Mikan Workshops 5th anniversary
⏳ 4 min read
2019-2024: Celebrating 5 years of bagmaking classes!
Back in March 2019, I quit my job as a design teacher to direct all my work and creativity towards my brand, Mikan. At the time I had been running Mikan for 3 years, creating small bag collections using vintage kimono. I was also teaching fashion design at Esmod International (Japan) and somehow I decided to combine teaching and bagmaking to create the sewing workshops that I am still hosting 5 years later. As I celebrate the 5th anniversary of Mikan Workshops, I wanted to take a walk down memory lane and appreciate how much the workshops have evolved over the years.
Sewing in a Buddhist temple
It all started in Horenji temple, which was so kind to support my project from the start and offer me the most beautiful setting to welcome my guests in. Participants were mostly travellers and they were always amazed by the location when they showed up for the class, as they didn’t expect to be sewing in a temple! At times the sound of the sewing machines was purring in concert with the religious chants in the background which created such a unique atmosphere. And spoiler alert, this fall we will have a few workshops happening at the temple again! Stay tuned for the details…
The bag design was a drawstring bag, which could be adapted into a shoulder bag, made with obi fabric for the outer and kimno for the lining.
March 2019 after the first class which was a test session. Thanks to Sachi for participating and to Ran Nomura from @zerowaste.japan who joined with her two daughters who all left with beautiful bags! And by my sides are Ariya and her mother from the temple.
The sliding doors all around the room were covered with sumi-e paintings executed 60 years ago by an artist who was staying at the temple.
Kyoto bags in Melbourne and Paris
During this same Spring 2019, I had the chance to host a workshop for the Melbourne Fashion Festival. Looking back on it now, this first experience was such a gamble, to book a flight and a venue, leave with a suitcase full of fabrics and hope there will be people joining the workshops on the day…I remember thinking what if I came all the way and there is barely anyone interested in my classes… but the workshops were all booked out, phew!
The bad design this time was the futo pouch. Since May 2024 you can also book this workshop in Kyoto.
This experience was so exciting that we repeated it in the fall with another set of workshops hosted at The Social Studio in Collingwood for the second time as well as in France: in Paris at La Textilerie and in Lille at Atelier Kumo.
The year after that I partnered with another location in Melbourne and the wonderful team behind it, Second Stitch. This time participants were sewing my usual Mikan bumbag which has been available in my workshops since then. This was in Spring 2020 and as you can imagine a big worldwide event put a hold on my plans to travel abroad for a bit.
Private workshops in Arashiyama
Nowadays, Mikan workshops occasionally travel to Tokyo or other cities in Japan, but since last year , my workshops have only been available for private sessions on request. This way, I am sure to offer a really good experience for all participants and make sure they leave with a beautiful bag AND great memories of this day spent together. I welcome participants in Arsahiyama or I can come to you if you are located in another region (details to be discussed case by case).
If you are staying in Kyoto for a short period and spending a day in the workshop sounds too long, we can also start creating your bag together and I will finish it while you go and explore.
If you wish to join one of my workshops, please make a reservation below or contact me if you wish to discuss further.
I look forward to meet you and create together!
