interview
Mikiko Takagi
MikiLirry, a kimono remake and original sales store in Nagoya, is run by her and her daughter. You can visit the store as well as online, and feel free to consult with them about anything related to kimono.
Ms. Takagi runs the casual kimono brand “MikiLirry” with her daughter.
Mr. Takagi described this MikiLirry as the true culmination of his career.
In this issue of The Process of Starting MikiLirry, The Brand activities, Our commitment and Future We asked them about their promotion and goals for the future.
Activity Content
Brand Introduction
— MikiLirry, please tell us about your activities.
Mikiko Takagi (Takagi): Making clothes and bags from kimonos and obis We are a brand that creates and sells Produces and sells kimono casual wear and original clothes made from ordinary cloth that are not kimonos.
I work with my daughter and we have been branding for exactly 10 years.
We mainly sell our products on the internet. We do not have a physical store, but we accept orders from customers who wish to visit our store.
— You and your daughter are working together.
Takagi: That’s right. I do the design and production of the clothes, and my daughter is in charge of the website, Instagram, and other online-related matters, as well as photography.Takagi: That’s right. I do the design and production of the clothes, and my daughter is in charge of the website, Instagram, and other online-related matters, as well as photography.
We also hold weekly sewing classes as an activity.
— Which was your sewing teacher or MikiLirry’s first?
Takagi: I originally attended a Western-style dressmaking school, and after working as a designer, I taught Western-style dressmaking at a Western-style dressmaking school.Takagi: I originally attended a Western-style dressmaking school, and after working as a designer, I taught Western-style dressmaking at a Western-style dressmaking school.
In the course of teaching, I became very interested in kimono remakes. All this time I finally arrived at kimono casual wear from a stream of about 20 years old.
My real culmination is MikiLirry.
What kind of products are you selling？
——— Do you only make women’s items？
Takagi: We often make dresses and skirts for women, but we also make men’s clothes.Takagi: We often make dresses and skirts for women, but we also make men’s clothes.
Many are remaking aloha shirts from yukata they no longer wear.
When remaking men’s kimonos, they are often made into pajamas.
It’s silk and comfortable, and as with all custom-made items, you can make it in the size that suits you.
Reason for starting Kimono Casual
— It has been 10 years since you started MikiLirry.
Takagi: At the time, I was making bags woven with long, thin strings, which I enjoyed so much that I taught them to my friends and gave them away, and they were so well received that I made dozens of them over the course of a year.Takagi: At the time, I was making bags woven with long, thin strings, which I enjoyed so much that I taught them to my friends and gave them away, and they were so well received that I made dozens of them over the course of a year.
I gradually became interested in selling them, and my daughter suggested that we do it together since I would do the internet, etc., and that’s how MikiLirry started.
This name MikiLirry is also a combination of my name, “Miki” and < span class=”swl-marker mark_orange”>the name of the lilly school of dressmaking that I used to attend, and the name of the lilly school of dressmaking I used to attend. I named it after the Lily School of Western Art where I used to attend.
The logo is based on the motif of “cherry blossoms,” the national flower of Japan and well-loved by everyone, We want to be a restaurant that is loved by everyone like cherry blossoms. strong>We created this logo with the meaning of “to be loved by everyone like the cherry blossoms.
Of course, I myself love cherry blossoms (laughs).
From there, we were blessed with customers and gradually began to receive orders, and 10 years passed in the blink of an eye as we worked with a single mind to spread the word to more and more people.
What we value in our activities
— Do you have any particular brand or business commitment that you value?
Takagi: When I ask people about their kimonos, many say that they have kept them in their wardrobes, or have already thrown them away. orange”>Already thrown away.Takagi: When I ask people about their kimonos, many say that they have kept them in their wardrobes, or have already thrown them away. orange”>Already thrown away.
That is why I was very sad to hear that they were being thrown away, although they have also started buying kimonos.
So I began to think I want to pass on more and more kimonos to the generations below and leave them behind.
In fact, there has been a considerable increase in the number of consultations and orders from people who have a lot of kimonos but are sad to throw them away and wonder what to do with them.
— Which is more common, people who buy products that have already been made or people who ask for custom-made products?
Takagi: Most of them are custom-made.Takagi: Most of them are custom-made.
Some visitors to the store bring more than 10 kimonos, so we ask for their opinions and discuss and give them advice on how to remake each kimono into a different design of clothing. We give advice on how each kimono should be remade into clothing. Then, after the customer is satisfied with the design, we actually make it.
For those who order online, our net store will take your order after you choose what you would like to have in this form.
The number of people who order online and those who come to the store is almost 50-50 now.
For those who have difficulty ordering or inquiring online, we also provide telephone support.
— Is your store located in Nagoya?
Takagi: It is located about 15 minutes by train from Nagoya Station. People from Kyoto, Tokyo and Chiba sometimes come to our store by Shinkansen.Takagi: It is located about 15 minutes by train from Nagoya Station. People from Kyoto, Tokyo and Chiba sometimes come to our store by Shinkansen.
Desired impact on society through business
— MikiLirry, do you have any ideas about how you would like to make an impact on society or Japan?
Takagi: I hope that the children at home will inherit their grandmother’s, mother’s, and father’s kimonos and remember and feel nostalgic when they wear them.
Also, considering the feelings of the people who made the wonderful furisode and tomesode, we would like them to use them in some dress or bag.
One is to want young people to know the beauty of kimono and pass it on to the next generation and to the next generation, and to those who are older and have no hope in life, without spending much money on kimono, We also hope that people will find a purpose in life by making and wearing their own kimono.
That is my main thought.
— I felt that your story about wanting people to have hope for life is quite meaningful, but what do you realize about these things?
Takagi: When I teach Western-style sewing classes, of course there are young people, but most of them are older people.Takagi: When I teach Western-style sewing classes, of course there are young people, but most of them are older people.
Many people look forward to coming to each class because they can talk with everyone and get energized by seeing what everyone is making.
Therefore, I have recently come to think especially that I want you to go outside and find all kinds of fun, instead of staying at home.
Outlook for the future
— MikiLirry, do you have any future plans or goals that you would like to achieve?
Takagi: We often hear that people have the image that taking a kimono to a remake store is expensive, and they throw it away because it is too expensive.Takagi: We often hear that people have the image that taking a kimono to a remake store is expensive, and they throw it away because it is too expensive.
So I want you to know that it is not that expensive and some stores can remake it.
Also, many kimono remake items are not only Japanese, but also fit with Western-style items, so I would like young people to use them a lot.
After all, I believe that most people are still unaware of kimono casual wear, so I have a strong desire to promote it.
Lastly
In this issue, Mr. Takagi of MikiLirry talks about what the brand does, why we started, Our commitment and future prospects.
Mr. Takagi, thank you very much for your time.
If you are interested in having your kimono remade into an item that can be used in daily life by having it custom-made for each individual, or if you are a woman, there are many items available, including dresses, skirts, bags, and aloha shirts for men, so please visit the website and If you are interested, please visit the website and check it out.
Thank you for taking the time to read this to the end.
コメント