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Symbol of Japan and traditional iconic garment, the kimono is revered in the
Land of the Rising Sun as the embodiment of national culture and is conside-
red internationally a symbol of timeless exotic charm.

Among the ref nement of the fabrics, the incredible richness of the details and
the opulence of the ornaments that special “something to wear” (literal mea-
ning of the word kimono), is the protagonist at the Victoria & Albert Museum
in London, until June, 21st , 2020 with an exhibition of 315 garments that
celebrates its art.
Considered as an indisputable icon of dynamic fashion, it is one
of the garments that has changed the most and continues to
evolve today in time and space.
Its journey, never concluded, which is explored through
an exhibition path narrating its sartorial, aesthetic, cul-
tural and social meaning from 1660 until today both
in Japan and in the rest of the world, examining how
fashion and famous designers have reworked its he-
ritage. From the sophisticated 17th and 18th century
Kyoto culture to the creativity of contemporary ca-
twalks, the kimono is unique in terms of aesthetic rele-
vance and cultural impact and occupies a fascinating
place in the history of fashion, revealing its role as a
constant and inexhaustible source of inspiration for
stylists. And so together the rare and prestigious an-
tique kimonos, some owned by the London museum,
models designed by internationally renowned desi-
gners such as Alexander McQueen, Yves Saint Lau-
rent, Rei Kawakubo, Jean Paul are also exhibited for
the f rst time in the UK Gaultier, John Galliano.

They range from the drawings and sketches by
Thom Browne, Duro Olowu and Yohji Yamamoto
to cinematographic and entertainment costumes,
such as the famous kimono worn by Toshirō Mi-
fune in the f lm Sanjūrō. From the creations that
appeared in the Oscar-winning f lm Memoirs of
a geisha, passing through the ensemble of Jean
Paul Gautier sported by Madonna in the video for
Nothing Really Matters. Paintings, prints, f lms
and accessories are just some of the elements
present in the exhibition that provide an in-depth
context as a corollary of the fascinating history of
style and the inf uence of the kimono in society.

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