Vintage Kimono at Blue-Ginger
During my recent trip to visit my son Stevie who is teaching in Japan, I met a delightful Japanese lady called Kahori. A visit to the Kimono shop in Omiya, which she runs with her mother, proved to be a delight. Taking off my shoes at the door, I knelt on the tatami matting of the shop floor as kimono after kimono was shaken out on the floor in front of me. The gorgeous designs and intricate embroidery were a sumptuous feast for the eye and the snippets of information and explanation were fascinating as the green tea was meticulously prepared in the corner of the shop. Kahori is well versed in the art of kimono and the tea ceremony and is teaching some of the old lost skills to a new generation of Japanese who have grown up with Western dress. "When I was in school," she explains, "it was so uncool to admit that my parents had a kimono shop. It was a trip to Norway which made me take a new interest in my own culture and now I want to tell everyone about it !"
So Kahori now supplies Blue-Ginger with a selection of Vintage Kimono. We have some 1970's silk formal kimono called tomesode. All have the individually painted or embroidered designs around the hem and can be used as a glamorous evening coat or splendid dressing gown. We also have vintage haori which are kimono jackets and they look amazing over a simple dress or trousers and also fantastic with jeans.
Sue
New textiles have arrived at blue-ginger ....
Amanda Ross
Alice Palace
Deborah Roberts
Beauty & the Bib
Lesley Brankin
Lesley Brankin is a textile artist, freelance needlecraft writer and designer living and working in Malvern, Worcestershire. During the last fourteen years she has built up a solid reputation for her innovative design work and has been the recipient of major prizes both national and international. She is a former Assistant Editor of British Patchwork & Quilting magazine.
Lesley's recent work explores patchwork and quilting as a medium for contemporary textile art. Her 'Noughts & Crosses' series investigates the use of printing and mark making in conjunction with various paint and multi media techniques. One of her pieces was awarded first prize in the Contemporary (large) category at the prestigious Festival of Quilts, August 2007. Lesley is a member of both The Quilters' Guild of the British Isles and Midlands Textile Forum.
You can see more of Lesley's work at www.lesleybrankinquilts.co.uk and her work is available to purchase at blue-ginger.
Alice Caroline Bag - "Gossiping Geishas's"
Alice Caroline is a local business run by two sisters who gave up careers in law and scientific research to follow their passion for fabrics and patterns. They design all the bags which are then made in the UK.
I love the fresh bright prints. They have a holiday feel but have a practical everyday appeal that will make an ordinary working day a little bit special. I was so excited when I realised that Alice Caroline was a local business. Anyone interested in bagging an internationally recognised Alice Caroline bag should hurry along to blue-ginger as we've just received a fantastic and diverse collection.
Sue
Zaida Handmade Rugs
Each rug is hand made by craftsmen on a Fair Trade basis in Kashmir, having been designed in the UK. The rugs take approximately 3.5 weeks to make.
The designs are inspired by internationally renowned artists such as Kandinsky, Miro, Picasso, Hurst, Matisse, Klimt and Hunderwasse.
All products are made by adults, who as co-operatives, set their own rates for the work that they do. At no stage in productions are children involved. Work is not carried out in a factory environment, rather, within their own homes as a cottage industry.
Sarah Walker ArtShades
Sarah Walker creates these wonderful stitched paper lampshades in her studio at the foot
of the Malvern Hills in Worcestershire.
They are created from plant-fibre paper
which is stitched and hand cut to reveal
colours and textures which cannot be
replicated in fabric. Sarah specialises in half-shades which are
backless - perfect where space is
tight such as mantelpieces, shelves, corner
tables and by the bedside. They can even
be used with many existing wall light fittings.
Sarah is a qualified textile artist
whose work incorporates stitched plant-
fibre papers. She has an eye for detail
and her lampshades are beautifully
executed and greatly admired. The
inspiration for her ArtShades comes from
her love of stained glass windows and
Byzantine mosaics. She is particularly
interested in the play of light and the
intensity of colour.
Nicky Thomson Textiles
Nicky Thomson graduated in fashion and textile design and subsequently worked as an interior designer. Her designs are sold around the globe and she has recently supplied the fabulous New York Department Store, ABC Home, with a range of interior products. Nicky creates versatile interior accessories along with fun and wearable fashion pieces which are knitted using softest pure lambs wool sourced from Scotland. The products combine beauty, luxury, style and contemporary with glorious colours.
