For my Bachelor in illustration, I had to do a creative project next to the thesis. Because the theoretic part was about the Kimono and the symbolisms of its motifs and patterns, I chose to completely sew and paint a traditional Kimono.

For the motifs, I chose the cherry blossom, the peony, the wave, the dragon and the cloud.

They fit together beautifully, as e.g. the cherry blossom is an iconic spring blossom and the dragon is considered a bringer of spring. The peony is a flower that blooms in late spring and is a sign of nobility and elegance. Clouds are signs of fortune, drift in the sky where also the dragon resides and are giving an air of ease and effortlesness. The wave is tranquil but also strong and always keeps its composer. It ties together the flowers gracefully and since dragons in Japan are regarded as water gods and creatures that hold power over the element, its also very fitting with the mythological animals.

My aim was to create a traditional garment, that emanates elegance, gracefulness but also levity and whimsy.

For colors I chose pinks, oranges, blues and violet tones as well as additional gold and mother of pearl colored contourings.

Pink stands for spring, happiness and life.

Orange for love, happiness and was a color of nobility in the Asuka period.

Blue is especially fitting because of what color we interpret water to be, but it also represents purity and dignity, as well as freshness and there is even a japanese saying "blue spring" that is used to refer to times of happiness. 

Lilacs represent nobility and elegance.

This is the Obi, a sash, that is being tied around the waist. Centuries ago it was used as a belt, but nowadays it's more of an accessoire, that completes the look.

For a quick understanding, I also designed a little booklet, for informations on the motifs I used, why and how they fit together.

The japanese binding on the left side I also tied by myself.

To accurately wear a Kimono is an art of itself. I am not a Kitsukeshi (a trained expert in dressing and wearing the Kimono) and unfortunately didn't have the means to get in touch with one. With help from tutorials, I tried to wear it as proper as I could.

I also used tools like a Juban (traditional undergarment), two Eri-Shins (collar core), Koshi-Himos (thin cotton bands), an Obi-Makura (Obi pillow) and an Obi-Ita (plastic core) that I all made by myself.

Only the Tabi (socks), Geta (sandals), Obi-Jime (cord, tied over the Obi on top) and hair accessoires are bought, mostly because of the short time, that was given from the university (8 weeks for writing about 80 pages and creating the creative project).