ABOUT US
OUR STORY
We visited the Red Brick Market one Sunday in June 2021 with no intentions other than to fill a bit of time mooching around and perhaps pick up a few interesting gifts. The market hadn’t been open long but we could see that already the units were being filled quite quickly, and we joked “we could have one of these and sell vintage kimono”. We already had a large collection built up over almost 20 years which we were planning to downsize at some point, but it had never occurred to us to open a shop! Within 24 hours we were back at the market picking out a unit and signing a lease!
A couple of weeks and a lot of hard work later, we opened our little boutique which was officially launched on 3rd July. We now source vintage and antique kimono, haori jackets and accessories through our suppliers in Japan, as well as a range of quirky Japanese goods and occasional antiques.
We are looking forward to a time when we can visit Japan regularly again and bring and share with you more of what this wonderful country has to offer.
2004
Kimono World UK
Met dear friend and kimono teacher Emiko when she brought her performance group ‘Kimono World’ to England for the first time. Modelled in several of their shows.
2005
FIRST JAPAN VISIT
First of many, many wonderful trips to Japan. Spent 3 weeks in Kyoto visiting textile museums, taking part in specialist workshops and even had a private party with geisha.
May 2006
Japanese Festival
Organised a large Japanese festival, even arranging for a geisha and apprentice (maiko) to come and perform in the UK (a very rare thing!).
July 2006
Japan Crafts
Founded Japan Crafts, importing and selling Japanese handmade washi paper and fabrics, producing a range of craft kits as well as teaching crafts and giving talks/demonstrations on kimono dressing throughout the UK
2014
Kimono World UK
Brought Kimono World to England to perform, give schools workshops and organised a mini Japanese festival.
2014 – 2019
International Workshops
2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 taught Japanese craft workshops at anime convention ‘Katsucon’ in National Harbor, USA.
2017 delivered talks and craft workshops aboard P&O cruise ship ‘Arcadia’ around Japan, South Korea and China.
2019 delivered talks and craft workshops aboard P&O cruise ship ‘Arcadia’ around Japan, Papua New Guinea and Hong Kong
2021
Retro Kimono
In June 2021 we opened vintage/antique kimono shop ‘Retro Kimono’ at the Red Brick Market, Digbeth, Birmingham.
2021
…More Retro Kimono
More exciting Retro Kimono ventures to come…