Mariko Ichikawa founded her line with the goal of re-purposing traditional Japanese kimonos for modern day wear. Born out of the spirit of “mottainai” from her Japanese heritage, which emphasizes not wasting anything and re-using everything, Mariko up-cycles Japanese kimonos into unique coats and jackets featuring couture embroideries.
By working with artisans in India to compliment the individual fabric design of each kimono, a stain or hole in the fabric is not viewed as a flaw, but as an opportunity to honor the tradition of embroidery. Drawing inspiration from both the legacy of the kimono itself as well as her own life adventures, a kimono from Mariko Ichikawa is a one-of-a-kind object, steeped in heritage and evolved from tradition, yet made for today.
Born of mixed heritage (her father is Japanese and her mother is Italian- American), the New York City-native, and former Dubai resident, amassed an impressive resume of fashion industry experience prior to starting her brand. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania she spent almost a decade as a womenswear buyer for stores like Bergdorf Goodman and Barneys, while taking fashion design classes at FIT on the weekends. And avid equestrian and veteran burner, Mariko currently resides in East Harlem, NY with her dog Coco and her cat Koney.
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