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KIMONO HIME! JAPANESE SILK ROBES, GEISHA COSTUMES, WA LOLITA.


Wa Lolita, Kimono Hime magazine. Modern kimonos in Tokyo, Japan. Kimono fashion, geisha makeup costumes and hair on pretty Japanese girls.

One of the many plusses of fashion blogging is that you get swag. My cat Basil Farrow got autographed books; I got Happy Socks and other products to test-drive (some of which you’ll see this week). But by far the best perk is reader interaction, and I’ve discovered many new favorites from links and recommendations that you’ve shared.

I know many of us are intrigued by Wa Lolita, so a reader very kindly sent me scans of Kimono Hime, a long-out-of-print magazine from the same publisher as KERA. Each issue cost $18 – but it was worth it for the vibrant silk prints and textures on each page.

Kimono fashion, geisha makeup and hair on pretty Japanese girls. Wa Lolita, 1920s flapper hat and old Japanese movie costumes

The magazine’s styling is like nothing I’ve seen: modern flourishes that enhance but never overwhelm the kimono’s timeless beauty.

Dreamy Japanese art with cherry blossoms, pretty geisha girls in kimonos. Ancient imperial Japan fashion, geisha makeup. Wa Lolita, silk robes and old Japanese movie costumes

I like the weathered feel of this fashion spread: sleepy-eyed girls floating over glistening Japanese landscapes.

I know you want to see more of Kimono Hime, and you certainly can on this Flickr set. There’s even a “street snaps” section!

Song of the Day #35: Pet Shop Boys – Suburbia (best moment – when the interlude kicks in at 3:26!)

SHARE & COMMENT

23 Comments

  1. sean sean
    Posted January 27, 2009 at 2:34 pm | Permalink

    lovely.

  2. Josh
    Posted January 27, 2009 at 3:25 pm | Permalink

    good stuff

  3. Vladnemesis
    Posted January 27, 2009 at 3:26 pm | Permalink

    yay!!! I love kimonos but I dont have any >__<

  4. chaoticLady
    Posted January 27, 2009 at 4:32 pm | Permalink

    ah sooo fine :)

  5. sean sean
    Posted January 27, 2009 at 10:34 pm | Permalink

    lovely.

  6. kagitsune
    Posted January 27, 2009 at 5:41 pm | Permalink

    want want want want want want want…

    These images and concepts are to DIE for, the 1st-middle and 2nd-right, especially! I'm going to have to get my hands on one of these magazines!!!! ^O^

  7. lacarmina
    Posted January 27, 2009 at 6:13 pm | Permalink

    Such a shame that it's no longer in print… but you can download 3 different resolution scans here:

    Low http://nign.net/KimonoHimeLowRes.rar
    Medium http://nign.net/KimonoHimeMidRes.rar
    High http://nign.net/KimonoHimeHiRes.rar

  8. Josh
    Posted January 27, 2009 at 11:25 pm | Permalink

    good stuff

  9. Vladnemesis
    Posted January 27, 2009 at 11:26 pm | Permalink

    yay!!! I love kimonos but I dont have any >__<

  10. chaoticLady
    Posted January 28, 2009 at 12:32 am | Permalink

    ah sooo fine :)

  11. kagitsune
    Posted January 28, 2009 at 1:41 am | Permalink

    want want want want want want want…

    These images and concepts are to DIE for, the 1st-middle and 2nd-right, especially! I’m going to have to get my hands on one of these magazines!!!! ^O^

  12. luxlux
    Posted January 28, 2009 at 12:02 am | Permalink

    theres a really Biba-ish 70s vibe here, especially the last pictures dont ya think? like if Barbara Hulanickihad had lived in Tokyo.. also i love that they live up to the 'hime' part of their name too- the white mouse and the squirrel are such a lovely fairytale touch. im inspired to go make my own geisha-style beaded hair pins now..:)

  13. luxlux
    Posted January 28, 2009 at 8:02 am | Permalink

    theres a really Biba-ish 70s vibe here, especially the last pictures dont ya think? like if Barbara Hulanickihad had lived in Tokyo.. also i love that they live up to the ‘hime’ part of their name too- the white mouse and the squirrel are such a lovely fairytale touch. im inspired to go make my own geisha-style beaded hair pins now..:)

  14. lacarmina
    Posted January 28, 2009 at 3:04 pm | Permalink

    You can browse covers of past issues of Kimono Hime on Amazon Japan:
    http://www.amazon.co.jp/s/qid=1233118307/ref=sr

    the “mook” has an irregular print schedule, but usually comes out once a year and sells out quickly.

  15. lacarmina
    Posted January 28, 2009 at 11:04 pm | Permalink

    You can browse covers of past issues of Kimono Hime on Amazon Japan:
    http://www.amazon.co.jp/s/qid=1233118307/ref=sr_st?__mk_ja_JP=%83J%83%5E%83J%83i&keywords=%22kimono%95P%22&rs=465610&page=1&rh=i%3Astripbooks%2Ck%3A%22kimono%95P%22&sort=-pubdate

    the “mook” has an irregular print schedule, but usually comes out once a year and sells out quickly.

  16. Dragonswyng
    Posted January 29, 2009 at 12:38 pm | Permalink

    WaLolita happens to be one of my fave looks

  17. Dragonswyng
    Posted January 29, 2009 at 8:38 pm | Permalink

    WaLolita happens to be one of my fave looks

  18. sonam
    Posted August 22, 2009 at 10:37 pm | Permalink

    Recently i read about one thing.. This antique Japanese black silk embroidered figural kimono robe dates from the 1920s. It is made of a black silk satin background with colorful raised…
    boys costumes

  19. sonam
    Posted August 23, 2009 at 5:37 am | Permalink

    Recently i read about one thing.. This antique Japanese black silk embroidered figural kimono robe dates from the 1920s. It is made of a black silk satin background with colorful raised…
    boys costumes

  20. Beethovan
    Posted August 23, 2009 at 10:08 pm | Permalink

    I just slip into one of some beautiful silk kimono robes and now am enjoying its elegant Japanese look and gentle touch on my body. Each kimono robe should be made from authentic factories so we can use it…
    plus size sexy costumes

  21. Beethovan
    Posted August 24, 2009 at 5:08 am | Permalink

    I just slip into one of some beautiful silk kimono robes and now am enjoying its elegant Japanese look and gentle touch on my body. Each kimono robe should be made from authentic factories so we can use it…
    plus size sexy costumes

  22. Beethovan
    Posted August 24, 2009 at 5:08 am | Permalink

    I just slip into one of some beautiful silk kimono robes and now am enjoying its elegant Japanese look and gentle touch on my body. Each kimono robe should be made from authentic factories so we can use it…
    plus size sexy costumes