Sanrio's Hello Kitty has received a new “high fashion” kimono and yukata collection from Yamato Lab, featuring outfits that seamlessly blend traditional Japanese style with modern kawaii flair.
Through its official website, Yamato Lab has released a traditional yukata and a casual kimono dress in collaboration with Sanrio’s Hello Kitty. Both feature the ‘yoshiwara tsunagi’ pattern, which Kimono Retailer describes as “a striped pattern created by joining four squares with concave corners together,” which is still seen in festival and clothing designs today. The name comes from Japan’s Yoshiwara district, which was one of the largest red-light districts in the Edo period. “Tsunagi,” meaning “to tie/connect/tie/bind,” refers to the inability to leave the red-light district once entered. The yukata and kimono share a blue and white design; the yukata costs 49,500 yen (~US$352) and the kimono costs 60,500 yen (US$430). Hello Kitty’s face is cleverly embedded in the pattern when she peeks out; Her red bow is also scattered throughout the outfit. Two blue or white obi (waistbands), as well as a white handkerchief, are also listed on the website. Readers can see images and more information below.
Sanrio and Yamato Lab Collaborate with Hello Kitty for New Kimono Collection
Interested readers can purchase the Hello Kitty x Yamato Lab collection from the official website. Designed by Keisuke Kanda, the collection is described as “We collaborated with Sanrio’s Hello Kitty, a character loved all over the world. The ‘Yoshiwara Tsunagi’ motif, which symbolizes good relationships that connect people, is expressed in Hello Kitty ribbons. We designed this collection with the hope that this collaboration that connects us with Hello Kitty will create a connection with many people.”
Hello Kitty continues to be a popular choice for both traditional and modern collaborations, thanks to the versatility of her powerful brand. Her signature bow wouldn’t be out of place in LOWRY’s FARM 50th anniversary Hello Kitty kimono collection, which comes in both men’s and women’s versions. She also received a modern, sporty collaboration with Uniqlo earlier this month, following both Y2K-inspired Hello Kitty fashion and an even earlier return to Sanrio’s original roots with a classic monochrome collection, sold and designed by J’aDoRe JUN’s ROPÉ brand.
Source: Yamato Laboratory
