This remarkable Obi features ancient Chinese characters, which, according to my friend’s mother, is actually one word, “longevity” written in many different calligraphy styles. It’s a very special and time-intensive skill and has a long tradition in China according to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Amongst friends, (we are no scholars) we think the calligraphy dates back to the Song Dynasty (970- 1279) or even further to the Qin dynasty (221-206 BC).

The Obi itself belonged to Rin Miyahara, who with her husband, Toshi Miyahara, were born and raised in Tokyo leading up to the Meiji Restoration (1868). The Meiji Restoration, consolidated the political system under the Emperor of Japan and led to the rapid industrialization of the country through Western ideas and production methods. Miyahara’s father worked as an interpreter at the Paris World’s Fair in 1867-- the first time Japan exhibited in Paris.  

According to Miyahara’s Kamon, or family crest, they were part of the Kazoku, or hereditary peerage of Japan. The Kazoku succeeded the feudal lords (daimyo) and court nobles (kuge), and were eventually abolished in 1947. Like all Kazoku without an official government appointment in the provinces, they were obliged to reside in Tokyo would have been educated at the Gakushuin.  The Gakushuin was founded in 1847 to educate the children of the aristocracy along with the emperor’s children.

 As Robin says, “from what I can decipher …[my grandparents] lived quite well.” Then the war came and his family lost everything. They moved to the countryside and according to Robin, this devastated his grandfather, so that he died soon after - from a lack of will to live or absence of ikigai.

After the war was over, Robin’s grandmother moved back to Tokyo and lived in a modest home. When she died the obi and note were given to his mother as a memento of her life.  As he remarked, “The few times I remember being with my grandmother, since I couldn't speak Japanese, we would just sit and smile at each other.  She seemed like a very quiet, gentle woman.”

Along with the Obi, was a lovely handwritten note written by Robin’s grandmother. The family could see that the calligraphy was beautiful but it was difficult to decipher as it was written in old Japanese. As my own father explained, it was a feminine-style hand, and very well done, so much so that the writer had a red signature stamp made.  After asking even more friends for help, we learned that it was a poem by Ono no Komachi, the famous waka poet of the Heian period and whose name today is still synonymous with beauty in Japan. The poem loosely translates to:

Wow, can you believe this? There is just so much meaning to Rin Miyahara owning this Obi. To me, it was likely a hope for her to live a long-life (she lived until 96), with the repetition of the characters of longevity being a way of wishing the most perfect, full version of that word for her. The use of many different calligraphy styles to express it, could have been a nod to her own calligraphic prowess. And the poem itself—Ono no Komachi was famous for writing about love--could it have been an ode to her deceased husband or a message for her daughter after her own passing? Either way, we know that it is all so very special and I’m so happy to have been able to help facilitate uncovering all of this for Robin’s family.

I hope all of you are well, not only amidst the continuing pandemic, but also in the aftermath of hurricane Isaias who recently ripped through the Northeast! Unfortunately, I have been without power on Long Island for the past couple of days (this is being sent through the neighborhood pizza shop’s wifi). I thought that after the pandemic hit, I had made my peace with relinquishing “control” over my life’s path, but just in case I was starting to forget, losing power for the past few days really drove that message home. Thank you, Universe!

This idea of balancing a strong vision while remaining flexible to what shows up in front of you is one that has occurred repeatedly in my professional life as well, and something I that discuss in this week’s Haute Takes podcast interview with Julia Seelig and Madi Kahn.

The Haute Takes podcast is was started by two Gen Z coworkers turned best friends, Julia Seelig and Madison Kahn, who both have equally impressive educational backgrounds as well as starts to their own fashion careers. Born out of the uncertainty of the current global pandemic these two amazing women sought to create a forum around fashion for their generation – a place to speak candidly about their fashion experiences, connect with those going through similar struggles, and learn from others to inspire their listeners. I was particularly impressed by their insight into the need for something like this for those who are just starting out in their fashion careers. As someone who didn’t receive a typical fashion or retail education, access to a podcast like this is something I would have appreciated back then.

On this week’s episode of Haute Takes, I chat with Jules and Madi about my career in fashion thus far- we go all the way back to college, where I, like Madi, graduated from Penn and went on to work at Macy’s. We touch upon my experiences buying both domestically and internationally, and then finally in starting my own fashion line. I am open and honest about the challenges and anxieties that I have faced throughout different points in my career, hopefully speaking directly to those who are both excited and anxious about what the future holds. So, if you know someone who is just starting out in the fashion world, or you simply miss my laugh, this pod might be worth a listen!

Click here to listen to the podcast on Spotify or Itunes and here to follow the team on instagram.

Thank you for your support and for reading this!

Episode 2 : Groomer Has It featuring my Midi Length Red Shibori Kimono

Episode 3 : Father of the Bride featuring my Fallingwater Kimono

Episode 7 : Silver Lining Sweeney featuring my Crane Embroidered Kimono

Episode 8 : Father Knows Fish featuring my Purple Shibori Long Kimono

Episode 10 : Body Rock or Bust featuring my Wheels of Fortune Kimono

The entire fifth season takes place in my second favorite American city- Philadelphia! The city of brotherly love shares a special place in my heart as I spent my collegiate years at the University of Pennsylvania doing what I love – making art, riding on the equestrian team, and dancing as a Quaker Girl. Now, nearly 15 years later, I find myself doing similar things in one way or another and am so grateful for my health, safety and the opportunity to pursue my dreams.   

Many people have asked me how Queer Eye happened, and so I wanted to share the details. Like most good things in life, it happened with a little help from my friends!

Back when I started my company last year, I emailed everyone I knew that I was taking traditional Japanese kimonos and up-cycling them into one-of-a-kind coats and robes. A friend from my Bergdorf Goodman luxury buying days, Katie Woolley, got in touch and we caught up! It had been almost ten years since we worked together and she told me about her recently founded company called Kae Manning Studio which is focused on fashion, celebrity and wardrobe styling. Kae Manning happened to be heading up Queer Eye’s wardrobe for the new season, so after calling in an assortment of styles for the boys, Katie delivered the exciting news that one of the fab five had taken a liking to my kimonos and had worn them on the show!

It was an exciting end to 2019, and then 2020 began… eventually snowballing into one of the most challenging times most of us have ever seen. I think ultimately the pandemic paved the way for positive change, and the widespread quarantining actually allowed for more bandwidth to actively support the very real and very positive movement for legislative changes promoting the equality of race and sexual orientation and gender identity in the United States. Not only were we a captive audience, but more people could actually show up to help change the world into one that we want to go back to living in.

Meanwhile, my own small business ebbed and flowed. I got into stores during my first year, but learned that some would leave their bills unpaid. I tried to help my partners grow but almost ruined relationships in the process, and I got accepted into Tranoi in Paris, but almost lost everything when the virus kept most buyers away! I frequently texted Katie for news – partially so I could see it and partially for the validation that despite all of the uncertainty in the world, this thing was still happening!

I wish I could say that I’ve evolved so much in quarantine that I simply “know” all the time that I’m on the right path and have complete faith in everything I do, but that’s not the truth. I think everyone with their own business struggles with confidence at times, especially when it’s always your decision, alone, to make. I have talked to many solo-preneurs and designers over these weeks and am certain now that the fits and starts of progress are about the only thing that is normal.

Changeability provokes questioning which ultimately helps one reflect, adapt and maybe even pivot, however the flip side of unpredictability is that it undermines confidence.  So perhaps my quarantine lesson learned is that now, more than ever it’s important to stay connected with the people who genuinely care about and support you, because when some crazy shit hits the fan you may need to draw upon their reserve for yourself. So now, here I am-- cognizant of the important changes happening in our world, and not wishing to detract from any of it, but wanting to celebrate an exciting moment in my work—move over Scatter My Ashes, we’re on Netflix now baby!

Beginning with the shooting death of Ahmaud Arbery this February, and culminating in the wrongful death of George Floyd in Minneapolis -- what we have seen over these few months, unfortunately, are only recent examples from a long list of prejudiced acts against people of color in this country.

For the immediate future, I want to focus my brand's support on legislative police reform and via ShoppingGives donate 15% of every Kimono sale to Campaign Zero. Campaign Zero is a police reform campaign associated with #blacklivesmatter and #8cantwait.

The funds are used to support the analysis of policing practices across the country, to research and identify effective solutions, for organizers leading police accountability campaigns and the development of model legislation and the advocacy to end police violence nationwide. I encourage everyone to read the full agenda here .

Thank you for your time in reading this and your support!