At KIM+ONO, we have a variety of collections to suit your different tastes. Everything from our In Lieu of Silk Collection to our Charmeuse and Lace Collections, every material is light, breathable and an easy addition to your wardrobe. But perhaps our most favorite collection is our Silk Collection. With three different kinds of silk, it’s our most extensive offering and most luxurious material. Today we’re breaking down why this kimono fabric stands out and all the ways to wear it best.
There’s a good reason our kimono robes’ most extensive collection is silk. And that’s because of the history of traditional Japanese kimono robes. Japanese kimonos were heavily influenced by Han Chinese clothing worn during the Chinese Qing Dynasty. While the influences from both countries created different patterns and features, the kimono fabric has been traditionally been made of satin weaves or silk. When co-founders and sisters, Tiffany and Renee Tam, traveled to Asia with their parents growing up, they met with local artisans making handcrafted silk products, and fell in love with the fabric. Today, our Silk Collection takes inspiration from their childhood travels coupled with the history of traditional Japanese kimono fabric.
Photo by Angie Silvy
All of our kimono patterns are designed in house in San Francisco. We create the original patterns and then they are sketched by hand. After the sketch is finalized, the kimono is saturated in rich watercolors using a traditional paintbrush, drawing inspiration for our kimono patterns from traditional Asian aesthetics. Because this is such an intricate process, our Handpainted Kimono Robe Collection is a special one. It’s important to care for your Handpainted Kimono Robe like a piece of wearable art — keeping it out of the washing machine and only gently hand-washing it when needed. We love this teal short kimono robe for lounging or even hanging against the wall to display the whimsical crane design on the back of it.
For those who want the luxury of silk without the care necessary for a handpainted design, we offer our Silk Collection. Again the designs are all created in house, sketched by hand and then finalized into a print we can apply seamlessly to this lightweight silk. This collection is incredibly soft and breathable, and has a fluid drape so every inch of you touches this 100% silk fabric.
Our final offering in our Silk Collection is our Washable Silk. It’s just as soft, but has a slightly thicker weave making it more durable and sturdier for gentle washing. This is the kind of silk you can wear every day without worry. Because of the silk material, the kimono pattern is again designed in house, sketched by hand, and applied to the heavier silk as a print.
The convenience of washable silk is undeniable, as you can simply wash it at home in cold water on the delicate setting and hang it to dry. Make sure you place your kimono robe in a laundering bag for delicates like this one. This protects it from catching on rough surfaces like zippers or even buttons from other clothing items in the wash. Always place it in a delicates bag before throwing it into the washing machine to make sure you’re caring for this delicate material properly.
Can I Steam My Silk Kimono Robe?
Yes, steaming can restore moisture and softness while removing wrinkles. Try starting with your steamer held at a slight distance before carefully moving closer. Here's a video showing how we steam our kimono robes with a steamer cover to prevent water from splattering:
No matter which option you choose, you can’t go wrong with the classic and smooth feel of silk. From wearable art to washable luxury, each collection brings the history of traditional kimonos to life in a modern kimono robe to make you feel like a queen.
