AYATORI, a boutique Japanese brand that remakes kimono into accessories was set up in 2016 by Rika Evans.
Originally from Furano, Hokkaido, Rika remakes kimono and obi into items that are suitable for formal and more casual occasions alike. Bucking the trend of FMCGs, modern fast fashion, each piece is a one-off crafted from recycled material that not only saves the planet, but comes from fabric, which has a unique story to tell.
Whichever AYATORI product you choose, rest assured, there won't be countless identical items on sale.

The name AYATORI means cats's cradle in English. At first the seemingly simple activity based on playing with a single string, allows the creation of many different patterns, which is very similar to her product remaking process.We want to continue to send eco-conscious lovingly-made recycled products from Tokyo, Japan to everyone around the world. 　
As a child, as tradition required Rika frequently wore kimono when playing the koto and shamisen, traditional Japanese instruments.
From her childhood days she had the opportunity to wear kimono when playing the koto and shamisen, traditional Japanese instruments. Despite this, Rika wasn't especially interested in​ Japanese traditional culture, but later a chance to do a working holiday in the UK presented itself. Over there Japanese culture seemed to have become a part of people's lives. In London she went to a couple of exhibitions showcasing Japanese culture, where she researched which parts of​ Japanese culture were most appealing to foreigners.
We Japanese don't realise what's good about Japan. This led her to come to the realisation that she shouldn't leave unused kimono and obi in the wardrobe.
I want all kinds of people to be close to kimono.​The essence of AYATORI is fabric selection. The fabrics, colors and patterns all vary according to the age in which they were produced so please enjoy these unique and characteristic bags.
​The patterns of kimono differ according to what was fashionable in the age they were produced. When assessing the value of kimono, generally the older the garment, the greater its value.
​The wearing of traditional kimono in everyday life has sadly declined in recent years, however, they are often seen when worn as a dress or tunic and sometimes remade so they don't resemble the more customary way kimonos are worn.
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​so...
We produce our product 120% in local made with love.
we hope all our product makes everyone happy.
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thank you.

日本の文化をもっと身近に感じてもらいたいと、着物や日本特有のデザインを中心に扱う、
和のオリジナルファッションブランドです。
和風ですが、それをあまり感じさせない新旧融合の新しいカタチです。

私たちのこだわりは、作品製作に必要な生地やパーツを、実際にお店に足を運び直接セレクトしていることです。着物や帯の柄はとても独創的ですが、残念ながらその多くは、捨てられているのが現状です。
リサイクル着物を使うことで、ECOに、また異なった時代の生地、色の発色・柄の傾向はとても魅力的なものであることを紹介できたら嬉しいです。

​自らデザイン・製作を手がけた商品は全てハンドメイドの一点物です。オーダーメイドも可能です。

着物は難しくて着られないけれど、AYATORIならワンポイントに取り入れたらおもしろいし個性的！と思っていただけるような商品を展開しています。
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AYATORIを通して、日本の古き良き時代の文化・遊びに少しでも興味を持っていただけることを願っています。

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