In Paris this spring, for lovers of silk, textiles and crafts, there is an exhibition you must see: Kimono, Au bonheur des Dames, at the Musée Guimet. 

Exceptional silk pieces

Until May 22, you will be able to admire unique pieces of the Matsuzakaya house which have exceptionally left the country. This house founded in 1611 in Kyoto first traded fabrics before making custom-made kimonos and other everyday clothes. An old house known throughout Kyoto, it then diversified to become an equivalent of our Parisian Bon Marché.
Several dozens of kimonos from the 17th to the 19th century have left its walls for the Guimet Museum, to our great joy.

Matsuzakaya Collection

You will discover kosode of all colors and learn the different printing techniques in use according to the social class of their owner.
Shibori, a dyeing technique using dye reserves, made by knots or stitches, is used alongside yuzen, another dyeing technique using rice glue stitches, on sumptuous pieces.

The kimono today

 The exhibition ends with kimonos revisited by contemporary designers, Western or Japanese. In particular, you will discover pieces from the Oiran collection, "Grande Courtisane", by Junko Koshino, a great Japanese designer contemporary of Kenzo.

I wish you a beautiful day full of sweetness,

Léa Petitjean

 "Great Courtesan", by Junko Koshino