‘Unbound: Visionary Women Collecting Textiles’, Two Temple Place, London, UK, 25 January–19 April 2020

Abstract

tradition and resists Western notions of fast fashion, while simultaneously being entirely modern (Fig. 4). ‘Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk’ made clear how much depth and richness there is to be found in the study of kimono. While it is often understood as a traditional garment, frozen in time, the exhibition presented kimono as simultaneously traditional and entirely relevant to contemporary Japanese society. While the basic construction of kimono has remained unchanged over centuries, the exhibition demonstrated that styles, trends, the way they have been worn and what they signify have changed enormously. A kimono’s decorative motifs might reference poetry or literature or might feature visual puns or word play. These were, and continue to be, a demonstration of the taste and discernment of the wearer, a way of alluding to cultural reference points beyond mere decorative surface, while at the same time allowing for the enjoyment of that surface in its own right. In a similar way, visitors to this exhibition were able to enjoy the sheer visual beauty of the many wonderful objects but could also, if they chose, use them as a starting point for further exploration into Japanese culture, both past and present.