Kimono Challenge #13: My Special Kimono Memory

Hello Everyone, 


Finally I am at the end of this kimono challenge. Today's topic is one that I've added myself to the original challenge, because I believe that everyone has a special kimono memory. My special kimono memory is meeting Yumi Yamamoto at the Japanese Art Festival in 2010, and since I've never wrote about it on my blog, it's time to fix that. 

I don't have a good relationship with the Japanese Art Festival, because from the one time I went there it was a big waste of time and money. When I hear Japanese Art Festival, I expect at least some degree of traditional arts... Instead, most of it was Anime, anime, and more anime. Although every time there is a kimono fashion show, you have to survive hours of anime, anime, and anime before that. Needless to say, I never actually seen the fashion show during my first trip there, and I'm pretty sure I spent the grand total of 5 minutes walking around the place before bolting for a Japanese restaurant for lunch. This time, it was different because Akemi managed to get a kimono designer, Yumi Yamamoto, to attend! I was still not convinced that I would go, but then April told me that Akemi sent out a call for models for the fashion show, and the models were to wear Yumi's kimono. I was so in! 


I exchanged several "fun" emails with Akemi, trying to figure out what time to show up and what to bring, and finally I was set to go with several bags packed full of kimono items. When I got there, it turned out that I didn't even need all of those stuff, because Yumi was going to provide everything for her models. At the end, I was still glad that I lugged all the stuff, since the other models ended up using everything. 

Yumi dressed her models in kimono, and we set out to figure out how to walk and pose, which was a lot of "fun", considering I don't speak a word of Japanese and Yumi's English is not that great. But somehow we managed to understand each other (I'm telling you, kimono has a universal language build into it!), most likely after I pretty much took over and told the models what I THOUGHT Yumi wanted. She didn't argue, so either I was right, or she couldn't say otherwise ;P.

Kimono Challenge Tag #12 Evolution of My Kitsuke part 2

Hello Everyone, 


Today I will show you the second part of my kitsuke evolution. After I moved to UK, I had a hard time adjusting to a completely different lifestyle of no job, friends, online school, etc... Online kimono community helped me a LOT, because I already "knew" some people from the forums, and got to meet them in real life, sort of getting a head start on making friends. 


At first, I wore my kimono pretty traditionally, with occasional hat. Later I started wearing western shoes with kimono, and in general accessorize in a more non-traditional way. I also discovered the greatness of cold weather, which I could never take advantage of while in Florida. Now I can REALLY accessories my kimono outfits with fun stuff like scarves, gloves, and fur collars. My kimono buying habits also changed, and now I buy a lot more shorter kimono, which I would never bought before, or more vintage items. 


I've become obsessed with Taisho era too, but at the same time I'm not really trying to replicate the style completely. Instead, I'm trying to combine the western flapper style with Taisho kimono and western accessories. I even cut my hair to make wearing cloche hats better! :)


One thing I noticed is that during the cold month my kitsuke goes towards funky and modern much more, while in summer/warm month I go back to more traditional looks. I know it has to do with how cold/hot the weather is, because it's much easier to wear all the western stuff in winter. In summer all I want is just to be COOL, and not worry about layers. 


Post-England: 
In no particular order. 

First London kimono outing. 

London Matsuri 2009. Japanese people there were impressed with my hat and bow obiage. 

Ely Cathedral

Going to Cambridge in kimono. 

Visiting in Florida. 

Kimono Challenge Tag #12 Evolution of My Kitsuke part 1

Hello Everyone, 


I can pretty much divide my kitsuke into Pre-England and Post-England. Pre-England is when I was just getting into it, learning how to wear kimono properly, still couldn't tie an obi by myself, getting my collection going, and generally looking pretty "sad" most of the time :P. I also just started figuring out my kimono style. Post-England is when I moved to UK, and had no one to help me (other than my husband, but he wasn't always available), learned how to FINALLY tied the obi on my own, figured out my style, and which kimono I like the most. 


Pre-England: 
In no particular order. 


Can you say TRADITIONAL? About the most adventurous thing I did was wear a hat and a shawl (after I saw Okimono Kimono book). I was also learning how get my kitsuke better, so my ohashori, haneri and obiage left much to be desired. Good thing, practice makes perfect, and even wearing kimono just ONCE a month helped me improve. 

Anime Weekend Atlanta

Kimono Challenge Tag #11 My Kimono Collection

Hello Everyone, 


Oh I remember the times when I still only had THREE kimono. I was so proud of myself for buying my very FIRST kimono on my own, only to figure out couple of years later that it was too small for me. And that I don't even like it that much. But the blissful days of a small kimono collection did not last that long, and pretty soon my collection just exploded (the link will take you to my Photobucket account, where I actually organize all my kimono stuff! Sub-albums are at the bottom right). 


Kimono


After several years of collecting and wearing kimono I've finally figured out my style, and that I really like stripes. Now I have more striped kimono than any other designs. I also love pretty much anything geometric and non-seasonal, as well as stylized flowers patterns (especially roses, poppies, ume and sunflowers). I tend to stay away from realistic flowers, many imaginary flowers in kimono, and very busy designs. For some reason I love "random" patterns too, like jars. I have a jar kimono and obi, and since them I've been on a lookout for more items like that. 

Kimono Challenge Tag #10 Biggest Kimono Inspiration

Hello Everyone, 


Today's post is a fun one! It's pretty easy for me to narrow down where I draw the inspiration for my kimono style, however I still end up doing "my own" thing at the end. Some people even said that I have my own kimono style, and while it might be true, I still didn't get there on my own. I looked at these people for inspiration. 


Mamechiyo Modern: 
When I first saw their style, I was blown away. Kimono with modern prints?! OMG please sign me up! I loved everything about this style, the accessories, the colors, the SHOES! I know that when I go to Japan, one of my stops will be in Mamechiyo's store. 

I'm pretty sure this is the image that sent me looking for a cape for kimono.

Motoki Okimono Kimono: 
I randomly came across the Japanese version at a local comic book store, and while it was pretty overpriced, I didn't care and HAD TO HAVE IT! Everything in that book just screamed "Lyuba" to me, if only I could read it. Thankfully, the book was published in English too, so now I have both version. 

KimonoHIME: 
Oh KimonoHIME, I obsess over your style. While some of the coordinations are a little out there for me, I still love them. This is where I figured that I too can wear Western shoes with my kimono, and got some ideas on what kind of shoes and how to wear them best. And the hats and accessories! Unfortunately I only have 2 magazines so far, but I'm looking for more! I will have them all! :)

Yumi Yamamoto: 
Imagine meeting someone who basically embodied YOUR kimono style. That pretty much happened to me when I met Yumi at the Japanese Art Festival in 2010. The festival itself was ok, but it was so much better because Yumi was there! She love combining traditional and modern, and has some wicked accessories. I also love her footwear designs. I keep telling her that I was made to be her model ;P and only wish I could wear her designs again. :) 

What are your biggest kimono inspirations? 


~ Lyuba


1. How did you discover and got into kimono? 
2. Your dearest kimono item(s).
3. Your most used kimono item(s) (not counting jubans, datejimes etc.).
4. Your least used kimono item(s).
5. Your favourite coordination(s) so far.
6. What do you like and don't like about kimono. 
7. Kimono confessions. Did you know that... 
8. Your dream kitsuke items (or at least items you really really want but can't get for whatever reason).
9. Your biggest kimono fears. 
10. Your biggest kimono inspiration. 
11. Your kimono collection. 
12. The evolution of your kitsuke.
13. Your special kimono memory. 

Kimono Challenge Tag #9

Hello Everyone, 


My biggest kimono fear is to get a stain on, because I wouldn't know how to clean it off :( I've had a kimono that accidentally got stained at a festival, and I almost got in a fight with a friend over it. Stupid really, because it wasn't really her fault as much as it was BOTH our faults. Since then, I haven't touched that kimono. Yup, discrimination! But I don't want to be seen in a stained kimono, and since I don't know how to clean silk.... off into "unloved" pile it went. 


My other fear is for my obi to come untied because I probably would have a hard time re-tying it completely back in place without a mirror. I know the easy fix for that, PRACTICE, but still! Before I even get to the point of getting somewhere and tying it, I have to suffer the embarrassment of my obi hanging behind me... and that happened, and I don't want a repeat. 


What's your fears? 


~ Lyuba


1. How did you discover and got into kimono? 
2. Your dearest kimono item(s).
3. Your most used kimono item(s) (not counting jubans, datejimes etc.).
4. Your least used kimono item(s).
5. Your favourite coordination(s) so far.
6. What do you like and don't like about kimono. 
7. Kimono confessions. Did you know that... 
8. Your dream kitsuke items (or at least items you really really want but can't get for whatever reason).
9. Your biggest kimono fears. 
10. Your biggest kimono inspiration. 
11. Your kimono collection. 
12. The evolution of your kitsuke.
13. Your special kimono memory. 

Kimono Challenge Tag #8

My dream kitsuke items...


Oh there are so many of them. Mostly I want the shoes and various accessories, but I don't really have any saved photos of them. I tend to not save photos of stuff I can't get, since I don't see a point in looking at those photos and only wish, wish, wish. I do save photos of styles or coordinations that I like, and I guess those could be my dream items too. 

I'm pretty sure that's the same kimono as in Kimono Hime coordination haha :) 

What are your dream kitsuke items? 


~ Lyuba


1. How did you discover and got into kimono? 
2. Your dearest kimono item(s).
3. Your most used kimono item(s) (not counting jubans, datejimes etc.).
4. Your least used kimono item(s).
5. Your favourite coordination(s) so far.
6. What do you like and don't like about kimono. 
7. Kimono confessions. Did you know that... 
8. Your dream kitsuke items (or at least items you really really want but can't get for whatever reason).
9. Your biggest kimono fears. 
10. Your biggest kimono inspiration. 
11. Your kimono collection. 
12. The evolution of your kitsuke.
13. Your special kimono memory. 

Kimono Challenge Tag #7

Hello Everyone, 


Did you know that I rarely pick out my outfits in advance? I'm pretty spontaneous when it comes to coordination, and most of the time it works. The rest of the time I say it works :) I find that I work better when I don't plan and come up with the best results as I go along. 


Other than that, I really don't have any other confessions to make. 

~ Lyuba


1. How did you discover and got into kimono? 
2. Your dearest kimono item(s).
3. Your most used kimono item(s) (not counting jubans, datejimes etc.).
4. Your least used kimono item(s).
5. Your favourite coordination(s) so far.
6. What do you like and don't like about kimono. 
7. Kimono confessions. Did you know that... 
8. Your dream kitsuke items (or at least items you really really want but can't get for whatever reason).
9. Your biggest kimono fears. 
10. Your biggest kimono inspiration. 
11. Your kimono collection. 
12. The evolution of your kitsuke.
13. Your special kimono memory. 

Kimono Challenge Tag #6 What do you like and don't like about kimono

Hello Everyone, 


There are not many things about kimono that I don't like, but the #1 of them is FOLDING! I simply hate folding kimono after I'm done wearing it! I literally have to force myself to fold it up, or it will stay on the couch (bed/floor/dresser) for weeks at a time. 


Another thing I don't really care for is that majority of kimono that I like are too small for me because they are vintage. Or too expensive if they are modern and new. There is no way I can spend hundreds or thousands of dollars for kimono items I want, and it sucks! I would love to wear Yumi Yamamoto's or Mamechiyo's kimono, but alas... I'll have to win a lottery first. 


Now, the things I love about kimono are endless! Or maybe I can just sum it up in one word: COOL! Kimono are just too cool for their own good :) And how many other garment out there can make you feel so beautiful and graceful in a matter of moments? The designs are gorgeous too, and pretty much anything can be put on kimono. But of course, it's the obsessed kimono person talking in me. 


~ Lyuba


1. How did you discover and got into kimono? 
2. Your dearest kimono item(s).
3. Your most used kimono item(s) (not counting jubans, datejimes etc.).
4. Your least used kimono item(s).
5. Your favourite coordination(s) so far.
6. What do you like and don't like about kimono. 
7. Kimono confessions. Did you know that... 
8. Your dream kitsuke items (or at least items you really really want but can't get for whatever reason).
9. Your biggest kimono fears. 
10. Your biggest kimono inspiration. 
11. Your kimono collection. 
12. The evolution of your kitsuke.
13. Your special kimono memory. 

Kimono Challenge Tag #5

Hello Everyone!

I generally don't have any trouble coordinating ensembles with kimono, so it's probably easier to ask me which coordinations I'm NOT happy with. But since the question asked for my favorite ones... well here goes nothing :)

I wore this kimono to Japanese New Year and all of the Japanese ladies there were nodding in approval, saying how my ensemble was very festive. You can't see it, but nagoya obi has pine needless on it. :)

I wanted to wear a brown only ensemble. :)

This one I'm particularly proud of because after wearing kimono in such a non-traditional way, I realized that I love western shoes + kimono combo. Oh, and  TokyoTelephone loved it too. ;P

Obviously this is not me, but I coordinated the outfit and I must say it works together wonderfully! Even better than my first coordination (see first photo).

What are your favorite coordinations?

~ Lyuba

1. How did you discover and got into kimono? 
2. Your dearest kimono item(s).
3. Your most used kimono item(s) (not counting jubans, datejimes etc.).
4. Your least used kimono item(s).
5. Your favourite coordination(s) so far.
6. What do you like and don't like about kimono. 
7. Kimono confessions. Did you know that... 
8. Your dream kitsuke items (or at least items you really really want but can't get for whatever reason).
9. Your biggest kimono fears. 
10. Your biggest kimono inspiration. 
11. Your kimono collection. 
12. The evolution of your kitsuke.
13. Your special kimono memory. 

Kimono Challenge Tag #4

Hello Everyone,

Today I will tell you about my least used kimono items. Unfortunately I have way too many of those.

I fell in love with this obi the second I saw it, but it's missing the ties. No big deal, it will take a grand total of 5 minutes to sew new ones on.... and that was last year. I really need to attach new straps on this obi, so I could wear it.

 Same this with this obi, it was love. But since it is a not-so-typical tsuke obi, I had a hard time figuring out how to put it on. Oh, I know in theory how to do it... but in practice not so much. I was considering either sewing it all back up together (it really just cut in 2 parts, and can be put back together quite easily) or making a permanent taiko part. I think this week I'll do it, so I could finally wear it!

 Once I got married, I felt like I HAD to buy a tomesode. Well I bought it, haven't worn it since lol.

My poor juban, they are so unloved in my kimono drawers. But it seems like I collect more jubans that I can wear, just in case. Or just because I like juban.

I don't even know why I bought this one (below). It has karako on it, and I hate karako. Guess now I'm too creeped out to wear it lol.

I was so excited when I got these sets of ro haneri, but I didn't count on how much I HATE sewing haneri on! So I only used one of them, and gave 2 away as gifts. The rest are just sitting in their boxes, being sad.

So do you have any items you know you should give more love too, but you do not?

~ Lyuba


1. How did you discover and got into kimono? 
2. Your dearest kimono item(s).
3. Your most used kimono item(s) (not counting jubans, datejimes etc.).
4. Your least used kimono item(s).
5. Your favourite coordination(s) so far.
6. What do you like and don't like about kimono. 
7. Kimono confessions. Did you know that... 
8. Your dream kitsuke items (or at least items you really really want but can't get for whatever reason).
9. Your biggest kimono fears. 
10. Your biggest kimono inspiration. 
11. Your kimono collection. 
12. The evolution of your kitsuke.
13. Your special kimono memory.