Sustainability: Upcycled Kimono Silk

Making the Most of Every Piece of Kimono Silk

The kimono is Japan’s traditional dress, yet fewer people wear one each year. As a result, many kimonos are left unworn and eventually discarded in large numbers. At MOMO & NANA, we wanted to give these kimonos a second life.

One kimono, one-of-a-kind hijabs

We turn vintage kimonos into hijabs. A single kimono usually yields between one and four hijabs. Because the pattern falls differently on each piece of fabric, even hijabs made from the same kimono are never identical. Each one is the only one of its kind in the world.

The problem of the leftover scraps

Making hijabs, however, does not use up the whole kimono. Smaller pieces of fabric remain, too small to become a hijab but too beautiful to throw away.

Turning scraps into small Japanese accessories

So we created a second step: transforming the remaining silk into small Japanese accessories, such as scrunchies, magnetic ballpoint pens and more.  By giving every size of fabric a purpose, we can use the kimono right down to its smallest scraps. These accessories are available in store at selected locations in Japan, including Asakusa, Narita Airport, Osaka and a mosque in Tokyo.

Silk only

We use only silk, taken from traditional silk kimonos. Even with the same silk, the feel against the skin can vary widely. By choosing with care, we bring out a different texture in each piece.

Our belief

Every kimono carries the memories of its era. We believe the most respectful thing we can do is to use it with care, from the largest piece to the smallest scrap.