Who We Are

Nancy McDonough - Founder and Owner - Endicott, NY

It all began in 1992, when Nancy arrived in Kyoto to teach English and train other ESL teachers. She soon fell in love with Japanese textiles and by the time she returned to Oregon in 1995, she had accumulated over 200. After that, there was no turning back -- what started out as a hobby business became full time after the first year on the internet in 2000. Each vintage kimono is unique, offering its own expression of Japanese life and culture. They are truly wearable art: "Kyoto Kimono prices are modest because we want to make kimonos and Japanese textiles available to everyone. They were part of daily life in Japan, and we hope they can be part of your life, too." Nancy can be contacted directly at nancy@kyotokimono.com

Ellen Baxendale - Seamstress, Beading Artist - Endwell, NY

Ellen creates our custom kimonos, hakama, and haori, as well as a new line of apparel made from our vintage fabrics. Ellen has her own business (sewing, alternations, jewlery and beading) which she runs from her home studio. She and her husband have two children and a lively household of four footed friends: 6 dogs (5 are rescued greyhounds), two chinchillas, four gerbils and a ginuea pig. Ellen can be contacted directly for any non-kimono sewing projects (she's so talented at anything with fabric and beads!) at baxendal@stny.rr.com.

Cindy Crispell - Designer, Seamstress - Owego, NY

Cindy learned to sew at the age of ten and has been offering her seamstress services for over twenty years. She also has a degree in Human Services and has devoted much of her adult life to the medical field. Cindy joined the Kyoto Kimono team in 2008 and works from her home studio in Owego, NY. Cindy is a talented seamstress who applies her skill to creating our custom kimonos, hakama, and haori. As a designer, Cindy helped create and refine both our Bridal Kimono line of wedding attire as well as the Japanique Boutique line of accessories and gifts. Cindy brings an experienced eye and a creative touch to our scarves, tote bags, neckties, skirts, and many other items. Cindy is available for private sewing projects, especially those using vintage kimono and obi fabrics, and can be contacted directly at ccrispell2@stny.rr.com.

Jen Hoch - Ebay Storekeeper

Jen started with us in 2008 doing fabric projects and now runs our ebay store (KyotoKimonoFabrics) where we offer bundles and individual kimono sleeves to collectors, crafters and artisans. Jen's training is in architecture and design, and she works with mosaics and tiling as well. We're still waiting for a photo.... Jen can be reached at jen@kyotokimono.com.

Cindy King - Bookkeeper

Cindy was born and raised in the area but like Nancy, moved away and came back after 25 years. Cindy is our accountant and bookkeeper but she is also a very skilled seamstress and tailor. What a great match for Kyoto Kimono. Now if we can only get her to give us a photo to post!! Cindy can be reached at cindy@kyotokimono.com.

Eleanor Poore - Model, Artist - Binghamton, NY

Eleanor is a studio art major at Nazareth College and joined the Kyoto Kimono team in the summer of 2010 while on break from school. In addition to modeling for us, Eleanor applies her talent as a painter to embellish otherwise plain kimono and haori jackets with hand painted and stenciled designs inspired by traditional Japanese Art.

Debbie Wimmer -Sales Assistant - Brackney, PA

Debbie started with Kyoto Kimono in the Fall of 2003. Debbie is a natural at customer service, sales, and the internet. She takes photos for many of the items for sale. Debbie is married to Karl (a high school friend of Nancy's!) and they have four children and an assortment of dogs and horses. Debbie can be contacted directly at debbie@kyotokimono.com.

Kyoto Kimono Team

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