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Colorful Studio Co., Ltd.｜Operates a recycled kimono shop and a handmade experience workshop
Founded in 2021, Colorful Studio Co., Ltd. operates the recycled kimono specialty store “Chuemon,” the cute clothing for adults “KEI collection,” and the handmade experience workshop on Lake Hamana “Lubera” on Lake Hamana.
Chuemon, which has a history of about 100 years in selling recycled kimonos, has started a kimono rental business and a recycled kimono remake business as its next new endeavors.
Through these projects, they hope to contribute even a little to reducing the amount of kimono waste, which is a social problem, and to encourage people to incorporate kimonos, a traditional part of Japanese culture, into their lives.
This month’s recommendation is “Chuemon,” a recycled kimono specialty store run by Colorful Studio Co., Ltd.
The beginning of Colorful Studio Inc.
Ms. Kumiko Hakamada, CEO of Colorful Studio Co., Ltd., worked as a high school teacher after graduating from university, before going on to work in public relations and marketing at a PR company, a business school, and an international school.
While working in Tokyo, she had a desire to “start a business in my hometown someday,” and by chance she took over the business of “Lubera Handmade Experience Workshop” in 2019.
She took her first steps as a businessman in Hamamatsu.
Subsequently, in November 2023, the company will enter the kimono business by taking over the “Kimono Recycle Chuemon” business.
Currently, the company is active in a wide range of businesses, including the kimono business, apparel business, and the operation of a handmade experience workshop.
Recycled kimono specialty store "Chuemon"
Chuemon is a long-established store that specializes in recycled kimonos, founded in 1926. They handle a wide variety of recycled kimonos, including furisode, houmongi, black tomesode, colored tomesode, komon, tsumugi, and oshima tsumugi.
There is a wide variety of obi and accessories to go with kimonos, allowing for a wide range of combinations.
Recycled kimonos are also available in the online shop, and new information and recommended products are posted on Instagram and in YouTube videos, so it’s nice to be able to find out more about the condition of the kimonos.
Experienced staff will provide thorough guidance, so even beginners can use the facility with confidence.
You can also purchase it from the official online shop.
▽Click here for the official online store▽
Kimono as everyday wear ☆ Remade kimono for easy everyday wear
In November 2023, Colorful Studio Co., Ltd. took over the management of the recycled kimono specialty store “Chuemon” through business succession.
No matter how good the fabric of a recycled kimono is, if it has even a small stain or the sleeves are too short, it may be discarded.
“We are thinking of ways to pass the baton to the next generation without compromising the value of the valuable kimonos that artisans have carefully woven from silk threads, and we are also taking on new challenges such as remaking them,” says President Ms. Hakamada.
In addition, with the hope that “people who are not normally familiar with kimonos can naturally incorporate kimono elements into their lives,” they launched a website called “BUENVIVIR” in August 2024, which sells remade products.
Currently, we are offering a trial run of the unique “Kimono Aloha Shirt,” as well as skirts, sets, pants, and more.
BUENVIVIR means “living in harmony with nature” or “good life.”
“Each kimono and obi has its own history, and contains a story about the era, the craftsman who made it, and the intention behind it. This proud piece of kimono history is being reborn by modern artisans into something new, remade for casual, everyday wear,” her said.
Introducing some of the remade products that bring the world of kimono into your everyday life♪
Kimono remake set up black x gold PLANT
The set features a beautiful silk black background with a gold botanical pattern.
Its artistic beauty is complemented by a playful touch, with a contrasting red lining and black lining. It is a perfect piece for parties, special events, dates, girls’ nights, and other glamorous occasions.
Kimono Aloha Shirt Unisex Sakura MOSS0812
This one-of-a-kind aloha shirt is made from remade silk crepe komon.
The bright moss green fabric, which features colorful and pop cherry blossom and plum blossoms, has the uneven texture characteristic of crepe, making it wrinkle-resistant, supple, and durable.
You can also enjoy the unique texture of the dye.
Kimono remake long skirt Bingata style PP0812
This long skirt has been remade from high-quality pure silk and is a piece that is light to wear and feels good against the skin.
The waist is elastic and easy to adjust. The jet black small silk fabric is contrasted with a light purple Bingata-style pattern.
For details on sizes etc. please see this website.
Please note that many of our remade items are one-of-a-kind, so they may be sold out.
▽BUENVIVIR official website▽
Why not start walking around the city in a rented kimono?
Kaneta Chuemon, a store specializing in recycled kimonos, offers a “Kimono Rental Walking Tour Plan” that includes help with dressing.
The kimono plan is available from October to May, and the yukata plan is available from June to September, but you can choose either plan depending on the temperature.
If you like the kimono you try on, you can just buy it, which is a nice feature of recycled kimono stores.
Why not try renting a kimono and enjoy a walk around the town in a slightly different atmosphere than your everyday life?
▽Click here for details▽
Walk around the city in a rented kimono
https://www.inhamamatsu.com/japanese/shopping/rental-kimono.php
They also operate “Kimono Life,” a popular kimono rental service for occasions such as coming-of-age ceremonies, Shichi-Go-San, weddings, and graduation ceremonies.
The store is well-known for its unique selection of items, ranging from trendy designs to retro kimonos and valuable kimonos that can only be found at a thrift store.
▽Click here for details▽
Kimono rental “Kimono Life”
A collaboration project between the recycled kimono store "Kaneta Chuemon" and the handmade experience workshop "Lubera"
In November 2024, a workshop on “Making Wreaths with Kimono Scraps” was held at Lubera, a handmade experience workshop run by the company, and was attended by a wide range of age groups, from elementary school students to adults.
Making a kimono scrap wreath is very simple.
Simply choose colorful kimono fabric and embed it anywhere on the wreath-shaped base.
A variety of works were created, including some that used the Christmas color “red”, others that used color schemes that made the most of their individual personalities such as “pink and blue”, and others that used “oshikatsu colors”.
By changing the optional decorations, you can transform your Christmas wreath into a New Year’s decoration!
Kimono scraps are transformed into new pieces to create “one-of-a-kind original wreaths.”
In addition, at Lubela’s experience workshop, regular experiences include making bracelets by freely combining power stones and glass beads, as well as necklaces and earrings, miniature domes, gel candles, and more.
Why not try making some original goods that reflect your individuality?
▽For more information, please click here▽
Handmade Experience Workshop Lubera
A message to our readers from Ms. Kumiko Hakamada, CEO of Colorful Studio Inc.
We would like to contribute to “creating a sustainable society where everyone can live comfortably” through various businesses, including Chuemon, which will soon celebrate its 100th anniversary thanks to all of you.
Our staff will be happy to assist you in meeting your needs, so please feel free to drop by.
What did you think?
This month’s recommendation focuses on “Chuemon,” a recycled kimono specialty store run by Colorful Studio Co., Ltd.
If you think that wearing a kimono is too difficult, please come to our store!
There are plenty of reasonably priced recycled kimonos on display in the store.
This New Year, it might be a good idea to change things up and spend the New Year in a kimono.
[Colorful Studio Co., Ltd.]
3-6-28 Chuo, Chuo-ku, Hamamatsu
☎053(454)3660
[Official website]
