Learn about the art of traditional kimono making and Maki Aizawa’s personal journey and involvement with the Sendai Kimono Making/Training School in Japan—a school founded and run by her mother that inspired her career. Aizawa continues to work with licensed kimono makers, helping to preserve this artistic tradition and sharing her work with an international audience. Afterwards, stay for a reception to meet the artist and the opportunity to purchase hand-sewn garments from her own brand, Kamiko, that works with licensed kimono makers in Japan to create contemporary designs for everyday life.
Talk + Trunk Show
Lecture/Trunk Show with Maki Aizawa
August 11, 2023
6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Maki Aizawa is an artist and designer based in California and Asuka, Japan. Kimono-making has long been a part of Maki’s life, and she cherishes the memories of a childhood living with the students of the Aizawa Sendai Kimono Making/Training School. There, she was surrounded by all things related to sewing kimonos by hand, including a rich array of silks, brocades, cottons, pattern books, and special Japanese threads and needles. In 2021, Maki created her own brand, Kamiko, that brought together a women’s collective of licensed kimono makers in the Tohoku region of Japan. Kamiko puts a contemporary spin on kimono traditions, creating designs that can be incorporated into everyday life. Maki also leads a non-profit organization called Amu, which supports indigenous artists from Japan, and is currently writing a book on kimono making with artist Veronika Schaepers. 
