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26 TRAVEL+LEISURE | JUNE 2020
A Story in Silk
A new coffee-table book examines the cultural
and historical significance of the kimono
through the lens of Japan’s most iconic design
house. BY HANNAH WALHOUTFrom left: A formal kimono, or uchikake,
from 1938; an embroidered Chiso katabira
(summer robe) from the Edo period.Founded in Kyoto in 1555, Chiso is known for
its richly dyed, printed, and embroidered
kimonos. The brand’s elaborate creations have
been worn by Buddhist monks and imperial
court members, and high-end labels like Dior
have collaborated with the house to bring
kimono-inspired looks to the runway. The
atelier’s legacy of intricate designs is the focus
of the just-released Kimono Couture: The Beauty
of Chiso (D Giles Limited, $35), an extensive
collection of behind-the-scenes photos,
sketches, and artisan interviews. Authors Vivian
Li and Christine Stark—both guest curators at
the Worcester Art Museum in Massachusetts—
traveled to Chiso’s atelier, a red-brick building
in downtown Kyoto, to meet its weavers and
dyers and learn about their 20-step kimono-
making technique. The book offers a glimpse into
this process, and showcases noteworthy pieces,
such as an elaborate wedding kimono from the
early 20th century and a contemporary unisex
style by Japanese designer Yohji Yamamoto.
Later this year, several of the garments will
travel to Worcester for an exhibition—the first
time Chiso works have been displayed in
the U.S. in nearly 150 years. worcesterart.org;
November 7, 2020–January 31, 2021.TAL0620_Discoveries.indd 26 FINAL 4/21/20 6:45 PM