1 / 3Huáyǔ Kimono: Armor Kaftan
$80.00 CAD$100.00 CADSave $20.00 CAD
Amber Chevron Wave AnkaraTap to see fabric ↗
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✨ The Spark: It is no secret that kimonos made from Ankara are everywhere these days—they have become a staple in modern fashion. But despite seeing them everywhere, I didn't want to design just another basic kimono.
The breakthrough moment came while I was relaxing at home watching Filthy moduck on Korean drama. I have always loved K-dramas, and as I watched the characters (in that moment Nkasu) glide across the screen in their majestic, wide-sleeved traditional robes, I became completely captivated by how powerful, protective, and commanding their clothing made them look. What stood out to me most was the striking necklines—the way the robes framed the collar region beautifully while feeling entirely natural. That feeling stayed with me.
A few days later, while watching a YouTube video showcasing an artisan workshop, everything clicked. The video showed an artisan carefully aligning thick strips of hand-woven Àṣọ-Òkè on a cutting table. The heavy, rigid lines of the loom-weave felt incredibly structural, almost like architecture.I immediately envisioned using that stiff heritage fabric to engineer a nice, structured neckline that perfectly preserved the iconic kimono style. I wanted a collar that falls naturally open, allowing the wearer to style layers underneath that beautifully reveal the collar of whatever is worn beneath.
Injecting a sudden, unexpected burst of loud, colorful Ankara leaf print onto the panels and adding a modern zipper brought the whole vision together—transforming what could have been a traditional robe into a protective piece of wearable armor you can throw over any basic outfit to instantly feel royal.
The breakthrough moment came while I was relaxing at home watching Filthy moduck on Korean drama. I have always loved K-dramas, and as I watched the characters (in that moment Nkasu) glide across the screen in their majestic, wide-sleeved traditional robes, I became completely captivated by how powerful, protective, and commanding their clothing made them look. What stood out to me most was the striking necklines—the way the robes framed the collar region beautifully while feeling entirely natural. That feeling stayed with me.
A few days later, while watching a YouTube video showcasing an artisan workshop, everything clicked. The video showed an artisan carefully aligning thick strips of hand-woven Àṣọ-Òkè on a cutting table. The heavy, rigid lines of the loom-weave felt incredibly structural, almost like architecture.I immediately envisioned using that stiff heritage fabric to engineer a nice, structured neckline that perfectly preserved the iconic kimono style. I wanted a collar that falls naturally open, allowing the wearer to style layers underneath that beautifully reveal the collar of whatever is worn beneath.
Injecting a sudden, unexpected burst of loud, colorful Ankara leaf print onto the panels and adding a modern zipper brought the whole vision together—transforming what could have been a traditional robe into a protective piece of wearable armor you can throw over any basic outfit to instantly feel royal.
