I made this bomber jacket from a vintage silk kimono in a komon (small pattern) style. This sharkskin motif showcases the dyer's art, because even the tiniest misalignment in the stencil repeat is immediately perceived by the eye. The heavyweight silk crepe shows subtle discoloration from age, and many of the cut silk threads from the original kimono seams remain.

The lining comes from another vintage kimono with a komon pattern depicting garden landscapes with fencing, railings, and cloud forms with geometric infills. It is resist-dyed on a damask silk that gives additional texture and complexity to the pattern.

I singed the silk edges at the collar and hems with a candle flame to reduce fraying, but the edges are raw and will unravel. Gentle hand washing is ok, and steam, but do not heat press, to avoid compressing the lightweight fill.