Creates casual kimonos that anyone can wear, taking advantage of the original qualities of kimonos【IPPIN EN】

interview

Sayaka Sasahara

Operates “Ippin En”. She mainly produces women’s dresses, one-piece dresses and skirts. The company features designs that make the most of the original qualities of kimonos.

If you want to show your individuality, kimono remake fashion is the best! said Sasahara.

It was clear that Mr. Sasahara has a number of particulars about kimono casual wear, as he aims to create designs that anyone can wear, even though they are items that give them individuality.

This time we asked Mr. Sasahara about the “Ippin En” brand, What made you start kimono casual, Our commitment to activities, Future Goals, and more.

What kind of brand is Ippinen？

— What kind of activities does “Ippin En” do?

Sayaka Sasahara: We remake kimonos that are no longer worn or that would otherwise be thrown away into clothes.

I originally sold handicraft works and started remaking kimonos around May 2022.

— What is the origin of the brand name “Ippin-en”?

Sasahara: No two kimonos have the same pattern, they are all different, so “I hope each kimono can help each person in one scene of their life” and “Every single kimono is an important part of your life. strong>” and “We cherish each and every relationship“. We have given it the trade name “Itsuhin-en”, which means “We cherish our relationships with each and every product.Sasahara: No two kimonos have the same pattern, they are all different, so “I hope each kimono can help each person in one scene of their life” and “Every single kimono is an important part of your life. strong>” and “We cherish each and every relationship”. We have given it the trade name “Itsuhin-en”, which means “We cherish our relationships with each and every product.

— I think you sell a lot of women’s dresses. Was there any reason or impetus for this?

Sasahara: At first, I thought it would be a good idea to make a summer kimono into a summer dress.Sasahara: At first, I thought it would be a good idea to make a summer kimono into a summer dress.

From there, we began to receive many requests for dresses from customers, so we naturally began making dresses.

Reason for starting Kimono Casual

— What was it that led you to remake kimonos?

Sasahara: I heard a story about my mother’s attempt to dispose of her deceased grandmother’s kimono, and how she asked a company for a kimono purchase estimate, but they only gave her two or three bundles oSasahara: I heard a story about my mother’s attempt to dispose of her deceased grandmother’s kimono, and how she asked a company for a kimono purchase estimate, but they only gave her two or three bundles of money and she quit selling. I heard about it.f money and she quit selling. I heard about it.

So I remade kimonos into clothes rather than dispose of them, which is how I started kimono casual wear.

— I think there are a lot of differences between the handicrafts you had been doing and the kimono remake.

Sasahara: I have been doing various crafts and handicrafts, but the materials used for kimono are different from those used for cloth sold at handicraft stores. Therefore, I first studied how to handle kimono, including how to wash, remove stains, and untie.Sasahara: I have been doing various crafts and handicrafts, but the materials used for kimono are different from those used for cloth sold at handicraft stores. Therefore, I first studied how to handle kimono, including how to wash, remove stains, and untie.

At first, I didn’t know how to handle it, and I washed silk items and let the smell fill the house, and I even shrunk my kimono and let the color fade (laughs).

Also, the kimono is made entirely of one piece of cloth, which is straight and has a fixed width.

There are many things to think about, such as how to add to it, and it’s many times harder than making ordinary clothes. strong>.

Commitment to activities

— Do you have anything you value or are particular about in your activities?

Sasahara: We are particular about remaking kimono into clothes with less formal designs so that they can be worn casually.

In Japan, one trillion yen worth of kimonos are thrown away each year, and it is said that 700 million kimonos lie in wardrobes across the country, unworn. orange”>It is said that there are 700 million kimonos that are not being worn.

So, although we have many customer requests and produce clothes that can only be worn on certain occasions, such as party dresses, we would like to continue to produce items, including clothes that can be easily used for any occasion.

— I felt that your prices are on the lower side of the kimono casual market. Is there any reason why you are able to sell your products in this price range?

Sasahara: In my case, I make them in a simple design that makes the most of the original kimono patterns and designs as much as possible, so I think I can sell them at a low price for kimono remake products. I think we are able to sell our products at a low price for kimono remake products.Sasahara: In my case, I make them in a simple design that makes the most of the original kimono patterns and designs as much as possible, so I think I can sell them at a low price for kimono remake products. I think we are able to sell our products at a low price for kimono remake products.

However, in light of the recent situation in the apparel industry, I think this price is reasonable, and that is why we have set it.

We hope that the value of kimono fashion will increase in the future.

What we want to achieve through our brand

— Is there anything you would like to achieve with “IPPIN-EN”?

Sasahara: Recently, I often feel that people from overseas are rather interested in Japanese culture, and in fact, we sometimes receive purchases from overseas. Of course, we would like to spread the charm of kimono and Japan to such people from all over the world, but at the same time, we think that if we, Japanese, can understand the beauty of kimono and use it as a fashion item in our daily lives, it will spread even further. I think it will spread even further.Sasahara: Recently, I often feel that people from overseas are rather interested in Japanese culture, and in fact, we sometimes receive purchases from overseas. Of course, we would like to spread the charm of kimono and Japan to such people from all over the world, but at the same time, we think that if we, Japanese, can understand the beauty of kimono and use it as a fashion item in our daily lives, it will spread even further. I think it will spread even further.

However, in reality, the majority of Japanese do not wear kimonos because of the difficulty of dressing and caring for them.

Therefore, by making it into clothing, we want people to feel free to incorporate it into their fashion and keep kimono and tradition alive.

— I understand that you also receive orders from overseas. If you receive orders from overseas, are they made to fit the height of the customer?

Sasahara: The one-piece dress in the shape we are making now is free size, and while the length will of course vary depending on height, it is designed to cover everyone from the thin to the full in the torso.Sasahara: The one-piece dress in the shape we are making now is free size, and while the length will of course vary depending on height, it is designed to cover everyone from the thin to the full in the torso.

It can be worn by any person, which is what we are particular about.

Outlook for the future

— Do you have any future goals or things you would like to do as “Ippin En”?

Sasahara: Currently, we tend to produce party dresses, which are often requested by our customers, but we would also like to produce bags that can be worn as everyday wear or that go with coordinated outfits in parallel with those items. I would also like to produce items that can be worn as everyday wear and bags that go well with coordinated outfits.Sasahara: Currently, we tend to produce party dresses, which are often requested by our customers, but we would also like to produce bags that can be worn as everyday wear or that go with coordinated outfits in parallel with those items. I would also like to produce items that can be worn as everyday wear and bags that go well with coordinated outfits.

Many people make bags, but they are often made by older people, and the designs give the impression of being for older people, so I want to make bags designed for men and women of all ages. I would like to make bags designed for men and women of all ages.

Lastly

In this issue, we asked Mr. Sasahara of “Ippin-en” about how the brand got started, activities, Our commitment to activities and Future Prospects. Thank you very much, Mr. Sasahara, for accepting this interview.

If you are interested in items such as kimono dresses and one-piece dresses, or if you are interested in items that are simple and have the original quality of kimono, please visit mail order sites such as minne and Creema and check them out for yourself.

Thank you for taking the time to read this to the end.