Host: Mio

I took a Japanese embroidery class at Women's Art University. Japanese embroidery is used for kimonos and obis. However, due to job prospects being challenging, I chose the design course. My mother is a kimono teacher, and students used to come to our house when I was young. Seeing the transformation of women becoming incredibly beautiful in kimono compared to Western clothes amazed me. However, I disliked wearing kimonos. This was because it takes a lot of time to put on and is uncomfortable afterward. Hence, I decided to create kimonos and obis that are easy to wear.

Less than 5% of Japanese people can naturally wear kimonos. As a result, old kimonos are discarded as trash, except for those in excellent condition. This is not environmentally friendly. Additionally, the small size of kimonos presents a problem due to the height of many Japanese people. To address this, I improved the design to allow even taller individuals to comfortably wear antique kimonos. Furthermore, I purchase kimonos from acquaintances. They assist in collecting items for disabled people at handicapped facilities. The labor costs at such facilities are low, so by buying kimono-related items, I help increase their income and try to support them as much as possible. Lately, the Japanese are meticulous about wearing kimono collars neatly, aiming to make kimonos satisfying for even Japanese people. Confronting postpartum depression and the impact of COVID-19, I experienced severe emotional lows. Yet, when customers expressed that their experience was "enjoyable," it provided solace. I'll continue to strive for our customers' smiles in the future.