About

My Beginnings

My name is Emily, and I’m originally from Los Angeles, California. I moved to Japan in 2012 with the intention of staying for just two years—but something changed. Living here simply felt right. Japan became more than a place I admired from afar; it became my home.

I first became interested in kimono in 2017. Like many, I had always admired their beauty, but it wasn’t until I joined my husband for a few trial lessons in sado (Japanese tea ceremony) that my connection deepened. While I didn’t continue with sado, our teacher began offering kimono dressing lessons—and that’s when everything clicked. I realized that I wanted to explore kimono more seriously, not just as clothing, but as a cultural art form.

What began as self-practice turned into a dedicated path. I enrolled in Sai Kimono Gakuen, where I completed all levels of training and earned certification in kimono dressing. I’m deeply grateful for the formal instruction I received, and I continue to learn with every person I have the pleasure of dressing.

My Philosophy

I believe that anyone can be beautiful in kimono.

There’s something uniquely captivating about coordinating a kimono ensemble. Unlike Western fashion, where mixing and matching follows different rules, kimono coordination is its own world—an elegant balance of tradition, seasonality, and personal expression. It’s a quiet kind of artistry that I never tire of.

As a dresser, I feel a deep responsibility to respect the culture and traditions of kimono. Each kimono carries with it a history, a context, and a cultural language that I strive to honor in my work. At the same time, I enjoy weaving in a touch of 遊び心 (asobigokoro)—a playful creativity that allows for personal expression within those traditional boundaries.

Whether you’re seeking a classic, elegant style or something more stylish yet timeless, I’ll work with you to create a look that feels both meaningful and beautiful.

My hope is to share not just the appearance of kimono, but the experience—graceful, grounding, and connected to something deeper. Whether it’s your first time or your fiftieth, kimono is always a special experience. I look forward to sharing it with you.