In Tokyo, a creative startup is giving centuries-old tradition a fresh, modern twist—by turning discarded kimonos into high-end sneakers.

Kimonos, once a daily staple of Japanese attire, have become largely ceremonial and are now often tucked away in closets. But entrepreneur Shotaro Kawamura, CEO of retail group Potato Ltd., is on a mission to bring this iconic garment back into everyday life—just in a different form.

From Closet Relic to Streetwear Statement

Through his brand Tokyo Kimono Shoes, Kawamura partners with skilled artisans in Asakusa—an area in Tokyo known for traditional shoemaking—to transform unused kimono fabric into handmade sneakers. Each kimono can yield up to 20 unique pairs, and they sell for around $325 each.

“We chose sneakers because they’re something people wear every day—worldwide,” said Kawamura. “Our goal is to reduce waste and keep traditional crafts alive.”

A Cultural Comeback With a Kick

Kimonos have graced Japanese wardrobes for over 1,300 years. But as Western clothing became the norm post-1960s, kimonos fell out of daily use. Many of these garments, rich in heritage and ornate detail, now gather dust or face disposal.

The turning point came when Kawamura met Noriko Onozaki, owner of AxT Inc., a family-run shoe factory dating back to the 1950s. She had begun upcycling her mother’s old kimonos into sneakers, realizing their beauty and value were too good to throw away.

Kawamura saw global potential. A 2022 crowdfunding campaign on Makuake crushed its goal, raising over 8.5 million yen ($58,000). Tokyo Kimono Shoes quickly sold out its first 40-pair run in just three days.

By 2024, the brand had sold 4,500 pairs and repurposed 690 kimonos—a staggering 2,732 square meters of fabric. It’s not just about fashion—it’s also about sustaining dying trades. The steady business has helped keep traditional leather and shoemaking skills alive in Asakusa.

Riding the Global Vintage Wave

Kawamura’s success comes at a time when demand for sustainable and second-hand fashion is soaring. According to McKinsey, pre-owned apparel now makes up 10% of the global clothing market, with Japan’s vintage scene growing 60% between 2019 and 2023.

Longtime kimono enthusiast Nancy McDonough, founder of Kyoto Kimono, says stigma around “used” clothing in Japan has faded. Today, vintage kimonos are in vogue—fueled by global pop culture, social media fashion trends, and shows like Shōgun.

Other brands have followed suit: Kyoto’s KIEN repurposes kimonos into formal dresses, while Made by Yuki offers casual wear like shirts and skirts using salvaged fabrics. In Hong Kong, Heritage Refashioned transforms vintage Asian textiles—including kimonos—into bags and accessories.

Expanding the Kimono Renaissance

Encouraged by his sneaker brand’s success, Kawamura launched a second label, Kimono Reborn Tokyo, in 2023. This line features T-shirts, tote bags, and hats, broadening its appeal and targeting everyday wearers. So far, the brand has upcycled over 1,060 kimonos, or 4,160 square meters of fabric.

The flagship store in Asakusa has been joined by a second location at Narita Airport, with more on the way. Kawamura is also working on a line of ninja-style “tabi” shoes, made in Okayama, and collaborating with ODA Fashion College Tokyo to involve young designers in kimono revival projects.

Looking Ahead: From Footwear to Furniture

Kawamura’s vision doesn’t stop at fashion. He hopes to expand into home décor, furniture, and even launch a kimono-themed hotel to appeal to Japan’s booming tourist scene.

“We throw away too many good things,” he says. “But when we reshape them, they become even better. That’s the power of reuse and reinvention.”

Source: CNN – This Tokyo startup is turning discarded kimonos into stylish sneakers

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Cate Blanchett and the Rise of Silverware Fashion

Cate Blanchett has never worn so much silver—literally. Not in the form of sequins or crystals, but actual cutlery. Last April, she stunned in Vogue China, donning a corset crafted from two antique silver platters, resembling a 1950s Joan of Arc. Months later, she walked an LA red carpet in a halter-neck top made from 102 vintage spoons. By September, at the Toronto Film Festival, those same spoons were repurposed as metallic fringe on a black blazer.

The Visionary Behind Hodakova

This transformation of everyday objects into high fashion is the work of Ellen Hodakova Larsson, the Swedish designer behind Stockholm-based brand Hodakova. Her unconventional approach extends beyond silverware—she’s created dresses from leather briefcases, bags from belt buckles, and purses from riding boots.

Larsson sources her materials from businesses across Sweden, repurposing overstocked items. Speaking after her Paris Fashion Week show, she shared her creative process:

“It always starts with an intuitive mood. If something speaks to you, I follow the intuition and trust the process.”

Sustainability and Celebrity Endorsement

Founded during the pandemic, Hodakova has attracted fashion-forward celebrities like Tilda Swinton, Greta Lee, Lady Gaga, Emma Corrin, Saoirse Ronan, and Julia Fox. Larsson’s bold upcycling methods also earned her the 2024 LVMH Prize, which included €400,000 and mentorship from luxury executives. Dior’s creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri praised her:

“It’s the first time we’ve seen a sustainability project with real numbers. She’s selling.”

Larsson’s designs redefine upcycling, a term coined in 1994 by German engineer Reiner Pliz. Instead of altering materials, she preserves their original shape—using ribbon rosettes, ballpoint pens, watch faces, and even envelopes as core design elements.

“When you put something in a different space and use it differently, it changes how you see it.”

A Childhood Rooted in Resourcefulness

Growing up on a horse farm in rural Sweden, Larsson was raised with a “make-and-mend” philosophy. Her family grew their own food, chopped their own wood, and repurposed materials creatively. Her mother sewed clothes from fabric scraps, instilling a mindset that later shaped Hodakova’s ethos.

From Wax Jackets to Wooden Cellos

Hodakova’s most exclusive pieces—such as a dress made from an inside-out wax jacket, worn by Saoirse Ronan at a New York screening—are available only through the label’s website. Made on demand in approximately three weeks, each item is uniquely crafted. Meanwhile, more commercially wearable designs are stocked at Dover Street Market, Ssense, and 24 other global retailers.

Pushing Boundaries with New Designs

In Larsson’s latest collection, trousers were the centerpiece—transformed into floor-length gowns, double-breasted coats, and even nun wimples. Each retained its original waistband, now cleverly repurposed as a belt or neckline. “I love trousers,” Larsson said simply.

Other standout pieces included:

• Bulbous fur coats made from discarded pelt hats.
• Medusa-style dresses, with belts springing outwards like serpents.
• Jackets repurposed from leather pants.
• A final runway look featuring a model dressed only in the shell of a wooden cello.

Sticking to Purpose Over Profit

Amid a global luxury downturn, many designers prioritize commercial viability. Not Larsson. When asked whether she feels pressure to create more wearable styles, she responded:

“You can’t do what everyone else is doing. If you act with good purpose, you’ll find solutions.”

With Hodakova, fashion is no longer just about garments—it’s about reimagining the everyday into something extraordinary.

Source

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