Based in

Beverly Hills, CA

Konnichiwa!

I’m Naomi, the owner of Yoko Beverly Hills. I was born and raised in a small town near Kyoto, in the heart of cultural Japan. Some of my fondest childhood memories are of dressing up in my Obaachan’s kimono robes. Today, I live in Los Angeles with my son and our rescue cat, and I’m very happy to share a little piece of Japanese textile culture with you.

Although fewer people in Japan wear kimono in everyday life today, the tradition of creating kimono textiles is very much alive. Silk, wool, cotton, and hemp fabrics are still woven and dyed by skilled artisans, many of whom come from families that have practiced these techniques for generations. Some methods used in kimono making have histories stretching back more than 1,000 years.

Traditional kimono fabric is woven in long, narrow bolts, usually about 14 inches wide and 11 to 13 yards long. My vendors have close ties to the Japanese kimono textile trade and are able to source beautiful unused vintage and retired bolts, as well as vintage kimono robes.

The kimono robes we purchase are carefully deconstructed and pressed in Japan by experienced women, allowing the individual silk panels to be used again for sewing, quilting, fashion, home décor, accessories, artwork, and countless other creative projects.

Many of these fabrics were originally very expensive. I have received unused bolts that still carried original price tags of well over $2,000. Being able to offer these remarkable textiles at accessible prices—and give them a new life outside Japan—is something I am very proud of.

Every piece is one of a kind. Some feature traditional Japanese weaves, motifs, and dyeing techniques, while others have surprisingly modern colors and designs. Most are in beautiful condition, although vintage fabrics may occasionally have small stains, age marks, or other imperfections. Whenever I notice them, I do my best to show and describe them clearly in the listing photos.

The collection at Yoko Beverly Hills is constantly changing, so I hope you’ll visit often. Above all, I encourage you to think beyond the kimono itself. These extraordinary fabrics have already survived decades—and sometimes much longer—and there are endless ways to transform them into something new and beautiful.

Domo arigato for visiting Yoko Beverly Hills.

Naomi