Altfield Gallery: Vintage Kimono Exhibition – Wearable Art

This June, Altfield Gallery is celebrating one of the most distinctive Japanese national crafts with a collection of vintage Japanese kimonos. The kimono is one of the most recognisable and iconic Japanese art forms. Meaning “thing to wear”, the versatile garment was worn by men and women throughout Japan until the late 19th/ early 20th century when Western styles of dress slowly slipped into normal life. Until today, women continue to wear kimonos, embodying all the virtues and beauty of a traditional way of life.

The beautiful collection of kimonos in the exhibition includes Uchikake – an outer coat, usually lined with red silk with a thick padded hem, worn over other garments without a sash, usually only worn by brides for weddings, or Kabuki stage performers, Furisode (meaning swinging sleeves) – a full length and long-sleeved kimono for young unmarried women, or Kabuki stage performers, and Haori – a short length Furisode.

See the collection at Altfield Gallery, Shop 249 Prince’s Building, Central.