The kimono is probably my most favorite traditional garment of clothing, not only because I am Japanese, but because there are endless ways to style one, depending on the season, the design of the kimono, and what accessories you wear it with. It’s easier to get your hands on a yukata, the lighter garment worn in the summer, so whenever I have the chance to be dressed in a real kimono, I usually never turn it down.

伝統的な衣類の中で、私がもっとも大好きなのは日本のお着物です。日本人だからだけではなく、着物は着るものの個性を引き出す、とても万能なものだからです。季節で変わる着物、着物の模様、そして、それに合わせる帯や小物によって、全然違う着物スタイルが完成するのが素晴らしいと思います。浴衣はお手頃なので、私も何度も着たことがあるのですが、やはり着物になると着る機会が大分少ないので、着れるチャンスに恵まれると、それは逃しません。

Anji of SALZ Tokyo is a style influencer and blogger, but also a kimono stylist and enthusiast. She is originally from Germany, but moved to Japan because of her love for the Japanese culture. And her love and passion for the Japanese kimono far surpasses many of the Japanese people I know. She owns a huge selection of new and vintage kimonos, many that she sells on her shop here. When she was dressing me in both kimono styles for this shoot, I could tell she knew what she was doing as she dressed me quickly and efficiently. Since my grandmother used to do kimono dressing and also made her own kimonos years ago, I grew up understanding that kimono dressing is an art, and it takes years and years of practice to achieve a high level in the craft.

SALZ Tokyoのアンジーさんは、ファッションインフルエンサーとブロガー以外に、着物スタイリストとして活動しています。彼女は元々ドイツ出身の方で、日本の文化が好きで、私の周りの日本人よりも着物が大好きなのがすごく伝わります。彼女が持っている着物の数や種類は半端なく、オンラインショップでも販売しています。この撮影の時に着付けをしてもらったのですが、とても手際良くやってくれたので、本当に着物の知識と拘りが強いんだなと思いました。私の祖母も昔着付けや、自身で着物を作っていたので、着付けは本当に芸術だというのは小さい頃から知っていました。何年も何年もの修行を重ねてやっとできるようになるスキルなので、着付師は本当に尊敬します。

For this particular shoot, Anji specifically wanted to use this traditional Japanese-style home built in 1929, that was scheduled to be torn down a few days after the shoot. The furniture and the rest of the interior decoration highly suited Anji’s kimono styling – the perfect balance of retro, elegant and classy. While getting dressed or dressing yourself in a kimono can be a challenge, the finished product is bound to be breathtakingly beautiful. The layering, the accessories – every little detail counts, and that’s what makes the kimono so special. Thank you Anji for allowing me to model your kimonos and for such a fun and special experience.

今回の撮影は、アンジーさんがロケにもこだわりがあり、昭和4年(1929年)に建てられた家をスタジオスペースとして使わせていただくことになりました。数日後に取り壊される予定だったので、ちょうどいいタイミングでした。家具屋インテリアもとてもレトロな感じだったので、アンジーさんのスタイリングにぴったり。着付けは本当に難しいですが、完成は本当に美しいものですね。重ね着、帯、その他の小物。全てのディテールが大事で、お着物を着るということがそれだけ特別になるのです。こんな貴重な経験をさせてくれたアンジーさんには、本当に感謝しています。

 

All photos by Emi Naito. Kimono dressing by Anji Salz.

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33 comments

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You look so fabulous in this retro kimono! I love every little detail of everything from your makeup, hair and the way you portray yourself!! all your pictures are always so artsy, love it!!! Xx, Gina

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Wow this is breathtaking!! How transform into your traditional garment of clothing. I love this look please post more images like this.

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What a breathtaking kimono! I would love to wear a kimono someday..
You look like a modern Geisha. So beautiful…
XO Charissa || http://WWW.LADYGOLDAPPLE.COM ||

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You look incredible in this traditional kimono style! I love seeing how you bring your heritage into your style in the coolest ways! Loving how these photos turned out. Glad you got to use the location before it was torn down!

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I can never get enough of your photos! I love the kimono style dresses and would love to own one myself!

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Loving the outfit, it was sure made for you love! You look like a queen wearing that kimono, such great colors and details.

xx, Kusum | http://www.sveeteskapes.com

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You look so amazing and gorgeous! It’s such a treat to see a blogger wearing garments that represent their culture. Even your socks are epic.

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Wow! The Kimono is so beautiful. I love the detailing and colors. 🙂

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Hey Samantha:)
Good, This Retro Kimono style one of my Fav Shootings from you Look Amazing and Fits you so Perfect:) The Photos are Very Interesting and Sophisticated:)
Pls more of these style:)
Kiss Open Kloset By Karina
Happy Weekend

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You look like a Japanese doll. Gorgeous kimonos.

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This retro kimono is so beautiful!! It’s super cool that the Anji is both an influencer and a designer! The location and mood is everything. Makes me want to visit Tokyo and try one on myself!

With love,
Jenn
https://www.jubilantdose.com

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You look amazing in this kimono. Such a gorgeous shoot from the location to you looking fabulous. Love the post, beautiful !
xx, gracie
snappedbygracie.com

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I absolutely love how you styled this kimono! A while back I also did a session with me wearing Chinese QiPao! After seeing your beautiful post, I may want to do another shoot as well. You look stunning girl!

Xo,
Jo

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How sad that the house is going to be torn down, but thank you for saving some of it for future generations. These pictures are more than just editorial perfection, they’re historical. Both in how and what they portray and the art of kimono making certainly is not to be underrated. When Japanese scientist and their wives attend the Nobel Prize Banquet here in Stockholm I’m amazed by the Kimonos (often worth huge amounts of money) that are worn by them and the fact that a German has learned this handicraft is quite an amazing fact.
Thank you for what might be your most beautiful post so far in so many ways!
xoxo
Thomas

http://thomasfalkenstedt.com

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You look absolutely beautiful in Kimono! I love Japanese tradition and culture,. So, seeing you in the kimono makes me wanna discover more!

http://www.thequinoxfashion.com

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This shoot is so beautiful!! You look incredible. Every detail is perfect and just a little edgy, like you are! Love this work.
xx Jenelle
http://www.inspiringwit.com

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Sam, this is ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL! This should be in a magazine. You look so good and the backdrop is perfect. I love this! Great job!
http://www.averysweetblog.com/

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Anji has some beautiful kimonos! It’s almost like they were made for you. They look great with your blunt haircut too 🙂

http://www.thebeautybeau.com

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WOW You look amazing! I Love kimonos so I’m already obsessed with your post 🙂

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omg these photos are so so gorgeous! you are rocking the kimono babe xo, sharon

http://www.stylelullaby.com/travel/spg-credit-card-american-express/

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what a beautiful look babe!! stunner!

xo, samira

http://www.leathertolunch.com/2017/03/06/wardrobe-must-leather-pants/

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When I initially commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get three e-mails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove people from that service? Thanks!

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I will look into the problem! That must be annoying ><

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Wow your kimonos looks so cool. I’ve wanted to wear one.
xoxo, Rachel
http://rachelvogttrends.com

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Oh my goodness, this is hands down one of my all-time favorite photo shoots of yours! You look absolutely stunning in that kimono and I’m loving the retro meets modern vibes. The details are absolutely impeccable!

xo, Jo
http://www.cutandchic.com

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Oh wow … speechless. I love how your photos are always so well captured and we can see you have put so much work into making sure the photographer immortalize the essential. This belongs to a magazine seriously!

xo, Josie
http://www.petiteandbold.com

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This photoshoot is seriously incredible. You look like a dream in this gorgeous kimono and you rmake up is perfect with this. I can’t believe that place is going to be torn down. So sad. 🙁 Kimonos are go beautiful, but so very expensive. I wanted to buy one, but cannot afford any of the lovely silk ones I wanted. You look great. Loved this post.

Xo,
Miki
http://mikialamode.com

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You look absolutely stunning babe!!! I can easily see this in a high couture magazine.
Liv this geisha kind of look.

xoxo
Marcy

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You look picture perfect in this elegant Japanese kimono!

https://www.bunnybernice.com/single-post/2017/03/16/Why-he-put-a-ring-on-it—from-Michael-Hill

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OMG! Those kimonos are so beautiful! I loved seeing the modern elements next to the traditional kimomo. I’ve worn a Hanbok before (duh), but never a kimono. I hope I can wear one the next time I’m in Japan! There’s something nostalgic about wearing the traditional clothes of your culture, right?

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わあ、まりこさん、とっても素敵です!!アンジーさんのステイリングも素晴らしいです。I love kimono!!!

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Oh my what a beautiful shoot! You look amazing and it’s such a cool story that she’s your stylist!
Jordan xx
http://www.thehatlogic.com

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Anji Salz did a great job with the outfit and you look stunning in it. In fact, I love these shots so much I ended up referencing one of them for a drawing.

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