There are some things you just can’t fake, and true heritage is one of them. You can borrow from it, reference it, even pay homage to it — but true heritage is passed down through the hands, hearts, and histories of people who have been part of a tradition for generations. At KIM+ONO, the heritage woven into every piece isn’t just in our story. Our heritage shows up in the way the silk is handled, the patience and steadiness needed to use a traditional brush, the reverence for form and fabric. You can feel that kind of authenticity when you slip into one of our kimono robe silk pieces. It’s a difference you can truly feel against your skin.
At KIM+ONO, every long silky robe tells a story that began long before it arrived on your doorstep. It’s a story of craftsmanship, family legacy, and the love of beautiful things. It’s a story that connects the timeless artistry of traditional Asian silk-making and kimono design to the modern rituals of self care, wellness, and personal style. So in today’s journal, let’s take a deeper look at how you can tell our pieces are authentic pieces of heritage.
You Can’t Fake Heritage
Heritage takes time to build. It’s built through the time it takes to handcraft these pieces over time — both the days it takes to make one of our pieces and the centuries it took to refine these timeless artistic techniques. Our co-founders, sisters Renee and Tiffany Tam, grew up surrounded by this kind of heritage, watching their parents build several shops in San Francisco’s Chinatown, filled with Asian art, antiques, and gifts from their travels across Asia. As little girls, Renee and Tiffany would travel with their parents on buying trips and were enamored with the traditional art of kimono-making they witnessed in China’s Silk Village. Those early experiences shaped everything they do today. When the sisters eventually took over the family business, they reimagined it for a new generation — one that values both beauty and meaning or heritage as well as the needs of modern life. This story is where KIM+ONO was born, it’s a brand rooted in tradition but designed for modern life, blending old-world craftsmanship with contemporary elegance.
The Art of True Craftsmanship
If you’ve ever wondered how to make a kimono, the process is far more intricate than most realize. Each of our kimono robe silk pieces begins with 100% silk fabric — specifically, Grade 6A Raw Mulberry Silk, the highest quality available. The silk is light and strong, soft and resilient, and has that unmistakable natural lustre that people come to expect from silk. From there, artisans in China’s Silk Village, the same family of artisans the Tam family has been partnering with for decades, and who have specialized in silk dyeing and painting for generations, bring these modern designs to life using traditional techniques. The process often involves hand-sketching the pattern and carefully painting or printing each motif. Every step requires both precision and intuition, skills that can only be developed over time.
Each kimono robe comes from lineage of artistry and can’t be mass-produced. When you run your hands along the smooth fabric of a long silky robe, you’re touching centuries of tradition and bringing home real heritage.
The History of the Kimono
The kimono is one of the most iconic garments in history — a symbol of both cultural identity and artistic expression. The kimono originated in Japan over a thousand years ago, evolving from the kosode, a robe-like garment with small sleeves. Over centuries, it became more elaborate, incorporating exquisite silk fabrics and symbolic motifs that represented everything from the seasons to personal virtues. Traditionally, kimono-making was an art form that demanded both technical mastery and spiritual mindfulness. Every pattern had meaning; every stitch was intentional. At KIM+ONO, we honor that history by preserving the integrity of these traditional methods while infusing them with our modern design aesthetics. When you slip into one of our kimono outfits, you’re not just dressing your body — you’re stepping into a bigger, more historical story.
Photo by Ashley Streff
The Difference You Can Feel
Real silk feels real in your hands. It’s not just the smoothness or the way it catches the light, it’s mostly how it feels on your skin. Silk regulates temperature naturally, keeping you cool in summer and warm in winter. It gets softer and softer over time. The natural oils of your skin absorb into the natural fibers of the silk so the more you wear it, the more comfortable it feels. Our customers often say they can feel the difference the moment they put on their first kimono robe silk. It’s as though the kimono robe itself invites you to slow down, breathe, and savor the moment. And that’s exactly the point, to turn the simple act of getting dressed or unwinding into a small daily ritual of care and connection. Whether you’re wearing a long silky robe while reading in the morning sun, or layering one of our kimono outfits over jeans and a tank for an fun night out, that same feeling of well-being stays with you as you wear it.
Photo by Augie Chang
From Generation to Generation
For Renee and Tiffany, authenticity is a family inheritance. The sisters have woven their parents’ legacy into every part of KIM+ONO, from the relationships they maintain with long-time artisans to the thoughtful location of their San Francisco boutique. The store itself was created to be a serene space, part wellness hub, part sanctuary, where modern individuals can reconnect with the artistry and mindfulness behind every piece. It’s a continuation of the values their parents instilled: respect for craftsmanship, love for cultural heritage, and the beauty of family and connection. And it’s this deep respect for tradition that makes our kimono robe silk pieces unlike anything else. You can see it in the handpainted blossoms, the rich saturations of color, the liquid drape. You can feel it in the weight and movement of the fabric. You can even sense it in the care instructions, because when something is made this beautifully, you want to preserve it for the next generation.
In a world where so much is mass-produced, authenticity has become a luxury in itself. But it’s not about exclusivity. For us, it’s about connection. When you choose a KIM+ONO piece, you’re connecting to something larger than a fashion statement. You’re connecting to artistry that transcends trends and to heritage that honors both past and present. Find a little heritage for yourself, you deserve it.
