Vintage Japanese Kimono
Japanese kimono is an important part of Japan's traditional art and culture. Representing the pinnacle of Japanese aesthetics with intricate techniques like Yuzen (hand-painting), Shibori (tie-dye), and embroidery - all stitched by hand - a kimono is truly a wearable art piece.
Our collection primarily focus on vintage haori (the kimono jacket typically worn on top of the traditional kimono) as it is easier to combine with Western clothing. We invite you to enjoy wearing these unique art pieces - for casual elegance as well as special events!
Vintage Japanese Kimono
Vintage Scandinavian Textiles
Scandinavian cultural heritage is deeply rooted in textile art. Our collection primarily covers the folklore tradition of southern Sweden with 'Flamskväv' (Flemish tapestry), 'Röllakan' (Flatweave), and laid-in techniques such as 'Krabbasnår' and 'Dukagång'.
These are colorful treasures in home decoration, adding warmth and peace to any space.
'Flamskväv' is a historic tapestry technique (brought to Sweden from Flanders, Belgium) known for its vibrant, stylized woolen scenes on linen warps, typically woven sideways on smaller upright looms. Flemish weaving evolved into a rich Swedish folk art tradition, moving from elite 16th-century workshop to local countryside production by the 18th century. From the 1950s, the traditional, often religiously/historically themed folk craft evolved into a modern expression with contemporary aesthetics and to this day remaining a highly regarded, slow craft. On the bigger, traditional looms, weavings became runners, coverlets, and wall-hangings.
We invite you to enjoy these unique pieces of Swedish crafts(wo)manship in your daily life!
Vintage Scandinavian Textiles
Handmade Jewelry & Accessories
Inspired by the beauty of fabric, I often find myself asking - why don't we see more textiles integrated in jewelry? Having collected kimono for many years, I often acquired a piece because or the beauty of the silk, the pattern or color, despite the kimono being stained or too fragile to wear. Starting with necklaces and bags, my main passion is now earrings and also scarves integrating beautiful old Japanese fabric from kimono and obi.
Welcome to this explorative collection. I hope you will find something that you like!
About
WabiSabi Works
Preserving textile heritage through curated vintage finds and handmade creations.
Growing up in Sweden, I owe my love of handicraft and distinctive design to my mother, who filled our home with Scandinavian functional design alongside rugs and textiles from around the world. From early on, wherever I traveled, I found myself drawn to antique- and flea markets, always on the lookout for beautiful vintage pieces, natural materials, and handmade objects with history.
Early in my career, I had the opportunity to move to Tokyo, Japan where my aesthetic sense was transformed. From kimono and tea ceremony to lacquerware, woodblock prints and ikebana, I was captivated by the beauty and artistry woven into everyday life. At Tokyo’s weekend temple markets, I began collecting vintage kimono. Many showed signs of age, but their fabrics were extraordinary. Over time, I came to see these pieces not simply as garments, but as wearable art.
When leaving Japan for Spain, I began to incorporate the kimono jacket (‘haori’) into my everyday wardrobe pairing them with both casual and formal clothing. I also started to share my collection with friends, and selling at local crafts- and antique markets. I loved the conversations they sparked and so the WabiSabi Kimono brand was born.
When we relocated to California, the collection came too. Here, inspired by the Norther California artistic community, I began creating my own jewelry and accessories by up-cycling kimono fabric and giving these beautiful textiles a new life.
Along the way, summers back in Sweden rekindled my appreciation for Swedish textile heritage, particularly the artful weavings and playful tapestries of Southern Sweden, and it felt natural to bring these into the fold as well.
WabiSabi Works is where these passions converge: bringing together and sharing Japanese and Scandinavian textile traditions through a curated collection of vintage treasures and handmade creations. Each vintage piece reflects a deep respect for craftsmanship. By replacing machine-made by hand-made and enjoying these pieces in our daily lives, we invite sustainability and hopefully an appreciation for the uniqueness of handmade items and the traditions behind them. Maybe, you start to create too!
I hope you find something here that inspires you to bring beauty, history, and craftsmanship into your everyday life.
Thank you for visiting and welcome to the WabiSabi Works community,
Andrea Tegstam