WabiSabi Hat | Kimono Upcycled, Fedora Hats | Japanese Brand Keiko Tagai

What is Wabi-Sabi / 侘び寂び ?

Wabi-Sabi is one of the aesthetic senses that reside in the heart of the Japanese people.

Things in this world become rusty, dirty, and chipped with the passage of time, but the changes are diverse and unique, and it is the spiritual culture of the Japanese who find beauty in their imperfections.

It is a spirit of appreciation and finding beauty in the tranquility and serenity of daily life, rather than in its splendor, and it is an aesthetic deeply rooted in the Japanese heart.

WabiSabi Hats are carefully selected and designed for each kimono so that you can experience the richness of your mind and the Japanese aesthetic sense in your busy daily life.

 

WabiSabi Hat | Kimono Upcycled, Fedora Hats | Japanese Brand Keiko Tagai

Traditional Japanese Culture

In the past, kimonos were passed down from grandparents to parents and from parents to their own children, but this culture is fading.

With the desire to recreate this kimono culture, we have repeated trial and error many times to make the hats hard to prevent them from losing their shape and to design them in such a way that they are not affected by trends and can be arranged in various ways, so that we have made they so that they can be used for many years to come, even by your grandchildren's generation.

 

WabiSabi Hat | Kimono Upcycled, Fedora Hats | Japanese Brand Keiko Tagai

Hat Materials

There are many types of kimono, and we used a variety of kimonos such as Komon, Tsumugi, Oshima-Tsumugi, Haori, and Antique Kimonos so that you can enjoy the charm of each kimono.

Each kimono is carefully selected, untied threads, dry-cleaned, and steam-pressed into a single piece of fabric, and then the clean, stain-free parts are used to cut each piece by hand taking into consideration the layout of the pattern before being reborn as a one-of-a-kind hat.

 

WabiSabi Hat | Kimono Upcycled, Fedora Hats | Japanese Brand Keiko Tagai

Create a refined look

Unisex / Genderless. Each item is a one-of-a-kind.

Beautiful and elegant silhouette creates a refined look.
As a supporting role in the life of a stylish person, it enhances the exuding humanity and individual charm.

* Wearing image was taken using a sample.

 

WabiSabi Hat | Kimono Upcycled, Fedora Hats | Japanese Brand Keiko Tagai

Fits all styles

The WabiSabi Hat is a versatile item that can be used in casual styles such as dresses and denim pants, formal styles such as suits, and kimono styles, making it a convenient and reliable item to have one in your wardrobe.

Even an ordinary clothes can be upgraded to a more elegant and fashionable look by simply putting it on.

 

WabiSabi Hat | Kimono Upcycled, Fedora Hats | Japanese Brand Keiko Tagai

A multiway that can be enjoyed to the fullest

It comes with a kimono band that can be worn as a hat band, on the head, neck, or bag, etc., and can be arranged in various ways.
The detachable maruguke type can be freely arranged by attaching your own obijime (obi cord) or obidome (obi sash clip).

You can enjoy many different styles with a single hat.

 

WabiSabi Hat | Kimono Upcycled, Fedora Hats | Japanese Brand Keiko Tagai

Stress-free and comfortable

Made of 100% wool.
5cm brim is easy to wear and does not get in the way. Lightweight and comfortable to wear.

The snap brim allows a glimpse of the kimono pattern, and even when the head is tilted back, the brim does not hit the collar of the Western or Japanese clothes, making this a stress-free item that combines functionality and design.

WabiSabi Hat | Kimono Upcycled, Fedora Hats | Japanese Brand Keiko Tagai

 

Hat Making

" Making molded hats using kimono is difficult "

For about three years since we launched our hat brand, we were rejected by many domestic factories for this reason, but we finally found a factory that would take on our project.

We would like to introduce the craftsmen who cooperated with us and who are passionate about their craftsmanship.

WabiSabi Hat | Kimono Upcycled, Fedora Hats | Japanese Brand Keiko Tagai

WabiSabi Hats are made by the hands of craftsmen who specialize in each step of the process, just as in the traditional kimono making process.

It is very difficult to create a beautiful shape and to match the different types and qualities of kimono fabrics to the brim, which slopes down in the front, and this is a very difficult and skillful handwork.

 

WabiSabi Hat | Kimono Upcycled, Fedora Hats | Japanese Brand Keiko Tagai

WabiSabi Hats (molded hats including KIMONO HAT) are molded using hat-blocks.
This process is called blocking.

Unlike cloth hats, it is very difficult to match its with kimono fabrics of different types and properties, which places a heavy burden on the craftsmen.
In addition, it is very time-consuming to change the cutting position of each fabric, taking into consideration how the pattern will appear in the finished product.

For that very reason, we had a lot of trouble deciding whether to use the same kimono fabric or change the design, but they responded to our enthusiasm and made each hat a one-of-a-kind piece.

Normally, it is not possible to make such a one-of-a-kind item in factory production, but thank you to the cooperation of the factory CEO who are passionate about hat making and the highly skilled craftsmen, we were able to make this special item a reality.

 

Message from the Designer

In Japan, there are traditional techniques and local industries nurtured by the long history and local culture, which make the Japanese technological culture fruitful.

The kimono is the crystallization of the rich cultures that have continued to evolve with the times.

We hope you will enjoy Japanese culture and wabi-sabi in your daily life through our products made by domestic craftsmen who have the spirit of Japanese craftsmanship and high skills, expressed with the heart of Japanese sense of beauty, using kimono, the traditional costume of Japan.

Designer/ Artisan Keiko Tagai