" KIMONO COAT "

One of my Clients is a Japanese Lady who teaches IKEBANA (Japanese  Flower Arrangement), she also practices CHA NO YU (Japanese Way of Tea). 

So naturally she has many chances to wear a Kimono for classes, demonstrations, exhibitions and other occasions. 

She told me that she often finds problems when she wears Kimono in Winter Months.  She has items to wear over the Kimono to keep her warm, but they are not enough.

So one day last year she asked me if I could create a coat which will go over Kimono and maybe can be worn over Western Style Clothes as well.

Last fall I started searching for fabrics for it.  There was an Italian Wool Blend Very Textured Fabric in the showroom I've been keeping my eyes on to show her for a while for a special garment.  When I showed swatch of it to her, she thought it almost had a Japanese Feel to it, and trusted me to use it for "Kimono Coat"

After we agreed with fabric, my sketching began.  

I had one thing in my mind, how could I treat 2 very different necklines.  Kimono is always worn in a very distinctive way, especially its collar at back of women's neck.

My final decision was that it needs to have a detachable collar.   And it has to be easy to put it on when she wears over Western Style Garments.

So my draping began, starting with the Stole Like Detachable Collar.

< Finished KIMONO COAT > 

It's a Raglan Sleeve Scoop Neck Coat with Detachable Collar.

As you can see this fabric has huge one way woven pattern.

Cutting is done to match it at every seams, 

so that construction details become as invisible as possible.

Pockets are hidden at seams and self-covered-buttons are under the collar.

< Scoop Neck Coat Over Kimono >
Kimono Collar will dip deep at the back of the neck.
So this scoop neckline has to go under the Collar of Kimono
Back body has to be roomy enough for OBI-Sash which ties over Kimono.

< Over Kimono with Collar Attached >

I made the Collar not only detachable, but also adjustable.
So it can go over Kimono Collar without crushing it.

< Over Western Style Garments >
The Collar gets tighter to the neck without Kimono under.
It can even go over her head, when the temperature drops.

< Other Ways to Close Collar >

 

There are some other ways to wear this detachable collar.
 I'm so sure that she will discover more ways to use it
to keep herself warm for cold days to come...