You may or may not be aware of this, but KIM+ONO is a company steeped in history. Not just the history of our founders’, sisters Renee and Tiffany Tam, family heritage. But also, the history of the traditional Japanese kimono itself. When the Tam sisters were young girls, they went on business trips with their parents to Asia. On those trips, they accompanied their parents to meet with the local artisans who were practicing the generations-old technique of crafting kimono.They watched the hand-painting, they discovered the luxurious and delicate silks, and they saw how each stitch was intentionally sewn by hand. It was this experience as little girls that influenced how they make their modern kimono robe styles today.
And while we don’t consider our modern kimono robes, whether in charmeuse or washable silk, to be replications of traditional Japanese kimono, we have used these traditional garments for immense inspiration. So today in the journal, we’re going to be showing you the particular features of the traditional Japanese kimono and comparing those features to our modern kimono styles. From the butterfly symbolism to the materials to the design cuts, our plus size kimono robes, maternity robes, bridal kimono robes, and everyday silky robes all pay homage to traditional kimono design. Here is the evolution of the kimono and the details that make your kimono style robe a modern vision of a traditional garment.
Photo by @mariacalderon.art
The Obi Sash is Now a Modern Kimono Style Belt
The obi sash is a kind of belt that held traditional Japanese kimono closed. It was first designed as a thin belt, but developed over time into many variations of sizes and styles to accommodate the different kimono styles evolving in fashion. They can be made of silk, hemp, cotton, and polyester. Our modern kimono robes use kimono style belts for closure as well. While we don’t consider them obi, they can be used to accent your piece — whether it’s a maternity robe or an everyday lightweight layer — and keep you comfortable. You can use the inner tie for extra security and tie your kimono style belt in the front with a bow. You can tie the belt at the back into a bow or know to keep your kimono robe styled open in the front. And you can find a slight variation of belt size and shape depending on the kimono style you’re interested in.
Photo by Ashley Streff
The Classic T-Shape Kimono Style
The classic T-shaped design of traditional kimono is perhaps the most iconic part of the kimono design. It’s this T-shape that allows for a beautiful silhouette and ease of wearing. We wanted to keep that same design shape in all of our modern kimono robes from maternity robes to washable silk luxury pieces. The benefit to this T-shape? There are no shoulder seams. Instead, we work with four panels to create a beautifully flowing silhouette that looks beautiful on everybody. Without shoulder seams, your kimono style will fit comfortably without pulling or pinching. It’s incredibly comfortable, and added to the washable silk material, it becomes the most delightful piece you can wear.
Photo by @mariacalderon.art
Wide Kimono Sleeves and Varying Lengths
There is cultural significance in the wide, long sleeves of a kimono. The length and width symbolize elegance and grace. In addition to the T-shaped four panel design, all of our kimono styles have wide kimono sleeves just like traditional Japanese kimono. The sleeves are cut at three quarter length, but because there are no shoulder seams, the length of the sleeves will fall just a bit differently on everyone. This is part of the comfort of our modern kimono robes and the classic look taken from the traditional garment. Styling the cinched belt (or traditional obi) with the wide sleeves and flowing drape, your kimono robe becomes an elegant and sophisticated shape.
Photo by @thejoanadias
Botanical and Butterfly Symbolism
We haven’t just been inspired by the materials themselves and the production design of these traditional garments — we’ve also been inspired by the symbolism in every garment. One of our fan favorite kimono styles, the Peony & Butterfly, contains traditional butterfly symbolism that has been so important to the classic garment. Traditionally, butterfly symbolism has appeared to symbolize love and marital happiness on a kimono. So whether you’re wearing the butterfly symbolism of our Peony & Butterfly Kimono Robe on your wedding day or as a maternity robe, you’re wrapping yourself in the traditional butterfly symbolism that has celebrated love and happiness for generations. Butterfly symbolism can also represent new life, freshness, transformation, and the way a caterpillar turns into a butterfly — the beautiful ever-changing nature of life itself. Your kimono style’s butterfly symbolism isn’t just beautiful, it’s meaningful.
Photo by Ashley Streff
Delicate, Breathable Washable Silk, Printed Silk, and Charmeuse
Perhaps the most common association of traditional kimono is their fabric. The delicate silks, cotton, and hemp have all contributed to a wide range of materials and styles throughout history. We knew we wanted to pay homage to these delicate and luxurious materials, but to also remember how important it is for our community to have a versatile easy-to-wear option. So in order to create a durable, daily wear fabric while still paying homage to the luxury of silk, we rolled out our Washable Silk Collection. This beautiful washable silk is a perfect way to blend the traditional history of a delicate garment with the modern day busyness and fast-paced lifestyle that so many people are familiar with. When you wear washable silk kimono styles, you can wash these at home and make your everyday moments a little bit more luxurious.
While we never try to replicate traditional Japanese kimono, all of our pieces from maternity robes to everyday silk bathrobes are inspired by the history and heritage of traditional kimono. We’ve evolved these traditions by looking to you, our community, for even more inspiration in how you wear them and how you style them. We want our kimono robes to fit effortlessly into your life, so they keep evolving and filling your everyday with the beauty and meaning you so deeply deserve.
