Mari Hanyu is a young japanese woman.
At 30 years old she is on her way to give a second life to the traditional Kimono.
The beautiful frabric of this cultural treasure is a source of inspiration for her creation.
And she is today a part of this growing wave in Japan and in the world as so-called : Recycle Fashion.
Silk Kimono in the first life…. Coktail dress in the next !
No trash, no waste, Mari use the past to create a better futur. From this huge piece of silk, cotton or satin, all the dreams of imagination are possible !
Mari, how did this idea came to your mind ?
In High School already, I was crazy about fashion. I loved to experiment new style and have the people looking at me with interrest and curiousity. I loved to be different.
I knew some designers and shops where I could fine beautiful silk Kimono, turned into skirt or dress, but at this time i twas of course too expensive for me. I then had only one choice, to do it myself ! I started to buy some old Kimono in some second hand shops or street markets, and I finally got a real and massive collection.
I had a real love for these fabrics.
It’s in 2005 that I started to design, before that, i twas more like cutting and sawing. I went to a New Year party with some friends, but I didn’t have any dresses or dressed up clothes, so I decided to make one from the Kimono’s fabric I already owned. And this was the first step !
Did you study fashion design ?
Yes. I went to ESMOD Japan. The first grade in Osaka and the second and third in Ebisu,Tokyo. 3 years then in mode section.
But my first experience in the fashion world was actually to make costume for stages, plays or special parties.
It was very good practice for me and that did open my mind to some other worlds.
How did you find a place in the fashion market ? Who were your first customers ?
At first I took part of the exhibition Design Festa. Just to try, I wanted to see the reactions in front of my work, but I didn’t expect anything.
On this occasion I met the editors of Sôsekuichiba, a japanese magazine specialised in the Kimono’s frabics and remake designs. He was very interrested in my work and offered me to publish my work in the next edition.
That was of course a great opportunity !
A large market about remake Kimono already exist in Japan for a while, called Kofu, this very particular design is usualy made and created by old ladies for old ladies.
The young generation is so far missing from this world.
So today I try to give a new look to this old concept.
I present my work in different departement store every where in Japan, every week. I also have a webpage where we can find my collections. Beside some arts and crafts shops in Yanaka and Takadanobaba, in Tokyo, also sell some of my items.
How do you position yourself between the tradition and the modernity ?
I feel today is the time of the fast fashion. Like the fast food it must be efficient but not always with quality.
I think about brand as H&M, Forever 21, …
But for myself I prefer the slow fashion.
My work is probably an extrem of the slow fashion and keeps a part of tradition from this point of view.
The handmade pieces always got an history in the process and that takes time, plus the traditional fabric I use, yes, it’s slow fashion.
And for your personal shopping, where do you shop ?
I love Ethnic Style’s clothes. So the best place in Yokohama for it is probably China Town. Many small shops very good for that.
But I actually bought a lot in the past when I was travelling abroad. I still wear today all those clothes.
So when I have money today I prefer to spend it for some kimono pieces !
Or for fomal clothes that I must sometimes wear to meet the customers.
Thank Mari
