Kanon Nagayoshi is a Japanese fashion designer and the founder of Kanomade, a brand

dedicated to reimagining kimono as contemporary fashion.

Her creative journey began in early childhood, inspired by fairytale princess dresses, which

led her to draw and imagine garments from a young age. Growing up, she was surrounded

by making—watching her grandmother sew and create with care—an experience that quietly

shaped her relationship with clothing and craftsmanship.

At the core of Kanomade is a deep respect for individuality. Nagayoshi works primarily with

vintage kimono, garments that are inherently one of a kind, each carrying its own history,

pattern, and presence. Rather than treating kimono as historical artifacts, she reconstructs

them through layering, structure, and modern silhouettes, allowing their character to exist

naturally within contemporary design.

Her work is also guided by a strong awareness of sustainability. By using kimono that might

otherwise be discarded, along with leftover fabrics and donated materials when possible,

she extends the life of existing textiles. For Nagayoshi, sustainability is not about perfection,

but about making conscious choices through everyday practice.

Fit and inclusivity are central to her design philosophy. She believes that no two bodies are

the same—just as no two kimono are identical. Instead of forcing people into standardized

sizes, she focuses on creating garments that adapt to the wearer, celebrating the body as it

is. Her designs aim to highlight confidence and presence without asking women to change

themselves.

Looking ahead, Nagayoshi envisions Kanomade as a platform that supports not only her

own creations, but also the people who make them. By increasing the brand’s visibility

through runways and media, she hopes to lead projects that connect opportunities to

emerging makers, fostering a sustainable and collaborative creative ecosystem.