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Beyond East and West!

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Yumi Katsura Kimono

For many decades, Yumi Katsura has been widely known as one of Japan’s leading bridal designers. When she started her label in 1964, she became the first Western-style wedding dress designer in Japan. Though lovely, her wedding dress designs are pretty standard as far as bridal fashion goes. But in 2012, the then-80-year-old designer decided she wanted to bring back the Kimono, both in its traditional forms and in new and exciting ways. Her new line, which she called Beyond East and West, was launched to much-deserved acclaim.

“Japanese people may wear kimono at a wedding or for their coming-of-age ceremony, but that’s it. I felt an urgent need to preserve the art of couture Japanese techniques like yūzen and shibori in my own way. And, since the bridal season comes just once a year, I decided there was something I could design in the interim.”

– Yumi Katsura interview with Japan Times

As part of her push to encourage a younger Japanese audience to consider wearing kimono, the innovative designer also offers kimono rental services in both Tokyo and Osaka. Not only does the 5-hour rental include a kimono of your choice with traditional underwear, sandals, socks, and hair accessories, it also comes with complimentary dressing services!

You can see all of Yumi Katsura’s gorgeous kimono and kimono-inspired fashion on her fashion website, her wedding dresses on her bridal website, and you can rent her kimono here. You can also follow Katsura on Instagram.

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Blue ! Blue ! Blue! ユミカツラならではの思い切ったコーディネート。色打掛にベールを合わせるなど、ファッショナブルでオリジナルなスタイルをご提案します✨ 日本の婚礼シーンの97%が着物だった時代から今日まで、"ブライダル"の歴史をユミカツラ。 日本の花嫁ならではの和装にも力を注いでいます。着物を纏う女性がまた増えて行きますように。 #yumikatsura #yumikaturakimono #yumikaturajapan #kimono #rental #bridal #fashion #veil #style #instaphoto #weddingphoto #桂由美 #ユミカツラ #きもの #レンタル #色打掛 #ベール #ヘア　 #前撮り #後撮り #結婚準備 #プレ花嫁

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Author: Donna from One Beautiful Thing

I have committed to spending part of every day looking for at least one beautiful thing, and sharing what I find with you lovelies!

17 thoughts on “Beyond East and West!”

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  1. artfulblasphemer's avatar
    artfulblasphemer
    December 28, 2019 at 9:49 am

    What a visual feast! Absolutely splendid.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  2. isaiah46ministries's avatar
    isaiah46ministries
    December 28, 2019 at 12:09 pm

    How stunningly beautiful! The colors so vibrant and rich. My soul smiled.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  3. Alison and Don's avatar
    Alison and Don
    December 28, 2019 at 9:27 pm

    Oh they are beyond exquisite! I’m drooling.
    Also, sorry if I keep bugging you but I come across stuff and think of you – like this:

    Like

    Reply
  4. spiritbabycomehome's avatar
    spiritbabycomehome
    December 29, 2019 at 1:38 am

    Wow. Love these kimonos and some others on her site. As for the wedding dresses, yeah sure most are whatever. But this… https://www.yumikatsura.com/color_dress/ak10042

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  7. StellaKate Blue's avatar
    StellaKate Blue
    December 30, 2019 at 11:17 am

    Her designs are beautiful. I have a hard time taking my eyes off of the orange kimono with he geometrical shapes (second from the top).

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  8. Diane's avatar
    Diane
    December 30, 2019 at 6:30 pm

    I’m swooning!!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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