• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Looking for something?

Get in touch

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Vivat Veritas

Custom Wedding Dress & Kimono Upcycled Clothes | オーダーメイドウェディングドレス&着物ドレス

  • Home
  • About
    • Press
    • Collaborations
  • Blog
  • Bridal
    • Lovely Words
    • Price List
  • Sewing Class
  • Kimono Dress
    • MADE-TO-ORDER BUSTIERS
  • Contact
  • Location
  • 日本語
/ Blog

Blog

Four Years Old

May 19, 2015 By Chie

cupcakes3

Kiko turned four last month. Although we threw her birthday parties every year up until now (first, second and third), we decided not to do it this year and enjoy a quiet birthday by ourselves. I made her mini cupcakes and Andy got her Belle and Rapunzel dolls. She loved them and played with them for an hour. I loved playing with my dolls as a child, so I enjoy seeing Kiko plays with them too.

On her birthday, she had  daycare in the morning. At the end of the daycare, a caretaker usually gives me a slip of paper describing what she ate, whether she pooped and one paragraph journal of how she was for the day. On that day, it said something like this in Japanese: “Today was Kiko’s birthday. She was excited to tell everyone about her birthday. I (the caretaker) asked what she wanted to be when she grew up. She said she wanted to be like mommy”.
Parenting has ups and downs. There are some days that I feel I’m doing an alright job as a mother and there are some days that I get haunted by the thought that I might be screwing up or completely ruining Kiko’s life because of what I’m doing or not doing. It was one of those days that made me happy because she said she wanted to be like me! It was such an honor. I know you might think that every little girl says that, but it made me happy nonetheless.
娘が4歳になりました。
これまでは毎年お誕生日会をやっていたのですが、今年はお休み。
家族でゆっくり過ごすことにしました。
カップケーキを作って、一緒に飾りつけ。
保育園の先生に、大きくなったらマミーみたいになりたいってこっそり言っていたと教えてもらって、
なんかほっこり。
嬉しかったです。

cupcakes1 cupcakes2 cupcakes4 kiko 4th birthdaychie sig2Find me elsewhere:

Rental Sewing Space in Tokyo

May 13, 2015 By Chie

tokyo rental sewing space vivat veritas

“Co-working spaces” have been popping up all over Tokyo these days. It is a great place for someone like me who works from home to work, to meet new people and network. I’ve signed up for one place near Tokyo station and have been enjoying the new environment. Little did I know that a co-working space for sewers and crafters existed. Recently, I saw a facebook post that my friend made. The place is called “coromoza” and it is where you can sew, print fabrics, use a CAD  laser cutter and hang out with like-minded people.
Some of my expat friends here in Tokyo sew, but have a problem finding space to set up a sewing machine or find the length of their stay prevents them from investing in a machine and other equipment. Coromoza seems to be a perfect place for them!
I decided to check out the place one afternoon.

The place is a bit hard to find, unless you have Google Maps or exact direction to the place. It is about a minute walk from the exit 7 of Meiji Jingu Mae (明治神宮前駅) station (Fukutoshin line or Chiyoda line). The outside looks like an ordinary apartment building without any distinguishing sign. The name of the building is “Jingu Heights(神宮ハイツ)”. I double checked because it felt as though you are going into someone’s apartment without permission. Coromoza is on the 4th floor of the building. Coromoza outside view Vivat Veritas BlogHow to get to sewing studio coromoza

The place is smaller than I expected, but is well equipped with professional sewing machines (the speed and power are somewhat between that of home sewing machine and industrial sewing machine), surgers, CAD, vacuum iron, embroidery sewing machine, fabric printer and more. The price is 270yen per 15 minutes for non-members (so it costs 1080 yen per hour) or 3780 yen for a day. More details here (Japanese only).

tokyo rental sewing space vivat veritas blog1 tokyo rental sewing space vivat veritas blog2 tokyo rental sewing space vivat veritas blog3 tokyo rental sewing space vivat veritas blog4 tokyo rental sewing space vivat veritas blog5 I hope this review is useful, and feel free to email me if you have any questions.

P.S. My review on Japanese online sewing supply stores here.

Coromozaという、明治神宮前にある服作りに必要なものが揃っているレンタルスペースに行ってきました。
職業用ミシン、ロックミシン、刺繍ミシン、CAD、レーザーカッターや布プリンターなど、家庭には置けないようなものも揃っていました。
場所は駅近ですが、ちょっと分かりずらいかも。
外見はふつうのアパートの一室です。

家に使えない機械を試したりと、今後活用したいと思います!

chie sig2Find me elsewhere:

DIY Faux Leather Baseball Cap

May 11, 2015 By Chie

DIY faux leather baseball cap by Vivat Veritas2

There was a time when I was obsessed with a thought of wearing leather pants. I saw a picture on Pinterest (like this or this) with some fashion magazine editor rocking leather pants and  decided it’s was the coolest thing. Because real leather pants are very expensive (over $1000!!) I searched Rakuten, my go to place for cheap replica of expensive designs. I bought my pair for about $15. It is made out of matte black stretch pleather. I liked them a lot and every time I wore them, it made me feel like a rock star. But unfortunately they quickly fell apart. Look at this picture of crotch. I was sad, but at least it lasted me many wears and I’ve worn it for more than one year.

Before View Faux Leather Baseball Cap from Leggings Vivat Veritas
I kept the pants in my fabric stash hoping I’ll get to refashion it into something new. I happened to come across with this Japanese hat making book, titled “Kodawatte Boushi Tsukurimasu (こだわって帽子作ります)” at a local library. I am completely new to hat making (only done knitted hats) but I had all the material I needed: fabric, plastic interface (left over from using for waist band for this wedding dress), iron-on interface and grosgrain ribbon.
It was a quick sew. Only two pieces of patterns needed! Brim and crown. Because the pleather was not sticky like oil cloth, I had no problem with sewing it with my regular needle and machine.
It was fun to make and it kept me cool from strong sun during the Golden Week outing.

Japanese Hat Sewing Book Vivat Veritas Blog DIY faux leather baseball cap by Vivat Veritas DIY faux leather baseball cap by Vivat Veritas3 Japanese Sewing Book on Baseball Cap Vivat Veritas

一時期ハマって履いていたフェイクレザーのパンツが破れてしまったのでキャップにリメイクしました。
楽天で買った安物だったのですが、なんかレザーパンツってかっこいいって思っていた時期だったのでなんとか再利用したくて。

図書館で借りた、「こだわって帽子作ります」という本からの型紙でキャップが出来ました。
パターンはつばとクラウンの2つでとってもシンプル。
ダークデニムとかでも作ってみたいな。

chie sig2

Find me elsewhere:

« Previous Page
Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

JOIN MY EMAIL LIST

You can read a sample newsletter here, including my latest edition.

Recent Posts

  • UNPLAN shinjuku Pop Up
  • Japanese Iconic Pop Up & Mini Fashion Show 
  • Responsible Marché Vol.8 — A Day to Discover the Stories Behind Clothes
  • Seplumo Nihonbashi POP UP
  • Coaster Aobadai X VIVAT VERITAS POP UP

Categories

Follow me

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

♥ Blog Archives

  • Etsy
  • Creema

Footer

ABOUT ME

My name is Chie. I design and make custom wedding dresses in Tokyo, Japan. Read More…

GET UPDATES!

Get monthly updates including new items in the shop, favorite links and more!

CONTACT

Feel free to send a message if you have any comment:

chie@vivatveritas.com

LET´S GET IN TOUCH

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
実はこのお洋服、今回のショーに入れるか自分では迷っていました。結構前に作った作品だったので。でもヘレ 実はこのお洋服、今回のショーに入れるか自分では迷っていました。結構前に作った作品だったので。でもヘレンと話す中で、これも一緒に見せようと決めました。

ヘレンと3週間近く一緒に準備を進める中で、コレクションの作り方、見る人を楽しませる魅せ方、ルック全体の組み立て方など、本当にたくさんのことを学びました。自分一人だったらこのルックスを入れる決断はしなかったと思う。誰かと一緒に作ることで見えてくるものがあるんだなと、改めて実感しました。
ヘレン、ありがとう♡

Honestly, I wasn't sure whether to include this piece in this show. It was something I'd made a while back. But talking it through with Helen, we decided to show it together after all.

Working with Helen for almost three weeks to prepare for the show, I learned so much — how to build a collection, how to style looks that engage an audience, how to put together a look as a whole. I don't think I would have made the decision to include this piece if I'd been on my own. Creating something together with someone else really opens your eyes to things you wouldn't see alone.

thank you Helen @designerhelen♡

Model @izumi_nishida

Photographer 
@nothing_special_88 

Jewelry
@viviange

Hair 
@angh0
@sho_kanaida
@iam__little__boy

Make up
@glam_by_jyoti

#KimonoUpcycled #SustainableFashion #DesignerCollab #着物リメイク #ものづくり

Model @izumi_nishida

Photographer 
@nothing_special_88 

Jewelry
@viviange

Hair 
@angh0
@sho_kanaida
@iam__little__boy

Make up
@glam_by_jyoti
お客様からお預かりした大切な帯。 大切に保管されていた帯ほど、実は「日常でどう使えばいいかわからな お客様からお預かりした大切な帯。

大切に保管されていた帯ほど、実は「日常でどう使えばいいかわからない」という声をよく伺います。だからこそ、その帯の物語を読み解きながら、現代の暮らしに馴染むデザインに仕立て直すことを意識してます😌

パッと見にはわからないけれど、実は使いやすさを追求した仕掛けが隠れています。

ショルダーを付ければ、両手が空くアクティブなスタイルにも対応👜

あなたの思い出の帯も、こんな風に日常の相棒にしてみませんか?

A precious obi entrusted to me by a client.

I often hear people say they aren't sure how to incorporate their cherished obis into their daily lives. That is exactly why I focus on reading the story woven into the fabric and reimagining it into a design that fits modern living😌

There are hidden details that make this bag truly functional, even if you can't see them at first glance. By attaching the shoulder strap, it becomes the perfect hands-free bag for an active lifestyle👜

#upcycledfashion #着物リメイク #obibag #remake #sustainablestyle
飛行機と電車の中で作ったジャケットです✈️🚆 去年の夏の3週間、アメリカとヨーロッパを旅しながら、 飛行機と電車の中で作ったジャケットです✈️🚆

去年の夏の3週間、アメリカとヨーロッパを旅しながら、座席でひたすらチクチク🪡着物の裏地にキルト芯を挟んで、フリーハンドで刺し子して、日本に帰ってから染めました。

This jacket was made on airplanes and trains✈️🚆

Over three weeks last summer, traveling through the US and Europe, I stitched away in my seat🪡 
Kimono lining sandwiched with quilt batting, sashiko stitched freehand, then dyed after I got back to Japan.

Model
@kana_nakar

Photographer 
@nothing_special_88 

Nails
@ms_muse_nail

Jewelry
@viviange

Hair 
@angh0
@sho_kanaida
@iam__little__boy

Make up
@glam_by_jyoti

#kimonoupcycle #sashiko #sustainablefashion #ReleasedReimagined
#刺し子
お客様から届いたステキな帯を、オーダーメイドのリュックにアップサイクルしました✂️ 吉祥文様が織り お客様から届いたステキな帯を、オーダーメイドのリュックにアップサイクルしました✂️

吉祥文様が織り込まれた錦の帯地は、黒地に金・白・紫…と、見る角度によって表情が変わる贅沢な一品。その美しさをそのまま活かしながら、毎日持ち歩きたくなる使いやすいリュックに仕立てました。内ポケット付きで、実用性もしっかり。

受注制作についてはプロフィールのリンクよりお問い合わせください💌

A client’s treasured obi has found a new life as a custom-made backpack✂️

The brocade fabric, woven with auspicious Japanese motifs, shifts from gold to white to violet depending on the light, a truly luxurious textile. I tried to preserve its beauty while crafting it into a backpack you’d actually want to carry every day. Complete with interior pockets for real-world practicality.

For custom orders, visit the link in our profile 💌

#KimonoUpcycle #SlowFashionJapan #WearableHeritage #着物リメイク #帯リメイク
着物リメイクをするとき、どうしても捨てられてしまうことの多い裏地。 薄手のシルクの手触り、もったい 着物リメイクをするとき、どうしても捨てられてしまうことの多い裏地。

薄手のシルクの手触り、もったいなくてサマーワンピースに生まれ変わらせました。

そのままでは物足りないのでアーティストの Riko Monma @rikoshurimonmaさんに染め直しをお願いしたら、一気に息を吹き返しました✨

数年前に作ったこの一着、今回の @designerhelен とのイベントで、コレクションに加えることにしました。

Helenからは色の組み合わせについていろいろアドバイスをもらって、自分だけでは絶対に辿り着けなかったような配色を試してみたり。準備の時間も、とても楽しかった😌

The lining of a kimono — often discarded when the fabric is remade into something new.
That soft, lightweight silk felt too good to let go, so I turned it into a summer dress. It needed something more, so I asked artist Riko Monma to dye it for me — and suddenly it came alive again.

I made this piece a few years ago, but for the recent event with @designerhelena, I decided to bring it into the collection. Helen gave me so much guidance on color — combinations I never would have arrived at on my own. The whole preparation process was just really, really fun😌

Model
@bethenny.x

Photographer 
@nothing_special_88 

Nails
@ms_muse_nail

Jewelry
@viviange

Hair 
@angh0
@sho_kanaida
@iam__little__boy

Make up
@glam_by_jyoti

#着物リメイク #キモノアップサイクル #KimonoUpcycle #SustainableFashionTokyo #ReleasedReimagined
生地をよく見ると、お姫様が👸 金彩の御所車、菊、そしてひっそりと佇む姫。 裾に宿ったまま、また別 生地をよく見ると、お姫様が👸

金彩の御所車、菊、そしてひっそりと佇む姫。 
裾に宿ったまま、また別の人生を歩みだしました♡

Released. Reimagined. — Helen Castillo @designerhelen x Vivat Veritas 

Look closely at the fabric — there’s a princess👸

A gilded royal carriage, chrysanthemums, and a maiden standing quietly in the shadows. Still living in the hem, she steps into another life♡

Model
@_kasumi.y

Photographer 
@nothing_special_88 

Hair 
@angh0
@sho_kanaida
@iam__little__boy

Make up
@glam_by_jyoti

Nails
@ms_muse_nail

#着物リメイク #御所解 #KimonoRemake #TokyoFashion #ReleasedReimagined
@allpress_espresso のコーヒーバッグで作りました☕️ Cafés do Bras @allpress_espresso のコーヒーバッグで作りました☕️

Cafés do Brasil 豆を運んでいた頃の文字が、そのままジャケットの背中に残っています。
着物だけでなく、面白い来歴のある生地をもっと取り入れていきたいと思っています✂️
素材:コーヒーバッグ × 着物シルク

Made from a coffee sack sourced from @allpress_espresso.

Cafés do Brasil — the stamp from its days carrying beans stays right there on the back. 

Kimono fabric has always been at the heart of what I do, but I want to bring in more materials with a history — things that have traveled, carried weight, meant something before they became a garment.

Materials: coffee sack × kimono silk

Photographer 
@nothing_special_88 

Model
@emorylove33

Jewelry
@viviange

Hair 
@angh0
@sho_kanaida
@iam__little__boy

Make up
@glam_by_jyoti

#upcycledfashion #sustainablestyle #coffeesack #wearablestories #ReleasedReimagined
蝶は、繭の中でひとりで変わるわけじゃない。 縫う人がいて、形が生まれる。 描く人がいて、顔に光が宿 蝶は、繭の中でひとりで変わるわけじゃない。

縫う人がいて、形が生まれる。
描く人がいて、顔に光が宿る。
飾る人がいて、耳元に物語が揺れる。

そのひとつひとつが重なって、
一着の服がランウェイで羽を広げます🦋

今回のショーに関わってくださったすべての方へ💌
ありがとうございました。皆様の手が、この服を完成させてくれました。

A butterfly doesn’t transform alone.

Someone sews, and a shape is born.
Someone paints, and light finds a face.
Someone adorns, and a story stirs beside the ear.

Each gesture layered upon the next —
until one garment spreads its wings on the runway🦋

To everyone who was part of this show 💌
Thank you.🥹Your hands brought this to life.

Photographer 
@nothing_special_88

Model
@yui78_02

Jewelry
@viviange

Hair 
@angh0
@sho_kanaida
@iam__little__boy

Make up
@glam_by_jyoti

#ReleasedReimagined #kimono #着物リメイク #sustainablefashion #runway
Follow me on Instagram

Copyright © 2026 · vivien theme by Lovely Confetti DMCA.com Protection Status

Copyright © 2026 Vivat Veritas