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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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dress

What to Do When Your Wedding Dress Color is Not Right

July 20, 2016 By Chie

What to Do When Your Wedding Dress Color is Not RightA few months ago, I received a text message from a make up artist that I worked with in the past (for this shoot), asking for help. She bought a wedding dress online but the color was not the color she was expecting. The dress was made in pure white polyester satin and organza, and it did not fit well with her skin color. This strapless sweet heart neckline dress came with an organza long sleeve top which she did not like either. She wanted the color to be more of an off-white and ivory shade. So she attempted to dye the dress with coffee; however, the color did not becaus the dress fabric was synthetic.

Here is the before and after picture. I am not sure if I was able to capture the color correctly in pictures, but the one on the left is white and the one on the right is the same dress after the modification, which is off-white.
before and after of color change wedding dressMy plan was to take apart the top layers of the dress, and make new layers in off white satin, lace and chiffon using the patterns of the old wedding dress.plan for updating the white wedding dressHere is the picture of the dress after the dissection. taking apart the dressThe dress bodice with off white satin and lace layers added.
bust part of wedding dressHere is the completed dress!

If your wedding dress color is not what you like, you can make the top layer based on the original dress. It is much easier and quicker than making a dress from scratch.
completed dresslaced up back detailsIvory lace wedding dresswedding circus x vivat veritas dresswedding circus x vivat veritas wedding dress3 ayumi dress

このページを日本語で読む

Filed Under: bridal, creation, DIY, dress Tagged With: bridal, clothes, dress

MADE | Transitional Piece

March 1, 2016 By Chie

what i made - beige wrap dressWinter is my least favorite season. Not only do I hate being cold, but also fashion wise, I get sick of multiple layers. Usually I end up wearing jeans and a Uniqlo sweater.  So boring! But…..I had a chance to get to Nippori last weekend and that gave me some sewjo to make myself something fun to wear. After going through piles of knits on the second floor of Tomato fabric store, I ended up with this beige knit. It is medium to thick knit made out of 80% of rayon. The rest of the fabric content is a mixture of polyester and polyurethane, so the knit does not go too stretchy after some washes. The wrong side of the fabric is flannelized to keep it warm and it feels good against the skin.beige dress full bodyThe pattern was from a store bought dress I had. I did not do anything special except for lengthening the sleeves. I sewed the front neckline with an elastic so that the neckline would not get stretched. The whole thing is serged and the hem was done by hand. This way the hem sewing line is invisible. Sewing was simple and in total it took less than two hours to make.beige wrap dress back style - beige wrap dress

It fits pretty well, though I could do without some creases in the back. But, at the same time, I did not want the dress to be skin tight like one of those f21 dresses that college kids wear to clubs…
When Kiko saw me wearing the dress, she said “mommy, new dress?! But it is too small for you!”. In her mind a  “dress” needs to be long and fluffy like some kind of Disney princess. beige layersI’m planning on wearing with cardigan, long boots (from Zara) and plaid scarf for now. Once the weather warms up, I want to pair it with white sneakers and leather jacket. main_20160301_tiered_launch

Last but not least, my favorite online shop, Shopbop is running a spring sale from 3/1-3/5. Check out here.

自分用に新しいワンピースを作りました。

日暮里トマトのニット館で買った裏起毛加工のニットです。
ベージュは地味かなーと迷ったのですが、着回しを考えて、決定しました。
今はロング丈のカーディガン、ロングブーツと合わせて、春先には真っ白いスニーカーとレザージャケットで着る予定。chie sig2

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Filed Under: blog Tagged With: creation, dress, fashion, handmade, 手作り, 洋裁

MADE | Navy Blue Lace Dress

December 1, 2015 By Chie

Navy blue lace dress for wedding via Vivat Veritas BlogIn November, I attended two weddings. This meant I had an excuse to make myself a new dress! I was browsing through etsy and came across  Fabric Bistro, a fabric shop based in California with a collection of great lace fabrics. Good lace fabrics are hard to find in Japan. Nippori is not a good place to go for quality lace.  Iwai lace has beautiful French lace but, very expensive. Fabric Bistro is great, except that it is hard to sort through the more than 4000 items in their shop! 

I imagined my dress to be like this one; long sleeve, I-line skirt using scallop at dress hem. The problem I had was the lack of fabric. I ordered 1.75 yards, but since the fabric width was rather narrow, I did not have enough fabric for the long sleeves.

I went ahead and started cutting the fabric without a pattern. I just used my measurements and adjusted as I went along. There were some hiccups – the dress is so hard to walk in, especially going up the stairs. I did not add a slit or vent in skirt back because I feared that it would ruin the scallop lace design. Being uncomfortable at the wedding for a day was something I was willing to deal with:)

I wanted to place the scallop in a way that would show off the lace pattern, so I used it for skirt hem and back V neckline. The front waist line is not connected with a seamline to use the scallop as well. I added a hidden button and a loop in center front around waistline so that the front would not keep opening. Back waistline is connected together and elastic band was inserted for cinched waist. I’m not a huge fan of sleeves but for Japanese weddings, it is taboo to reveal too much skin as a guest, so I added small cap sleeves.

I made a slip to wear underneath with four way stretch fabric. I am happy with the decision not to line the lace fabric, but to add a slip because yon switch the look around depending on what color of slip you wear. I might make a slip in nude color to really show off the navy blue lace in the future.
Dainty navy blue lace from Fabric Bistro
DIYed blue lace dress for wedding
Navy blue lace dress for wedding

Here is a photo from the wedding – I made Kiko’s dress too! She helped me design it. Will be posting about it soon.Navy blue lace dress at winter wedding

With my sister and her husband. The wedding was a lot of fun!
P.S. Here is the dress I made for the last wedding I attended.Family photo at winter wedding

11月は2回結婚式にお呼ばれしていたので、自分用ドレスを作りました。
生地はカリフォルニアのレースを豊富に扱っている生地屋さんからお取り寄せしました。
日本で質の良いレースを見つけるのはなかなか難しいです。
少なくとも、日暮里ではなかなか見つからないと思います。残念ながら。

自分のサイズに合わせて、型紙なしで作りました。袖は、本当はノースリーブが良かったけど、結婚式だということで控えめなキャップスリーブに。
このドレス、中に着るスリップの色によって雰囲気が変えられるんです。
今回は同色のネイビーで作ったけれど、ベージュのスリップにして、レースの柄を引き立たせてもとてもステキだと思います。
chie sig2

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Filed Under: blog, blogs, creation, dress, 日本語 Tagged With: dress, lace, ドレス, レース, 手作り, 結婚式

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

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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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