WITH KIMONO: Preserving Heritage Through Timeless Transformation

Discover the story of WITH KIMONO, a company that recycles old kimono into new creations for the new generation to cherish. Born from the inheritance of a grandmother’s kimono, the brand offers an array of beautiful items, from decorations to bags and clothes. Each garment is treated with meticulous care and innovative design, preserving its beauty and heritage in a contemporary form. We had the chance to interview Aya Haranosono, the artist behind WITH KIMONO, to learn more about her passion for honoring tradition while embracing modernity. Let’s hear more about this intricate transformation process of these kimonos and Aya Haranosono’s boundless creativity!

Can you please introduce yourself?

Hi! My name is Aya Haranosono, I am the owner & artist of WITH KIMONO. We sell products with the concept of giving new life to old kimonos. I am the fourth generation in the kimono business. My great-grandfather started the business as a kimono dyeing shop, my grandmother continued it, and my father still runs a kimono shop in our hometown of Kagoshima.

Your website shares that your grandmother’s kimono-inspired you to start this business! Could you share more about starting up WITH KIMONO?

Yes, before I started this, I was a photographer in Tokyo. During the “stay home” period of the COVID-19 pandemic, I found myself tired of city life and decided to return to my hometown of Kagoshima. While considering how to make a living in such a rural area, my grandmother, who also ran a kimono shop, gave me several vintage kimonos. That was a significant turning point for me. I came up with the idea of remaking these kimonos and selling them to a diverse range of people, across different generations and ethnicities. Despite these kimonos having been stored away for decades, I knew the beauty of kimono as part of Japanese culture, so I was confident from the start that this could be a viable business.

As many people know, it’s said that there are millions, if not billions, of kimonos lying dormant in closets across Japan. The number of people wearing kimonos has decreased, and the kimono industry itself is shrinking. With my business, WITH KIMONO, I hope to at least save my grandmother’s kimonos from being discarded.

The kimono creations are all very unique in style and color! How do you find the perfect kimonos to transform into new pieces?

I simply choose based on my own intuition. Selecting patterns and materials that I find appealing at the moment is a very enjoyable process. When it comes to creating products, I believe it’s crucial that I love the items myself, so I trust my instincts.

Can you take us on a behind-the-scenes journey of how a vintage kimono becomes a new creation?

First, we take the vintage kimonos to a specialized kimono cleaning service. If the condition is good, they are cleaned as they are and sold in their original kimono form. If the kimonos are no longer wearable, they are completely unstitched and then cleaned. The kimonos, which were once complete garments, are returned to just fabric by skilled craftsmen. I then cut and sew these fabrics to create remade products for WITH KIMONO.

What kind of exciting (and sometimes tricky) challenges do you encounter when working with vintage kimonos?

As I unravel the threads of old kimonos, I often wonder, “Who made these stitches, and when?” Each kimono is a result of many processes and the work of many hands, making every piece a beautiful work of art. At first, I did feel it was somewhat wasteful to remake them. However, as I learned more about kimonos, I think I became less hesitant about the process. I’m grateful to be able to participate in this cycle, transforming kimonos that have completed their role as garments into new forms. One thing to note is that most kimonos are made of silk, which means they often have a strong scent. But that too is a testament to their journey through time before reaching me!

We noticed that you sell all kinds of items in your shop – like decorations, bags, and clothes! Can you share a particularly memorable or meaningful transformation project you’ve worked on?

When I first started, I had no idea where to begin, so I just focused on making samples of as many remade products as I could think of. Since I didn’t have the funds to outsource the work, I had to make everything myself. I had little to no knowledge of sewing, so I learned as I went along. About a year after returning to Kagoshima, I sold my first product: a home decoration piece featuring a kimono framed in a picture frame. Since then, these framed kimono pieces have become special items for me and are now one of the signature products of WITH KIMONO.

How do you balance preserving traditional aspects of the kimonos while incorporating modern design elements?

Sometimes, I receive harsh criticism for transforming kimonos into different forms or for cutting them. For example, when I posted a video of cutting a kimono on social media, I received messages saying things like, “It’s a waste to cut up traditional Japanese kimonos.”

It’s true that fewer people are wearing kimonos these days. Even I find myself wearing them less often each year. But I don’t think wearing kimonos is the only way to preserve the culture. What I can do is remake kimonos and bring these products to a wider audience. I may not be able to do anything grand, but if I can introduce kimonos into the lives of people who don’t usually have the opportunity to wear them. That’s what I believe WITH KIMONO can achieve.

I get excited when I send my grandmother’s kimonos overseas. It’s amazing to think that a kimono that sat on a shelf in a rural area for decades can now be loved in a different form in a big city in America!

What have been some of your favorite kimono creations to make? How does each one differ from the next?

Among my works, the ones I am most satisfied with are the simple framed kimonos. I like these because they allow people to enjoy the various patterns and dyeing techniques of kimonos in a way that feels just right. It’s exciting to think about kimonos being displayed in homes around the world.

Anything else you would like to share with our readers?

Thank you for reading this far! I’m still learning every day. I’d be delighted if we could explore Japanese culture together.

Thank you so much for taking the time to be interviewed! We truly appreciated learning all about With Kimono and its efforts to bring tradition to modern fashion!

All of Aya’s creations, made from recycled kimonos, are available in her store, ready for you to grab one for yourself! There are so many different items to choose from, including framed tapestries, fans, hats, and even unfinished kimonos, each taking the absolute best part of the old creations so that their beauty is not lost to time. Every one of these handcrafted products is simply gorgeous and makes for a unique and resourceful way to celebrate some of the best of Japan’s culture. Whether you’re looking for that perfect gift or just something new to decorate your home with, we promise you will find it thanks to With Kimono! So, check out their site and discover your newest treasure that truly encapsulates traditional Japan in a modern light. We know you won’t regret it!

With Kimono: https://with-kimono.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/withkimono

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/with_kimono

Pinterest: https://www.instagram.com/with_kimono

Featured Photo Credit: Aya Haranosono

Coming to Tokyo to wear or see a Kimono? Check out our Asakusa Twilight Food Tour!