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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

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personal

Valentine’s Day Idea | $20 Gift Exchange

February 13, 2015 By Chie

valentines day 20 dollar gift exchange idea

Early Valentine’s day lunch at Bar de ESPANA LIBRA

Andy and I exchange gifts on special occasions that has a limit of $20. It started when we first got married. We were 22, and broke (Andy was still a student) but still wanted to make special days special. So we came up with the $20 gift exchange idea and even after 8 years of marriage we stuck with it.

When I tell my friends that I have a $20 limit on anniversary gifts, birthday gifts, valentine’s day gifts etc, they seem perplexed. But there is a lot you can do with $20! I love that it forces you to be a bit more creative. Here are some gifts I’ve given to Andy in the past:
– Three indoor golf lessons (found on Groupon)
– Handmade grappling dummy. These can cost up to 450 bucks.I used an online tutorial and made it out of PVC pipe, pillow and duct tape.
– Some CDs bought on ebay (you can tell that this is a gift from a while ago)
For this Valentine’s day, I gave him a new backpack which I scored with gift certificate, so it was still under the budget. It wasn’t the most creative gift, but it doesn’t have to be every time, right?
japanese hair curler heatless
japanese hair curler heatless2Andy gave me these heatless curlers! I do heatless curls overnight some nights. I usually wet my hair a bit and taking a piece of rag, I roll my hair with it and sleep with that on my hair. The curls usually last all day and I like that fact that it does not damage my hair. He always made fun of me for having rags all twisted up in my hair at bedtime so he bought me these plastic tube curlers. I haven’t tried them yet but they seem more comfortable than having rags in my hair!
Anyway, I always enjoy our gift exchange tradition. It’s fun. Would you try it with your boyfriend/husband? How do you decide on what to get for gifts and how much to spend? I’d love to read about it!
結婚した当時から、何かのイベント(誕生日、記念日、クリスマスなど)に、2000円リミットでプレゼントを旦那さんとあげっこするのが恒例になっています。
きっかけは、結婚後すぐは旦那さんが学生だったこともあり、自由になるお金が少なかったからなのですが、もう8年目になると、2000円だけという課題事態を楽しんでいます。
私は今回は貯めておいたギフトカードを使って新しいリュックをプレゼントしました。
旦那さんからは、熱を使わないカーラー!
寝る前に、今まで端切れに髪を巻き付けて寝ていた(翌朝ゆるウェーブになってるんです!)のですが、それを見かねたらしく、ちゃんとしたカーラーを買ってくれました。chie sig2
{find me elsewhere: shop, facebook, etsy, twitter, pinterest, instagram}

Filed Under: blog, blogs, every day life, holiday, personal, 日本語 Tagged With: gift idea, valentine's day

2014 in Review

December 31, 2014 By Chie

Today is the last day of 2014! This year has passed quickly and was a full of fun activities. I officially registered my business in the beginning of the year and decided to focus mainly on weddings. It was a lot of work but I had  great fun and learned a lot. I blogged less due to lack of time, but I am hoping to be able to post twice a week in the 2015. Thank you so much for those who participated in the blog survey. I really enjoyed reading everyone’s responses and it has helped me greatly already. I appreciate everyone’s support <3

Wedding dresses
Here are some of the wedding dresses I made this year.


vv wedding dress small1
{Two-way wedding dress}Vivat Veritas Beach Wedding1{Boho wedding dress and bridesmaid dresses}

beachy wedding dress{Beachy boho wedding dress}

Style2 Skirt9{Two-way wedding dress}natsumi vivat veritas wedding dress custom order1{Three-way gold lace wedding dress}

dress sketch3{Wedding dress sketch for a customer}Flower Girl4 {Satin & organza flower girl’s dress}

Clothes I made for myself
Here is around up of what I’ve made for myself this year. There are some items that did not make to blog but have been my favorites nonetheless. Hopefully I can take pictures of them soon. I made bunch of tops, including Grainline Studio Archer button ups (made four in total!) but no skirt or pants. Andy’s grandmother bought me Ginger jeans pattern from Closet Case Files for Christmas, so it will be my first sewing project for the year 2015.

pink coat completed2 by vivat veritas{Pink coat (BurdaStyle Wool Long Coat 08/2012#101B)}butterick 4610 modification camel wool coat by vivat veritas7{Butterick 4610 Camel Wool Coat}butterick 4610 boyfriend jacket by vivat veritas1{Butterick 4610 Pale Pink Jacket}

grainline studio archer button up shirt vivat veritas9{Grainline Studio Archer button up shirt}archer button up shirt silk version5{Grainline Studio Archer button up silk variation}

handmade gray t-shirt by vivatveritas1{Boyfriend T-shirt}daisy kimono close up1{Daisy print kimono}

kawasaki city dress by vivat veritas2{Kawasaki city dress}white tank dress with tulip hem vivat veritas blog3{White tank dress with tulip hem}

Photoshoots
I did a several photoshoots this year but most of them did not end up on the blog, mostly because I did not have time to sort through the photos. I posted under the “2014 Lookbook”, so you can check them out here if you are interested. I contributed as a wardrobe stylist for a promotional video shoot by students at Tokyo Visual Arts. It was shown in a gallery in Shibuya, and the link to the video is here.
Another highlight is that I participated in a fashion show for the first time! It was very exciting. My blog post is here.

bts5{Spring + Bridal Photoshoot}ami vivat veritas portfolio shoot2{Simple is Best}
Vivat Veritas Bridal Lookbook 2014 Boho Wedding Custom Dress3{Bridal Lookbook with Paint with Stars} Powder Blue and White Piping Scooter Dress VIVATVERITAS{Powder blue and sequin}IMG_1545antique studio shoot wedding dress vivat veritas{Antique studio shoot}630 butterfly hatano and vivat veritas collaboration wedding shoot{Collaboration with a photographer Taichi Hatano}

Easy DIYs
I love in-between projects. I can get an instant satisfaction out of easy DIYs. Here are some I’ve done this year.

before and after DIY sweatshirt{Sweatshirt DIY}pale pink faux leather clutch by vivat veritas2{DIY Pale Pink Faux Leather Clutch}Untitled-1{DIY 90’s dress to a peplum top}t-shirt to dress DIY Vivat Veritas Blog{Toddler T-shirt to dress tutorial}DIY dress to cropped top by vivat veritas{DIY Dress to a cropped top}DIY lace shorts by vivat veritas{DIY Lace Shorts}dear head{DIY clay deer head decor}DIY Distressed Boyfriend Denim2 by Vivat Veritas{DIY distressed denim from thrifted jeans}

Trips
I had a chance to visit Ho Chi Min City for our 7th year wedding anniversary and Philadelphia, D.C., NY and Hawaii. I much prefer to spend money on travel than buying things.

new world sigon breakfast1{Ho Chi Min city, Viet Nam}philadelphia city hall2{Philadelphia}DC2014-1{Washington, D.C.}写真 2 (3){Hawaii}

Personal + Family
My daughter turned three and we started to foster care a ten year old girl. Due to her circumstances, our foster daughter only comes once every three weeks now and mainly lives in a group home, but we are excited to see how this will develop.

cupcake shop birthday party by vivat veritas{Cupcake decorating party}

Wishing everyone a happy new year!! xo
今年のブログround upです。ウェディングドレス作りに専念し、自分のお洋服もたくさん作れた年でした。皆さん、よいお年を!
chie sig2

{find me elsewhere: shop, facebook, etsy, twitter, pinterest, instagram}

Filed Under: blog, blogs, creation, every day life, personal, 日本語 Tagged With: 2014, end of year, year round up

Japanese New Year Holiday

January 5, 2014 By Chie

Hi, this is Rina! How was everyone’s new year holiday? I’m wondering how people outside of Japan enjoy this holiday. In Japan, people eat Osechi-ryori (seasonal japanese traditional dishes), visit relatives and exchange seasonal greeting, and visit to a shrine on new year’s day.

photo1 photo2

{Osechi-ryori; each food has a  meaning of new year wish}

I think Osechi-ryori is slightly different from each region and family. Every year I  try to learn how to make these dishes and learn my mother’s taste. It isn’t easy, but it is so much interesting to learn them and experience traditional Japanese culture.

photo3{Otoso (spiced sake drunk wish to lead a long life)}photo4{Ozouni (japanese soup with mochi, rice cake)}

There was a big surprise on the end of 2013. My two-years-older sister gave birth to a little girl! It was about three week ahead of the expected birth date. None of my family member didn’t expected to see the baby within 2013. It was the greatest gift in 2013 for me and my family.photo5

It seems every newborn wears this little knit hat. I’m wondering why…. it looks pretty though!

photo6

so small, so cute! I guess baby clothes are going to list on my to-make list in this year.

明けましておめでとうございます!日本以外の国ではどういう風にお正月をお祝いするんでしょうか?気になります。

私はおせち料理を作って、食べて、初詣に行って、おじいちゃんおばあちゃんに会って…平和なお正月休みを過ごしました。

ただ、年末には家族の中でびっくりなことがありました。2つ年上のお姉ちゃんが、予定日より3週間程早く、小さな女の子を産みました!家族の誰一人として、まさか年内に産まれるとは思っていなかったので、どたばた騒ぎできたが、本当にほんとうに素敵な「びっくり」になりました。

今年は、赤ちゃんの服がto-makeリストに載ること間違いなしです!

川崎大師で引いたおみくじによると、今年の私の運勢は波乱に満ちたものになるとのことでしたが、そんなおみくじにもめげず!今年も頑張りたいと思います。

今年もよろしくおねがいします :)rina signature

More Rina’s posts….

– DIY: Bead Necklace
– Fashion’s Night Out in Tokyo
– Silk Painting Groom’s Vest

Filed Under: blog, blogs, every day life, holiday, personal, 日本語 Tagged With: Japanese New Year, new year

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Something I've been building since 2008 — taking k Something I've been building since 2008 — taking kimono fabric, fabric that already holds someone's memory, and giving it a new life.

Last Saturday, I got to share that with someone very special.

@designerhelen is a designer from New York who first reached out to me through my little sewing lesson account. When we started talking, I realized we were asking the exact same question: how do you take something with a past, and carry it forward?

We met in person here in Tokyo last December. That conversation became Released. Reimagined.
Two designers. Two cities. One shared belief — that beautiful things deserve a second life.

None of this would have been possible without our incredible team:

👗 Models: @emorylove33 @naka_kanar @bethenny.x @izumi_nishida @yui78_02 @aino.yamada03 @_kasumi.y @sienna.christinaaa

💅 Nails: @ms_muse_nail — gorgeous handmade nail designs 
💍 Jewelry: @viviange — pieces specially designed to coordinate with each piece
✂️ Hair: @angh0 @sho_kanaida @iam__little__boy — next level editorial 
💄 Makeup: @glam_by_jyoti — 8 models, flawlessly done 
📸 Photography: @nothing_special_88 — can't wait for you all to see his shots 
🎯 Model Coordinator: @naka_kanar — styling schedules, rehearsals, walkthrough, everything

Thank you to everyone who came🤍

Photos by @robertorivera.mx

2008年から、ずっと作り続けてきたもの——誰かの記憶を宿した着物の生地を手にとり、新しい命を吹き込むこと。

先週の土曜日、その想いをとても大切な人と一緒に分かち合うことができました。

@designerhelen はニューヨークを拠点とするデザイナー。最初に連絡をくれたのは、私の小さなお裁縫レッスンのアカウントを通じてでした。話し始めてすぐに、私たちは同じ問いを抱えていると。過去を持つものを、どうやって未来へ連れていくか。

昨年12月、東京で初めて直接会いました。その会話が、このショーになりました。

Released. Reimagined. ふたりのデザイナー。ふたつの都市。ひとつの共通した信念——美しいものには、もう一度輝く機会がある✨

#releasedreimangined #tokyofashionshow #harajuku #japanfashionshow projectrunwa
この会場を見つけるまで、けっこう歩き回りました。原宿竹下口から少し路地に入ったところ。前面ガラス張り この会場を見つけるまで、けっこう歩き回りました。原宿竹下口から少し路地に入ったところ。前面ガラス張りで光がたっぷり入って、一目見て「ここだ」と思いました🌱

入口すぐの受付エリアには @brownie_shots のポップアップ、中央スペースはランウェイ会場になります。VIP席も準備中です✨

イベントまであと1週間を切りました。当日、いいお天気になりますように☀️

It took quite a bit of wandering to find this venue. Tucked just off a quiet side street from Harajuku’s Takeshita Exit — full glass frontage, light pouring in. The moment I stepped inside, I knew🌱

Right at the entrance, @brownie_shots will be running a pop-up☕︎ The central space becomes our runway. VIP seating going in now.

Less than one week to go. Fingers crossed for sunshine ☀️

#Harajuku #FashionShow #KimonoUpcycling #SustainableFashion #TokyoEvents
【VIP限定✨】 5/30のファッションショー、席付きVIPチケットをご予約いただいた方は、こちらの 【VIP限定✨】
5/30のファッションショー、席付きVIPチケットをご予約いただいた方は、こちらの帯をリメイクしたオリジナルポーチをプレゼント🎁 

意外とたくさん入ると大好評。
鍵、カードケース、スマホ、メイクポーチまでしっかり収納できる優秀サイズです。

パーティーにクラッチとして、ループにストラップを付ければショルダーにもなる✨

どの柄が届くかは当日までのお楽しみ🤫💕

🗓 2026.05.30 (Sat)
📍 Harajuku, Tokyo
Runway Event & Pop-up Store
詳細はプロフィールリンクをチェック🔗

【VIP Exclusive ✨】
A little sneak peek at the special gift for our VIP ticket holders🎁

For the May 30th fashion show, all VIP guests will receive this original pouch made from upcycled Kimono Obi.

It’s surprisingly spacious! It easily fits your keys, card case, phone, and even a makeup pouch. Wear it as a chic clutch for the party, or attach your own strap to the loops to transform it into a shoulder bag✨

Each one is a unique, one-of-a-kind piece. Which design will you get? It’s a surprise until the big day! 🤫💕

#帯リメイク #サステナブルファッション #ファッションショー #原宿イベント #着物リメイク 
ファッションイベント HelenCastillo
五月なのに、秋色🍂 日中は汗ばむくらいなのに、 夕方になるとふっと涼しくなる🌬️ この季節のそのギ 五月なのに、秋色🍂

日中は汗ばむくらいなのに、
夕方になるとふっと涼しくなる🌬️
この季節のそのギャップが、なんか好き♡

深みのある金茶とテラコッタ。
春の光に当てると、
秋色が美しく見える気がします✨

朝晩の肌寒さには、シルクの羽織りがちょうどいい。

It’s May — and yet, fall hues🍂

Warm enough to break a sweat by noon,
then a cool breeze sneaks in by evening🌬️

I kind of love that about this time of year♡

Rich amber and terracotta.
Something about spring light makes these autumn tones look even more beautiful✨

For those cool mornings and evenings,
a silk haori is just right.

Photographer @renphoto
Model @hotpotpancakes

#着物ガウン #春コーデ #アースカラー #サステナブルファッション #アップサイクル kimonostyle
「なんとなく」じゃなくて、選んだと言ってもらえる服作りをしたい🦋✂️ 紗の着物をほどいて、また縫い 「なんとなく」じゃなくて、選んだと言ってもらえる服作りをしたい🦋✂️

紗の着物をほどいて、また縫い直しました。
ざっくりとした夏のの素材感に、
白レースをひとすじ沿わせて。

甘すぎず、でも可愛くありたい日のための一枚。

I want to make clothes you reach for on purpose — not just whatever’s closest🦋✂️

Took apart a vintage sheer silk kimono and sewed it back into something new.

The loose, airy weave of summer, with a single trim of white lace.

For the days when you want to feel pretty — just not too precious.

#KimonoRework #ButterflyTop
#着物リメイク #紗 #一点もの 蝶々トップス
寄贈いただいた着物から生まれたドレス🥀 生地の質感に触れて次は何になりたいか問いかけます。 着る人 寄贈いただいた着物から生まれたドレス🥀

生地の質感に触れて次は何になりたいか問いかけます。
着る人に寄り添い、物語を紡ぐ一着になれば嬉しいです💐

Model: @aino.yamada03
Photo: @slyz_studio
MUA @erieri_makeup 

A dress brought to life from a gifted kimono 🥀

By feeling the texture of the material, I listen to what it wishes to be.

I hope this dress resonates with the person who wears it💐

 #着物リメイク #サステナブルファッション #ハンドメイドドレス #一点もの
Favorite coffee beans to my favourite jacket. ☕️🧥 Favorite coffee beans to my favourite jacket. ☕️🧥

お気に入りのコーヒーショップ @allpressespressojapan の麻袋をアップサイクルして、世界に一つだけのボンバージャケットにしました。

麻袋のラフな質感と、着物リメイクした裏地の組み合わせ。
ほんのりコーヒーの香りがします✨

Which one is your favorite detail? (私は背中のロゴが好き🫶🏻)

#upcycledfashion #allpressespresso #サステナブルライフ #リメイク #コーヒーのある暮らし
かつては特別な日に着用された美しい着物や帯。 それらが現代に息づくファッションへと生まれ変わりました かつては特別な日に着用された美しい着物や帯。
それらが現代に息づくファッションへと生まれ変わりました👗

孔雀の羽の細部まで描かれた繊細な染め、帯の複雑な織り目。
一針一針に込められた伝統の技を、今の時代にふさわしい形で受け継ぎます🪡

世代を超えて受け継がれる物語を、あなたらしく着こなして🧚

These garments are more than just fashion; they are stories preserved. From the detailed dyeing of the peacock's feathers to the intricate weave of the obi, we honor the original artisans by giving their work a new life.

Wear a piece of history and continue its journey✈️

Model @ptiite_shana
Photographer @nihonnokaidan

#VintageKimono #ObiUpcycle #JapaneseStyle #EthicalFashion #handmadewithlove
 着物リメイク ハンドメイド アップサイクル
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