Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk

This is a truly beautiful book. For those out there who cherish Japanese kimono’s this is a book for you. Although it is a little expensive I decided I needed to add it to my library as I have collected kimonos during my five years in JapanI hang them in different rooms of my home and it takes the sadness away just a little until my next visit.

I was stunned at how promptly this was delivered. Well packaged so arrived in perfect condition. Best of all was the good price.

Elegantly produced and designed, excellent, informative text and fantastic photography. To be read slowly, and savored, each and every page.

Full color photos, well documented.Includes Kimono's inspiration on popular culture(Star Wars)

This book has an interesting selection of garments, in a grouping not found in most books on kimono.

I had seen the exhibit online. This was a nice follow-up!

This book has been shortlisted for the Textile Society of America's R. L. Shep Award for books published in 2020. The Shep Award is given annually to the book judged to be the best book of the year in the field of ethnic textile studies. "Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk" (V&A Publications) appeared in conjunction with a 2020 V&A exhibition of the same title. Page after page of gloriously produced illustrations reveal stunning evidence of Japanese mastery of technique and design. Anna Jackson, Keeper of the Asian Department at the V&A provides the backbone descriptions of the evolution of the kimono as fashion in Japan, while numerous contributors explore how the kimono came to influence Western fashion and how it has more recently undergone a resurgence in Japan itself.

Virtuosic interdisciplinary scholarship combined with fastidiously expressed sensibility make this one of the most impressive catalogues for an exhibition I’ve come across. It manages to remain accessible and engaging while explaining some very complex matters with great clarity. The book doesn’t aim to provide a comprehensive manual or directory of technical subjects, so doesn’t displace the established literature on the subject, but its presentation of kimono as a cultural artefact, as a product of social and commercial relationships that it carefully explains, is exemplary. I haven’t seen the exhibition yet (it opens at the end of the week in which I’m writing) but judging by the book, this show seems likely to take its place as one of the V&A’s great productions, up there with the 1970 Berlioz exhibition, as a demonstration of the insights and understanding which genuinely interdisciplinary scholarship can bring to a subject. Anna Jackson, take a bow!

Absolutely fabulous. This exhibition came to London towards the beginning of the first lockdown (in my country) in March so I was unable to see it in person. However this book is so beautifully detailed with excellent high quality photos showing the incredible detailing in the different kimonos, folds, structure etc that it was well worth the price.I ended up watching the tour on the v&a YouTube page while following along in my book. It really was the next best thing to being there.

The exhibition is in London and I probably won’t get there , so buying the book was the next best thing - Stunning photos of beautiful kimonos , a real feast for the eyes !

Well produced as you would expect from the V&A. Lavish illustrations that made up some way for being unable to go to the exhibition as planned because of the pandemic.

what can I say,the photos in this book are magnificent.I was lucky to see this exhibition an this book completes the experience.