In order to share what inspired me to create Vintage Kokoro, I have to start at the beginning of when my passion for sewing and textiles began.
I don't remember a time when I wasn't interested in sewing--an inclination that's in my blood multiple generations deep. I spent hours as a child in fabric stores, touching each bolt and imaging the things my little hands could craft with them.
I designed my first hand-sewn doll outfit by the time I went to kindergarten and begged for my own sewing machine for years, finally getting one as a Christmas gift around 9. I wanted to create, to design, to make things that brought me joy with their beauty. I loved (and occasionally hated) the process of creating my own designs.
Being Japanese American, my love for Japanese textiles, especially kimono, goes back even further. As I've explored my own identify and history throughout the years, I've found that experiencing these textiles made me feel closer to a history that sometimes felt slightly out of arm's reach in some ways.
When I learned about the fate of many beautiful vintage kimono and obi, which are becoming less and less commonly worn, I knew my passion finally had a purpose! For every piece I save I feel as though I'm protecting something worth saving. As I deconstruct pieces I study every stitch, noting the history of how it was made, worn, and sometimes repaired. I've learned so much and am grateful for the opportunity to continue on this journey.
From selection to processing, designing to snipping the last thread, I feel meaning in what I'm doing. I hope you feel the love and appreciation infused in each piece I create--a love letter from my vintage kokoro to yours!
Thank you for supporting my passion!