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Miyukiproject

When I decided to join a Kimono class about 4 years ago I had no idea I would one day
design my own Kimono and become immersed in Kimono culture.
My name is Sabrina Gross and I`m a Wasai student and Kimono designer from Europe. I
have lived in many countries in the world but my roots are in Hungary. I have always been
fascinated by the fashion world, whether it's temporary fashion, Haute Couture or movie
costumes. I love how it is so versatile, ever-changing, everlasting, and transforming. When I
was a little girl I saw the movie Memoirs of a Geisha and I fell in love with the story and the
beauty of the Kimono. I was impressed by its elegant and feminine shape and the rich
artistic craft expressed on the garment.
I wanted to wear one of them and feel like a Geisha, too.
When I moved to Japan I was seeking for an opportunity to learn more about Kimonos and
how they are made. After some online research I found a Wasai school in Tokyo called the
Miyuki Project in Meguro (http://www.miyukipro.com/wasaikyoshitsu.html). The class teaches
the students how to make their own Kimono or Yukata and also about the culture of wearing
them. The classes were full but my teacher still accepted me even though I could speak
almost no Japanese back then. I relied a lot on Hisami's translations, who is the owner of the
studio and she has been a wonderful support and teacher throughout my projects ever
since.
The first kimono I made was a lined silk Kimono, so I took up a big challenge right from the
start. I wanted to create a beautiful Kimono for the Spring season to watch the cherry
blossom festival. I drew inspiration from one of the Kimonos worn in the movie The Geisha.
I had just a week to find a tamono for my project and luckily just a day before my class I
found the right one in a small vintage Kimono store, close to my home. It was made of a pretty blue rinzu silk with pretty spring motifs showing Narcisse, cherry blossoms, camellia and
swallows. The shop owner gave me the matching lining fabric and I was ready to start my
first Kimono the next day.
On the first day we would take my measurements and do pattern-matching. My tamono
was depicting unregular motifs so it was important to plan beforehand on the placing of the
motifs. Major "points" are on the left upper chest and the front knee area. Those are the
areas most visible to the eye when looking at the Kimono.
After matching the patterns and cutting out the pieces I could then start the sewing process.
Only using hands, needle and thread coupled with a lot of patience and learning. I love
working creatively by hand so it was an enjoyable task for me and I loved seeing the kimono
slowly coming together. After 6 months of sewing at school 3 times a month and at home
the spring Kimono was completed and I was so proud to see how nicely it came out for my
first time. My teacher was proud and surprised to see how well I was doing without any
experience.
Enthusiastically I continued the class and decided to sew more Kimonos using different
fabrics for different seasons and occasions but the blue spring Kimono will always be the
most meaningful to me since it sparked my passion for Kimono making and the start of my
Kimono journey.