Hi this is Shohei.
After we launched the Spring/Summer 2024 collection, our customers asked about Yukatas(Unlined Kimono for summer) displayed in the store. I would like to take this opportunity to explain the mystery of Yukatas in the store.
The mystery of Yukatas in the store
This yukata was glimpsed in a recent blog that took an in-depth look at the 2024 Spring/Summer collection. As many customers visited our store were wondering about it, and we are sure that those who read our blog must have similar questions.
*"AEON" on the pink Yukata is one of the largest retail company that operates shopping malls and supermarkets in Japan and some countries in Asia. Customers don't feel any affinities between AEON and KUON and wondering why AEON's yukata are displayed in the KUON Flagship Store.
Well, what is the identity of this yukata?
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This yukata was worn by AEON's Sansa Odori team at the Morioka Sansa Odori Festival a few years ago. The Festival is the most major event in Ishibashi(the designer of KUON)'s hometown Morioka, so I will take some time to introduce it to you next time.
Now, you know what the yukata is, yet have no idea why it's in the store.
Why is it on display?
Don't these Yukata look something familiar to you when you look at them with your eyes half open?
The answer is,
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yes, the Sakiori for this collection. This season, we used Yukatas worn at the Sansa Odori dance to make Sakiori. Click here to learn more about Sakiori.
The reason why I asked you to look at the Yukata with your eyes half open is because the designer said that to view the the fabric before it is torn with his eyes half open will give an image of the finished Sakiori fabric. To be honest, it didn't work for me...However, when I compared both the woven Sakiori fabric and the AEON yukata, even I could find a connection.
Finally you got why the AEON Yukata was on display in the store.
What's KAWATOKU?
This is another popular question from our customers. I will give you an answer to that.
Kawatoku is a department store based in Morioka, founded in 1866, Edo era. Although not as well known as AEON, this department store carries a variety of specialty products from Iwate and is loved by people in Morioka but also from the Tohoku region and tourists. This kind of community-based department store is now an endangered species in Japan.
It would be such a wonderful story if we open another store someday in a long-established department store in the designer's hometown. Just daydreaming...
Of course, this Kawatoku yukata was also worn in the Sansa Odori Festival.
Yukatas for Morioka Sansa Odori Festival are made into Sakiori by Saccora Japan in Morioka. It is a full course of Morioka.
Here is some products made with the Sakiori filled with such nostalgia. Please take a look at them while thinking of your hometown, too.
Have you noticed? The Sakiori for this collection is even more different from the past ones. It is easier to see when you take a closer look.
・Sakiori Striped Pocket Tee （Available in late Feb）
It is designed in a fringe form with the edge left unsewn. This design was inspired by the costume of "Chagu Chagu Umako"(another traditional festivity in Iwate) and the Koshi-Obi(waist belt) of the yukata for Sansa Odori. A little change makes it look much more glamorous. It must be more attractive after washing.
As a side note, we are able to see the torn fabric that is the weft of the Sakiori, which is usually sewn in at the edges and never seen. The fringe reminds us of the delicacy of the Sakiori technique, as well as the time and patience required to complete the work.
As writing this blog, I reconfirmed that clothes that are good looking are good, but clothes that are good looking and have stories and love are great. Please take a look at Sakiori for this collection, which is filled with the designer's love for his hometown, Morioka.
Thank you!
・Salt Shurunk Nylon Coaches Jacket-Sakiori-
・Sakiori Striped Pocket Tee(Available in late Feb)
