Kimono Style | Students Take the Runway in Kyoto

On September 13, an unusual kimono show took place in Kyoto. It was in Okazaki Park, right in front of the gate to Heian Jingu Shrine. It was special because it was an entirely student-led event. I offered my cooperation and was invited to give a kimono talk for 30 minutes before the fashion show. 

The show took place at 6:30 PM, after dark, under flood lights, making the red runway look special for the models. This show was the culmination of a year of preparation by the students. 

It confirmed my opinion that students and young people in Japan are very interested in kimono, but they usually don't have any way to access it. To see students making kimono accessible for other students was very exciting and special.

A Student-Led Show

Kyoto Kimono Kikaku Club, the university kimono club, was originally started around 2003 as a way of introducing Japanese culture to students from abroad. Before the pandemic, the club held an annual kimono show in Kyoto. This was only their second show since the pandemic.

Second-year student Yanari An is this year's club leader, and she says that the club has about 40 members, including about 10 boys. Their vision is to increase awareness of kimono and help people see and experience it. 

To this end, they teach first-year students how to wear kimono. The club meets once a week, with smaller groups working on different projects. 

Members also go on outings in kimono and organize a biannual flea market called Kistory (short for "Kimono History"), where people can buy used kimono at bargain prices. Yanari said she joined the club in her first year because she wanted to wear kimono, and she has since made many new friends thanks to the club.

The fashion show is the club's main event of the year. This year's leaders were second-year student Wakaba Higuchi and assistant leader Mayu Ishikawa. We had several Zoom meetings, and I also made a day trip to Kyoto to take promotional photos with them around the campus. I also styled their outfits for the talk show.

Festive Vibes All Around

During the day, a row of booths lined the path to the stage, most run by various clubs. It had a feeling of a school festival, with people enjoying a shooting range and enjoying curry from the Kyoto University Curry Club. I was told that setting up the tents had been difficult last year, but this year it went more smoothly.

There is plenty of room for innovation and additional booths if other clubs want to get involved. During the day, students distributed a pamphlet containing the event guide, explanations of club activities, and an introduction to the sponsors.

Behind the scenes, the models, who had all attended a walking practice, were having their hair and makeup done. They were aided by two professional hair schools in Kyoto. A full team of women from Kyoto Kimono Gakuin (Kyoto Honko) and ULHA Salon helped dress them in kimono.

In addition to this support, about ten different kimono businesses in Kyoto lent kimono for the event. Support from these local businesses is vital to the success of the show.

Showtime!

After our talk show, which took place on the stage in the fading light, the kimono fashion show began. The stage was lit up, and additional atmosphere was provided by lit-up Japanese umbrellas provided by Kasa Hotaru. A crowd of around 300 people gathered to watch. 

The first half of the show was focused on wearing kimono to brighten up scenes from everyday life. Coffee and green tea-inspired outfits were notable, as was a bright red outfit suitable for visiting Chinatown. Dressing according to a theme is one of the ways in which kimono can be communicative and expressive in a way that regular clothing can't. 

After a magic show interlude, the second half featured kimono for more formal occasions, such as coming-of-age or attending graduation ceremonies. The outfits were cute and colorful, utilizing accessories such as lace, bags, and umbrellas to give an extra sense of contemporary girliness. 

The models, many of whom were repeaters after enjoying it so much last year, did a good job of walking and keeping the attention of the audience. The show was well-received, and the effort put in was evident to all who watched. The students had a great time wearing kimono, and I hope that their kimono event will go from strength to strength. 

RELATED:

• Kimono Style | Living and Working, Wearing and Sharing All Things Japanese
• INTERVIEW | Sheila Cliffe on the Kimono Community and Its Future
• INTERVIEW | Sheila Cliffe Life and Passion: All Wrapped in Silk 
• Sake Can Be A Global Tradition, Says Dassai President 

Author: Sheila Cliffe