On the second floor of the gorgeous tea house Iyemon Salon on Sanjo Dori, tucked away behind the Sohya Tas kimono fabric products store, is a gallery of kimono design. It is always deserted and you can soak up the intricacies of stunning kimono designs up close. ‘Kimono’ literally means ‘something to wear’ in Japanese, but this style of dress is far from just something to wear – it is a display of tradition, beauty and story.
In the middle of the room is a large table, laid out with paper, sketching materials, and (rather curiously) an old English book of pattern design next to one about American quilts. It gives the impression that the designer has just popped downstairs for a cup of hojicha roasted tea… I love the way this quiet room gives you a peek into the life of a kimono designer, and opens the door to a world of colour and fabric.
