If you look at the garments hanging in your closet right now, you may realize most of them don’t have a story behind them. In a world where most of our clothing is produced in a rush, finding pieces with a real story behind them is a rarity. And when you wrap yourself in a heritage-crafted garment before your morning coffee, you’re wrapping yourself in a bit of tradition that you can feel. We hear from our community constantly about how our pieces make them feel connected to something larger, and the story of how those pieces come to life is part of that experience.
When you explore our collections, you are choosing wearable works of art designed in our San Francisco studio by our co-founders, sisters Renee and Tiffany Tam. You won’t find them anywhere else because they are unique to our founders’ inspirations, heritage, and experiences as little girls with the art of kimono making. Developing this unrepeatable, handcrafted process took years of dedication; it is the culmination of decades of family history, artistic patience, and a deep understanding of what you deserve in your daily routine.
Heritage is the Foundation of Every Kimono Robe
The process of producing our one-of-a-kind garments begins long before a single thread is woven. It starts with heritage. For over three decades, our family ran brick-and-mortar stores in San Francisco's Chinatown. Growing up surrounded by the rich textures, intricate patterns, and deep history of vintage Asian art shaped the way Renee and Tiffany view design. They learned early on that the best robe goes beyond basic function to become a tactile experience connecting the wearer to a larger history. When the sisters took over the family business in 2004, and later rebranded to KIM+ONO, they knew they wanted to preserve that profound sense of heritage in every collection.
This foundation in a family business means that every collection we release springs from personal memory and lived experience. The sights and sounds of Chinatown, the trips they took with their parents to visit artisans in China’s Silk Village, and the conversations with customers who walk through the shop doors all inform the ethos of our designs. We believe that true luxury requires the human touch to retain its soul. By keeping our roots firmly planted in our founders’ heritage’, we ensure that every piece we create honors the generations of craftsmanship that came before us.
Inspired by a Kimono-Making Tradition
With inspiration drawn directly from vintage Asian art, we design styles that highlight the artistic principles of contrast and depth found in Chinese brushwork. As young girls, Renee and Tiffany traveled with their parents to Asia, where they watched master artisans at work. Seeing the delicate precision required to create a traditional kimono left a lasting impression. Today, those memories fuel the creative process in our San Francisco studio. Every print begins as a concept born from this deep well of tradition, whether it focuses on the sweeping wings of a crane or the delicate petals reflecting japanese cherry blossom symbolism.
Renee and Tiffany establish the narrative and meaning behind each design, ensuring that the visual story honors its historical roots while speaking to the present moment. They spend weeks conceptualizing the exact curve of a floral vine and the specific shade of watercolor wash that will eventually make its way onto the fabric. By studying the way colors interact and the symbolism woven into classic botanical imagery, they create designs that feel both timeless and deeply personal.
The Artisan Touch in Every Thread
While the design concepts originate in California, the physical creation of our garments takes place in China's Silk Village. Here, a multigenerational artisan team brings those concepts to life with a level of skill that is increasingly rare. Because this workshop focuses on deliberate, patient craftsmanship, our Handpainted Silk Heritage Collection requires extraordinary time to create. Lead artist Ping spends approximately seven full days hand-sketching and watercolor-painting a single piece. Working directly on 16mm, 100% Grade 6A Raw Mulberry Silk, Ping paints every inch of the background hues and intricate motifs entirely by hand.
Because no templates or machines are used in this painting process, no two garments are ever identical. Once the artwork is complete, our textile innovators and tailors, including Houbin and Youyuan, step in to cut and stitch the classic T-shape silhouette. Choosing a handpainted silk kimono means choosing a true piece of wearable art history. The dedication of this artisan workshop ensures that the integrity of Renee and Tiffany's original designs is preserved in every brushstroke and every seam, resulting in an archival piece you will treasure for years to come.
Made for Modern Daily Life
We blend those historical design principles with modern aesthetics to bring a little bit of luxury to the modern individual. We know your life is full of demands, from morning meetings to evening errands, and your wardrobe needs to keep up without sacrificing elegance. For this reason, we developed fabrics tailored to different rhythms of life. Our Washable Silk Collection, crafted from 22mm silk, offers a substantial weight and a buttery feel while being simple to maintain. Tossing a washable silk robe into a mesh delicates bag for a cold machine wash fits seamlessly into a busy schedule.
For the woman who wants to make a bold visual statement, our 16mm Printed Silk Collection delivers a lighter-than-air liquid drape that sways with you as you walk. A women's long silk robe in this weight glides beautifully over a slip dress for dinner out, or drapes effortlessly over denim for a weekend brunch. We design these pieces to be versatile because we believe self-care should be something you can wear. You deserve to feel wrapped in comfort and beauty, whether you are unwinding on the couch or stepping out for a celebration.
Designed with You (& Your Life) in Mind
Everything we create is ultimately shaped by the women who wear it. Over the years, we have listened closely to your feedback, your requests, and the stories of how you move through your days. You wanted generous sizing and we added a Curve Collection. You loved our kimono wraps, so we brought you brand new designs in Charmeuse and Washable Silk Twill. You were looking for men’s options, so we brought you the Men’s Collection. And the heritage and tradition of our brand is the foundation of every single new piece we create.
This unrepeatable, handcrafted process exists to serve you. Slipping into a silk kimono robe provides a tactile reminder to slow down, take a breath, and take a moment for yourself. It is a difference you can feel, with each kimono robe steeped in history, crafted with deep intention, and made for your everyday life.
