Kokin is an ethical, handmade clothing label owned and operated by me, Makiko. You can call me Mak/Maki :)
I'm a Japanese creative currently based in Brisbane, Australia.
I was born in a small beach town in Japan, where my family has lived for more than 230 years. I grew up surrounded by the ocean, rivers, and mountains, experiencing diverse culture in Japan and Australia.
My family has always cherished beautiful Japanese traditions and my grandparents have told me many stories about our culture and history since I was little. My love and passion for kimonos are definitely coming from my grandmother and mother.
It all started when my grandmother showed me a huge pile of kimonos that are no longer in use.
I inherited all those kimonos which my grandmother used to wear on a day-to-day basis, and also include the ones she had inherited from her family.
I felt like it is my mission to find a way to bring those forgotten treasure back into our lives. Now I transform pre-loved kimonos into modern clothing, aiming to share the beauty with young generations all around the world.
The number of the items that can be made from a kimono are extremely limited. All my items are exclusive, and thoughtfully crafted just for you. Each item is unique and pre-loved, and though each garment has been carefully cleaned, some fabrics may display visible wear such as discolouration or minor stains. Yet, they are too beautiful to go to waste.
At Kokin, we celebrate the timeless beauty of pre-loved/vintage kimonos by giving them a new life through upcycling, in modern styles such as shirts, vests, and dresses.
Made For Sensitive Skin
As someone who struggles with eczema in day-to-day life, finding comfortable garments that are kind to the skin is significant. To bring comfort and durability to my pieces, I incorporate deadstock fabrics and use the technique called French seams to make clean finishes.
Join us in embracing both old and new, and discover the perfect piece that resonates with your unique style. Enquire via contact form or email for custom pieces!
I love our beautiful planet and do my best to keep it that way. All the garments are sourced sustainably, almost always secondhand, which include pre-loved kimonos and dead-stock fabrics.
The majority of the kimonos I use are in natural materials such as silk and cotton.
In order to make the packaging as earth-friendly as possible, I use plant-based materials such as paper and home-compostable mailers.
Have a question? I'm happy to help! Please fill out the form and I will get in touch with you shortly.
