Meet Yuri Iwasaki
Owner and Designer of Priscilla Tokyo

Yuri Iwasaki
Email: shop.priscilla@gmail.com
www.etsy.com/shop/PriscillaTokyo
Instagram: priscilla_tokyo

Tell us about yourself, your business… I was born and raised in Tokyo. I learned how to make fashion design in dressmaking school. After graduating from school, I worked at a job related to movie costumes. I think that upcycle - making new and valuable clothes using old kimono - will also help protect the environment. Currently, through Etsy, I am enjoying very good relationships and opportunities, such as making special friends from customers and orders from shops overseas. I will continue to make kimono clothes, believing that I will have wonderful encounters.

How would you describe your art/craft? Making new clothes using old kimono is good for the environment . Kimono are traditional Japanese clothing that have very beautiful patterns. I make modern clothing from these vintage kimonos. I think having the mindset to take good care of old things is great.

What kinds of items do you sell? What is the price range? I continue to make clothes that I want to wear as many times as I want, using new kimonos, kimono patterns, and traditional Japanese patterns. Prices range from USD 50 to USD 200.

How long have you been doing this? I started in 1999 in Japan. It has been going on for about 22 years.

Have you travelled to Japan? I live in Japan!

What is your favorite thing about working with kimono fabric? It's a lot of fun to think about the arrangement of patterns that look beautiful.

What is the most challenging thing about working with kimono fabric? Unfortunately, some old kimonos can’t be made into clothes. I think that's a very hard thing to do. A lot of time is necessary for me to make kimono shirts and dresses…... to unsew a garment, to wash garments by hand or dry clean, check strength... It would be nice if all could be used, but it's difficult.

See more of Yuri's creations below: