Hisae Abe

Student / Fashion Category

"I used a natural dyeing process using avocado, which produces this hidden colour, a red hue"

— Hisae Abe
Mentor – Beatrice Korlekie Newman

The initial idea of this collection of ‘Hidden Stories’ is from my Mother’s Kimono, which was hiding in her drawer and was discovered after her passing. Since the Kimono industry has shrunk in Japan, I wanted this tradition to continue into the next generation, so I have used this iconic garment to raise interest in the Kimono. I have expressed the natural cycle in which the flowers bloom, the petals fall and pile up on the floor and then they bloom again. Additionally, it contains my wish that the Japanese tradition of the Kimono is inherited and continues forever.

I used silk white Organza for my Kimono so that the vibrant red undergarment can be seen through it. In times gone by, wearing red was forbidden. People would wear red as an undergarment and for lining the Kimono, which would usually be hidden. Therefore, Red was a hidden colour. I used a natural dyeing process using avocado, which produces this hidden colour, a red hue.

I regard ‘hidden’ as a keyword to my collection, so some items in the embellishments, such as sequins and needlelace balls, have been hidden. The embellishments of my Kimono were made using the embroidery techniques of Tambour, Goldwork, and Needlelace. It creates a fusion of the Japanese tradition and the Contemporary with the composition of 3D embellishments and European embroidery techniques.

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Hisae Abe
Hisae Abe - image from the official 2020 Prize shoot
Hisae Abe - supporting image
Hisae Abe - supporting image
Hisae Abe
Hisae Abe - image from the official 2020 Prize shoot
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