KIMONO KOMONO
Vintage Japanese Kimonos turned into one-of-a-kind, beautiful items that are perfect as a gift. All items are handmade in the Northern Rivers region of Australia by Megumi Watanabe using carefully selected Kimonos and their accessories such as Obi, Obijime, etc. This is a place where tradition meets modern aesthetics, and where the unique narrative of each Kimono is preserved in the form of exquisite and functional pieces. KIMONO KOMONO is dedicated to creating timeless pieces that reflect the beauty and craftsmanship of Japanese culture. I take pride in offering a range of products that are not only beautiful but also tell a story of artistry and tradition.
IN THE BEGINNING
It all started with a little gift of cotton Kinchaku given to me by my mother.
It became my daily used pouch to carry my keys, lip balm, phone, wallet and any other day-to-day necessary items. I personally hate not having my hands free, especially in the city where you have to walk everywhere. It was so useful when it became too worn, I made myself another just like it. I lived in NYC at the time, and no one carried such a bag, but wanted everyone to know how versatile, beautiful, yet practical it was. So I developed my own Kinchaku pattern and opened a shop called "HUT" on Etsy in 2010.
It has evolved since, and now I make Kinchaku out of vintage or used (and mostly unwearable due to stains) Kimonos, making gorgeous Kimonos accessible to wider populations, hence changing the business name to KIMONO KOMONO ("Komono" meaning little things) in 2024.
SOURCE
I source my Kimonos, fabrics and Obis from other Etsy sellers, local Kimono sellers in Australia, and used Kimono shops in Japan. My cotton fabrics and drawcords are sourced from an online Japanese fabric shop.