Experiences

When I first crossed paths with Traeonna, I knew very little about kimono. I've been gifted a few garments over the years and thought they were very beautiful, but didn't know what to do with them other than display them in my apartment as art, more so than something to wear. Then I attended two anime convention panels that Traeonna hosted, which were "So You Want to Wear Kimono?!" and "Kimono Fusion: Merging Style and Culture". Both of these lectures were SUCH a treat to attend, and they were completely transformative to my understanding of these garments. Traeonna opened my eyes to how accessible wearing kimono can be, especially because she/ae strives to be inclusive of different bodies, gender expressions, and backgrounds.

I stopped by Traeonna’s pop-up shop, where she/ae was very welcoming and happy to answer all my questions. The two vintage michiyuki that I purchased from Kimono Kitsune were in great condition, and they’ve become treasured pieces in my wardrobe! And the two himo I purchased were well-constructed, sturdy, and have withstood all the tying and re-tying I’ve subjected them to.

When talking to Traeonna, you quickly get a sense that she/ae has several years of lived experience wearing kimono, studying under different teachers, and teaching many different kinds of students. She/ae draws from these varied experiences when teaching and is able to share nuggets of wisdom that you likely wouldn’t find in a book. As I’ve begun yukata dressing lessons, Traeonna has been very patient with me, adjusting to my learning style and preferences. I was initially disheartened with how unruly my ohashori looked, but she/ae helped me troubleshoot and came up with kitsuke tricks based on the relationship between my body (as I’m pretty short) and my yukata. Of course, I still have a long way to go on my kimono-wearing journey, but I’ve been able to see progress over the two lessons I’ve taken so far, thanks to Traeonna!

Kimono Kitsune is truly a gem as it makes kimono accessible by sharing its beauty through various community events, provides a welcoming and inclusive shopping experience, and offers in-person kimono dressing lessons in the Midwest, which is a precious opportunity here! Much gratitude from my little corner of Michigan!