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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My OBT 
December 28, 2019 at 9:49 am
What a visual feast! Absolutely splendid.
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December 28, 2019 at 6:10 pm
They truly are glorious!
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December 28, 2019 at 12:09 pm
How stunningly beautiful! The colors so vibrant and rich. My soul smiled.
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December 28, 2019 at 6:11 pm
I was also just blown away with the lush colors and designs.
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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:
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December 29, 2019 at 12:04 am
You are NEVER bugging me. However, the link didn’t come through.
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December 29, 2019 at 1:46 am
https://www.anna-whitehouse.co.uk/100bottles100days
Maybe this will work. Otherwise just google her name Anna Whitehouse – 100 bottles 100 days – amazing work
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December 29, 2019 at 11:04 am
Ooh! Cool!
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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
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December 29, 2019 at 11:04 am
Agreed. I’m considering one myself…
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December 29, 2019 at 1:38 am
Delicious!
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December 29, 2019 at 11:04 am
They sure are!
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December 29, 2019 at 2:32 pm
Very nice.
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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).
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December 31, 2019 at 10:55 am
Isn’t that magnificent?
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December 30, 2019 at 6:30 pm
I’m swooning!!!
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December 31, 2019 at 10:58 am
Me, too. I think we need to have a kimono party.
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