whatnot. I need cookie sheets, one of those nut chopper things like my grandmother had, stuff like that. Video games, older ones for SNES or N64, would be awesome. Movies, soaps, shampoos, all kinds of things.
All for now.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Scarf is finished~
I ended up having to buy a new sewing machine. Unfortunately, the new Singer (on factory settings) still sometimes starts feeding the fabric into the bobbin when it has issues threading properly. Fortunately, I kept the packaging, and I'm pretty sure I kept the receipt. I hope I did. I know I had it when I brought it home... I'm just not sure what happened since then. So I'll just return it, and contact Singer about my old one. It isn't out of the ten year warranty period yet. I should have called them a few years ago when I got it and it started having problems. ::sigh:: This is why I don't sew. At least, I don't sew very often.
But I finished the scarf this morning and shipped it out with all kinds of goodies. Then I went to visit the vintage shop and cleaned up a little after getting home. Made food. Hunneh came home. Made him food. He asked for cookies. I went to store. Came home. Made cookies. Made cookies from 7pm-12:30am straight. OMFG that's a lot of cookies. I have three tins and a large glass tray full, not including all the ones we ate tonight. I'm stuffed with frosted gingerbread. Yes, I made the icing too. Gingerbread needs royal icing.
I get my glasses tomorrow. <3 Finally, I'll be able to see again! w00t~
All for now.
But I finished the scarf this morning and shipped it out with all kinds of goodies. Then I went to visit the vintage shop and cleaned up a little after getting home. Made food. Hunneh came home. Made him food. He asked for cookies. I went to store. Came home. Made cookies. Made cookies from 7pm-12:30am straight. OMFG that's a lot of cookies. I have three tins and a large glass tray full, not including all the ones we ate tonight. I'm stuffed with frosted gingerbread. Yes, I made the icing too. Gingerbread needs royal icing.
I get my glasses tomorrow. <3 Finally, I'll be able to see again! w00t~
All for now.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Okay, I lied.
That scarf project is a piece of work. My hand-sewing is terrible. I can't really see very well to begin with, so it's hard to see whether my stitching is even or not, and constantly having to smooth velvet (which stretches) is not exactly helping, either. Arrgh. Still, I WILL have it done by tomorrow! It's already a week late!
It seems I have not stopped crafting as I said I would, though. I saw some things in magazines my aunt had given me and wanted them... so I tried to make them. It's coming slowly but surely.
Tomorrow, I need to get:
Small amount of orange cotton
Black Velcro
Silver and gold headpins
Gold wire
Chains for necklaces
I also made a few Christmas-y type things, which I never do. It was new to me, so I figured now was the time... I'll post them tomorrow. I also now offer Priority Mail shipping for the hols.
I need to order more supplies. Hopefully, with a couple more big sales, I can do that. It will be much cheaper ordering all at once than having to go across town to the craft store and paying so much for them! In the end, being able to order supplies will cut down costs for the people buying. I also want to one day be able to order more high-end pieces, like sterling silver and gold, stone and such. I need to find less expensive places to do that, since I do not have any startup capital. Everything I have been selling, most of it is from supply stashes I maintained over the years of just making things for myself and for friends. Some was given to me, but not much of it. So I had a little to work with in the beginning. For example, one spool of wire I'm working with now was purchased originally for a school project- ten years ago! It is half-full.
Got to get back to scarf-making. Maybe I can convince the people at the craft store to lend me a machine. <3 Wish me luck!
It seems I have not stopped crafting as I said I would, though. I saw some things in magazines my aunt had given me and wanted them... so I tried to make them. It's coming slowly but surely.
Tomorrow, I need to get:
Small amount of orange cotton
Black Velcro
Silver and gold headpins
Gold wire
Chains for necklaces
I also made a few Christmas-y type things, which I never do. It was new to me, so I figured now was the time... I'll post them tomorrow. I also now offer Priority Mail shipping for the hols.
I need to order more supplies. Hopefully, with a couple more big sales, I can do that. It will be much cheaper ordering all at once than having to go across town to the craft store and paying so much for them! In the end, being able to order supplies will cut down costs for the people buying. I also want to one day be able to order more high-end pieces, like sterling silver and gold, stone and such. I need to find less expensive places to do that, since I do not have any startup capital. Everything I have been selling, most of it is from supply stashes I maintained over the years of just making things for myself and for friends. Some was given to me, but not much of it. So I had a little to work with in the beginning. For example, one spool of wire I'm working with now was purchased originally for a school project- ten years ago! It is half-full.
Got to get back to scarf-making. Maybe I can convince the people at the craft store to lend me a machine. <3 Wish me luck!
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Yay for trades- again!
I'm doing another trade with DivineCanine- she makes excellent dog and sometimes cat treats and other items, like shampoos, deodorisers, and charm bracelets. Which means I get to turn over bead stock and bring in liver treats for happy cats!
In other good news, I made a few sales this week. It's paying for Christmas presents, which I am also trying to buy on Etsy. I'm getting Rick a special surprise of Etsy, too. I think he'll love it. >D
Things have been so busy here, with me trying to get a job and all. If I manage to land one, I may wrap and label all the Christmas gifts early so that I don't get stuck doing it all last minute. I also need to start making the Christmas gifts for the family, which I would also put off til the last minute... considering I should have started them a month ago. Right now, I've been working on a scarf on and off for about two weeks. It was only supposed to take two or three days at the MOST, but my sewing machine is broken... AGAIN. Jeezus christ, I swear, it ONLY breaks when I actually NEED it. And my hand sewing SUCKS. Badly. I can't sew a straight line at all, ever, and I tend to accidentally stretch fabrics in odd ways while sewing so it never comes out right. Which means I have to undo the whole thing again and again until I get it right. Arrrggh. It was supposed to be sent out last Tuesday! At least I have the rest of the package: cookies and candied ginger. ^_^ By now, though, I'll have to make a new batch. And I'll add in some muffins. Banana nut coffee muffins.
So glad I bought most of my Christmas gifts as far back as April. Gotta get started on more projects, and try to finish that scarf. All for now!
In other good news, I made a few sales this week. It's paying for Christmas presents, which I am also trying to buy on Etsy. I'm getting Rick a special surprise of Etsy, too. I think he'll love it. >D
Things have been so busy here, with me trying to get a job and all. If I manage to land one, I may wrap and label all the Christmas gifts early so that I don't get stuck doing it all last minute. I also need to start making the Christmas gifts for the family, which I would also put off til the last minute... considering I should have started them a month ago. Right now, I've been working on a scarf on and off for about two weeks. It was only supposed to take two or three days at the MOST, but my sewing machine is broken... AGAIN. Jeezus christ, I swear, it ONLY breaks when I actually NEED it. And my hand sewing SUCKS. Badly. I can't sew a straight line at all, ever, and I tend to accidentally stretch fabrics in odd ways while sewing so it never comes out right. Which means I have to undo the whole thing again and again until I get it right. Arrrggh. It was supposed to be sent out last Tuesday! At least I have the rest of the package: cookies and candied ginger. ^_^ By now, though, I'll have to make a new batch. And I'll add in some muffins. Banana nut coffee muffins.
So glad I bought most of my Christmas gifts as far back as April. Gotta get started on more projects, and try to finish that scarf. All for now!
Friday, November 27, 2009
I'm in love with my new kimono!
If I haven't mentioned it yet, I have a new kimono and (finally!) haori. The haori is pale pink silk and may go with my silvery-grey pine needle kimono and it's mint green and pink obi. In any case, I have a way to display my beaded haori himo.
The beaded haori himo trend has not caught on yet, and I'm a little surprised as to why. Traditional haori himo (ties for the kimono jacket) are a beautiful and unappreciated work, to be sure, but these days most are made by machine, not by traditional kumihimo artisans. They are also somewhat intensive to replace- one must either cut the threads to the haori collar to get to the loops the himo are attached to, remove the himo and put a new set on, OR they must cut the straps to the himo and leave them off, not replacing them at all.
Beaded haori himo are not this complex or time-consuming. Endlessly interchangeable and unique, with versatile colouring and patterning abilities, they are easily put on and taken off. On each end is a large jump ring which can be attached to the loops of the haori. Haori are often big enough to where you can lift them straight off without undoing the front, but a large lobster clasp could also be attached to one side for removal purposes. They are also half the price of the average set of new himo, around $7 instead of the usual $12-15. Himo are even more expensive when they are new when buying in Japan! So beaded haori himo are all-around a better choice if one has less than traditional style, as many girls who still wear kimono do.
KimonoHIME is one such fashion trend, originating in the early 2000's with the release of KimonoHIME magazine. KimonoHIME magazine featured many Taisho (1912-1926) kimono and other vintage items worn with modern and nontraditional accessories and alterations, such as velvet collars (a nod to the Edo-era trend of rich girls wearing black velvet collars to show their wealth), lace, tall boots, or a strand of pearls around the waist instead of a silk obijime. Beaded himo fit right in with this fashion!
KimonoHIME is not really about peculiar fashion taste- the magazine shows fanciful examples of what could be done. It is about breaking the "new-old" tradition and making kimono alive and new again, and not being afraid of or looking down on wearing older or secondhand kimono. Kimono-making is a dying art. There are fewer than five kimono makers left in the country. Most designs today are no longer made on the finer Japanese silks- they are printed on Chinese or Brazilian silks and imported from elsewhere. This is heartbreaking, considering that once, kimono were made by a person selecting a white bolt of fabric, being measured in over 30 ways, and selecting patterns or suggesting ideas to an artist before having a fine kimono made. Each were a one of a kind work of art made specifically for the wearer. Now, they are rarely purchased, and more often rented or not worn at all. The KimonoHIME girls and women like Mamechiyo want to bring them back!
I am happy to have my new modern black and orange kimono. Normally I do not buy modern kimono, as I don't like the materials or style. But this one was different... it is very informal, so I won't wear it many places, but the colour suited my taste at the time, and because it is synthetic, it will not break down in the wet, humid days, nor fade in the light. I also have a white, orange, and black obi to go with it. I believe it is Nagoya-style, so it will be easier to wear. Now I just have to get accessories!
The beaded haori himo trend has not caught on yet, and I'm a little surprised as to why. Traditional haori himo (ties for the kimono jacket) are a beautiful and unappreciated work, to be sure, but these days most are made by machine, not by traditional kumihimo artisans. They are also somewhat intensive to replace- one must either cut the threads to the haori collar to get to the loops the himo are attached to, remove the himo and put a new set on, OR they must cut the straps to the himo and leave them off, not replacing them at all.
Beaded haori himo are not this complex or time-consuming. Endlessly interchangeable and unique, with versatile colouring and patterning abilities, they are easily put on and taken off. On each end is a large jump ring which can be attached to the loops of the haori. Haori are often big enough to where you can lift them straight off without undoing the front, but a large lobster clasp could also be attached to one side for removal purposes. They are also half the price of the average set of new himo, around $7 instead of the usual $12-15. Himo are even more expensive when they are new when buying in Japan! So beaded haori himo are all-around a better choice if one has less than traditional style, as many girls who still wear kimono do.
KimonoHIME is one such fashion trend, originating in the early 2000's with the release of KimonoHIME magazine. KimonoHIME magazine featured many Taisho (1912-1926) kimono and other vintage items worn with modern and nontraditional accessories and alterations, such as velvet collars (a nod to the Edo-era trend of rich girls wearing black velvet collars to show their wealth), lace, tall boots, or a strand of pearls around the waist instead of a silk obijime. Beaded himo fit right in with this fashion!
KimonoHIME is not really about peculiar fashion taste- the magazine shows fanciful examples of what could be done. It is about breaking the "new-old" tradition and making kimono alive and new again, and not being afraid of or looking down on wearing older or secondhand kimono. Kimono-making is a dying art. There are fewer than five kimono makers left in the country. Most designs today are no longer made on the finer Japanese silks- they are printed on Chinese or Brazilian silks and imported from elsewhere. This is heartbreaking, considering that once, kimono were made by a person selecting a white bolt of fabric, being measured in over 30 ways, and selecting patterns or suggesting ideas to an artist before having a fine kimono made. Each were a one of a kind work of art made specifically for the wearer. Now, they are rarely purchased, and more often rented or not worn at all. The KimonoHIME girls and women like Mamechiyo want to bring them back!
I am happy to have my new modern black and orange kimono. Normally I do not buy modern kimono, as I don't like the materials or style. But this one was different... it is very informal, so I won't wear it many places, but the colour suited my taste at the time, and because it is synthetic, it will not break down in the wet, humid days, nor fade in the light. I also have a white, orange, and black obi to go with it. I believe it is Nagoya-style, so it will be easier to wear. Now I just have to get accessories!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
