Satomi Kimura
Company: SatoRikko
www.etsy.com/jp/shop/SatoRikko
FB: https://www.facebook.com/SatoRIkko
Instagram: sato_rikko, https://www.instagram.com/sato_rikko/
Twitter: SatoRikko, https://twitter.com/RikkoSato
How would you describe your art/craft?
The store that my mother and I set up mainly sells berets. My mother has been
collecting vintage kimonos for decades, and she makes hats out of precious
fabrics that are hard to find nowadays. The hats are made mainly from kimonos, and the belts are made from solid obi
belts, and the combination of the two gives them different looks. We are very
particular about using silk in our work.
Recently we welcomed Masako Ando to our shop. Masako has her own store
specializing in haute couture, and is a real creator with a national license. Her
dresses and shirts are of high quality, not only in terms of design, but also
in terms of their reliable techniques. We are planning to increase the number of items in the future.
What kinds of items do you sell? What is the price
range?
The main items are berets, which cost about $100. There are a few scarves and
dresses for sale as well (about $100 to $300).
How long have you been doing this? I set up my store on Etsy in March of 2021. My
fellow creators have over 20 years of experience.
Have you traveled to Japan? We are Japanese living in Fukuoka, Japan.
What is your favorite thing about working with kimono fabric? It is light and
comfortable to wear. Also, all kimonos unravel into a rectangular piece of
fabric. This is a feature that makes it very easy for the maker to create a
work of art.
What is the most challenging thing about working with kimono fabric? Because of
the use of vintage fabrics, there are stains and scratches that limit the
number of areas that can be used. When washed, the dye may dissolve or shrink,
making them unusable. The process of unraveling old kimonos and turning them
into fabric is also a difficult process, and many people may not know that kimono
fabrics are all the same width (about 14 inches).
Tell us more about yourself, your business…
According to one theory, kimono originated in the 10th century BC. Throughout
its long history, the kimono has evolved in a unique way through various
techniques. The kimono is a very precious fabric made from the threads of
silkworms and finished by the hands of many craftsmen. We do not throw away the
excess fabric after cutting. It can be used for patchwork or making small
items, and transformed into wonderful works of art. This is what we are trying
to do in our work.
This spirit of "MOTTAINAI” (“Don't waste") is also a Japanese cultural
value that I hope will spread throughout the world.
See more of SatoRikko's creations below:
