While spending time in the tea room, I began to notice something unexpected—the clothes people wore.
What kind of fabric were they made of?
Where were these fabrics produced?
What kinds of textiles exist in Japan?
These questions slowly grew into a new curiosity.
I started to wonder: could we create something in America—something like a kimono or a haori—that fits naturally into modern life?
In January 2026, Ryu set out on a journey across Japan to खोज fabrics.
When people think of Japanese textiles, places like Tango chirimen in Kyoto, Enshu textiles, and Okayama’s indigo denim come to mind.
But living in Los Angeles, I wanted something that felt effortless and easy to wear in everyday life. So I visited both Kyoto’s Tango region and the Enshu area.
In total, I visited around 15 textile makers, meeting artisans and exploring a wide range of fabrics.
And then, I encountered it.
The texture of Kyoto Tango chirimen moved me deeply.
In that moment, I knew—this was the fabric I wanted to use to create a haori.