Our Story

Why I started making neckties from Japanese kimono:

 

It all started when an American friend approached me with a unique request: “I want to make neckties from kimono, but I need your help.” At the time, I was already involved in transforming kimono into Western-style clothing, with the goal of preserving and sharing the beauty of this traditional Japanese garment in a fresh, modern way.

These days, fewer people wear kimono, and many are letting go of them for various reasons—whether it’s the complexity of putting one on, the hassle of wearing it, or the difficulty in cleaning the fabric. I began to wonder how we could keep these beautiful garments relevant in today’s world. One solution I found was to remake them into something more contemporary, which led me to this new venture.

When the request to make a necktie from a kimono came in, I knew the basics of necktie construction but had never tried it myself. My philosophy is simple: if something sparks my interest, I’ll give it a shot. So, I decided to take on this challenge.

The moment I finished my first kimono necktie, I was struck by how perfectly the elegance of the kimono translated into this new form. It was a beautiful blend of Western tradition and Japanese culture.

My new challenge is to share the beautiful Japanese culture of kimono with people around the world through our unique “Kimono Ties.”

Our Kimono Ties are lovingly crafted by local artisans in Mitsuke City, a town renowned for its textile heritage.The kimono I use carry their own stories, and I hope you’ll appreciate those stories as much as the ties themselves.

 

Ariri Design / KimonoTies.com

Kayoko Ariji Warr, Founder

Photo by @takumi_october_photo