Juno
/Show Day
Oct 18, 2023
/Social Media
Kimika Komatsu, the designer of “Juno,” was born in 1995.
Growing up, she loved making things, and it was during her junior high school years that she taught herself how to use a sewing machine, which inspired her to become a designer. She studied the basics of fashion in high school, and later attended a vocational school in clothing
After graduating from school, she worked as a lecturer at her alma mater while launching the fashion brand “Juno.” She specializes in haute couture pieces made out of upcycled kimonos and scrap fabrics, mostly selling her one-of-a-kind apparel and leasing out costumes for various media outlets, such as television dramas, movies and concerts.
In Japan, traditional kimonos are made from high-quality fabrics with intricate craftsmanship, allowing one to wear a garment that is more than a century old in its original form. However, living with kimonos is becoming increasingly rare, making it difficult to carry on past traditions. With “Juno,” she aims to revive the kimonos in new ways, connecting the past, present, and future with her clothing.
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What inspired you to become a fashion designer?
A passion for making things and creating clothing became an important part of the journey to becoming a fashion designer. During a period away from school, the freedom to focus on making things helped shape a dream of working in fashion.
How would you describe your design style?
The designs focus on creative remaking and distinctive costumes, transforming existing clothing, kimono, obi belts, and leftover fabrics into new garments. The work combines Japanese textile traditions with imaginative and expressive design.
What can people expect from your collection?
The collection presents creatively remade garments that give new life to existing textiles and clothing. Kimono, obi belts, and other previously used materials are transformed into distinctive fashion pieces and costumes.
How does the Japanese concept of mottainai influence your approach to fashion?
The idea of mottainai is reflected in the practice of giving new life to materials that might otherwise remain unused. Kimono, obi belts, leftover fabrics, and donated clothing are transformed into new garments rather than being discarded.
How does costume design influence your creative work?
Costume design is an important part of the work, with garments created for films, dramas, stages, and performances. Designing for performers allows existing materials to be transformed into distinctive pieces suited to the character and setting.