The research phase was quite complex despite the few constraints. Agreeing on a graphic universe was not easy given our completely opposite tastes. However, we agreed on one principle:respect the traditional spirit of the Japanese Kimono, whether in terms of shape, but also in terms of patterns and colors.
The reasonICHIMATSU, which means “Plaid Pattern” and is characterized by a pattern of alternating colored tiles. We can connect it with a Western pattern, the tartan pattern, which strongly inspired the pattern at the connection.
The reasonCHIDORI. The chidori is a small, auspicious wading bird (also called a plover). Its name comes from its formation, moving in large numbers, chidori translating to “a thousand birds” in Japanese. This pattern is also associated with wave patterns. Indeed, the plover is a migratory bird, traveling through wind and tide to reach its destination. It represents many qualities such as courage and determination through life's trials.
Yokai are fantastical creatures from Japanese folklore, having brought to life our motif placed by the semi-organic form, mid abstract.
Color of the pattern at the connection: blue obtained by an orange mixture mixed with blue. Quite soothing, not very saturated refers to calm and nature, inspired by “traditional” Japanese blue.
The two colors together create a harmony of blues, that of the placed patterns leaning towards green and that of the pattern at the connection towards grayed blue.
Color of the placed pattern: neutral and obtained by desaturating the first color, leaning towards a calm color, contrasts with the ecru, but does not attack the eyes.
Here, the pattern placed can make you think of a spectrum, benevolent, an ancestor who watches over the family. The hardest part about the pattern was the connections. Indeed, in choosing to do an all-over on the entire kimono, connectingin the sleeves, front and back, each connection had to be calculé to the millimeter.
A link is also possible with inspiration from Japanese prints, such as the best known, “The Great Wave off Kanagawa» or even the Ukiyo-e artistic movement (a movement from the Edo period). This movement is characterized by a desire to tell a story, most often through Japanese prints in painting on wood or in woodcut.
Workshop réalisé en binôme avec Romain Malabry.
Photographie : Jean Charles QUEFFÉLEC / Modèle : Rose VAILLANT