Deco Fashioning Kimono

For all of our east coast customers who love all things Deco, only two weeks left to experience the Fashioning Kimono exhibition focused on the Art Deco and modern periods of Japan’s national dress. The exhibition includes elegant formal, semi-formal, and casual kimono, as well as haori jackets, and under-kimono attire worn by both men and women, as well as children.

When Art Nouveau became fashionable in the late 19^th century, it quickly spread to major urban centers in Europe and North America; this new, 'modern' style incorporated diverse sources and artistic traditions, and natural forms with elegant floral forms and scrolling arabesques. (Kimono images courtesy of V&A Museum, London, U.K. - Montgomery Collection)

Art Nouveau’s flowing lines, clearly visible in these Art Nouveau Carnelian earrings at Deco Belle, rooted in nature, exemplified by flowers, and intertwining of stems and flowers acquiesced perfectly with the Japanese use of natural forms and strong, undulating lines.

This artistic fusion and mutual influence are apparent in the kimonos in the Philadelphia Museum of Art exhibition.

Though quintessentially Japanese, the kimono form has influenced fashion designers around the world, Deco Belle jewelry from around the world is glad to feature Art Deco and global styles of fashion.

Future dates and museum locations for the Fashioning Kimono art exhibition are as follows:

November 15, 2008 - February 15, 2009: Ringling Museum of Art, Florida

March 7, 2008 - May 17 Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art, Florida,

June 6, 2008- August 16, Tyler Museum of Art, Texas

December 4, 2009 - January 10, 2010: Society of the Four Arts, Florida

January 30, 2010- April 11: Memorial Art Gallery, New York

July 31, 2010 -October 10: Birmingham Museum of Art, Alabama