FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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 Who buys all these
kimono? We sell to collectors, fashion designers, decorators, Broadway productions, college art departments, quilters, and movie studios. All the folks who are mesmerized by exotic fashion or rare textiles are our customers. What are people doing with all these items? Our customers are fashion individualists who collect them as part of their one of a kind wardrobe, or they CUT THEM UP to use as unique textiles to recreate into wearable art, pillows, vests, jackets, pillows, wall hangings, quilts, costumes, book covers, belts, jewelry, and art objects. We do NOT sell new textiles by the yard or bolt. Where do these kimono come from? We go to Japan every year to check out every town, city, nook and cranny. It is an intense treasure hunt that has gone through some radical changes in the past few years. The Japanese, who let the foreigners come and buy up this stuff for the past two decades, have decided that they would like this good stuff for themselves. So now there are many designers in Japan who design fashion and art objects exclusively in vintage kimono textiles. Needless to say, this caused a stampede on certain kimono categories. Prices skyrocket overnight, especially when a particular type has been swallowed up and stashed in the homes of the lucky collectors in Japan who found the few remaining ones. This industry is now a giant roller coaster ride, with supply, categories, and prices in a constant state of change.  All of our products are unique, one of a kind items. We do not sell mail-order and we do not have a retail store. Visit us at our Los Angeles Finale to see our humongous selection. What else do you sell? We sell exactly what we advertise - vintage Kimono, textiles & Obi.
Kimono and textiles are sold and restocked on all of our show days. Our textile panels are
a variety of Kimono, Obi, and wedding Kimono textiles. Whole obi are sold on Sundays only
at our 2-day shows. (Always available at 1-day shows.) Do you Buy/Appraise Kimono? We do NOT buy Kimono, and we cannot appraise your old Kimono for you. Please do not bring them along to the Texuba shows. What sizes are your Kimono? Our long Kimono range from 52" to 55" wide. Our short Kimono (haori) are about 42" wide. Long (floor length) Kimono are meant to wrap around the body in front, which is why most of them are quite wide and roomy. Short Kimono (haori) were originally meant to be worn as "jackets" over the long Kimono. They are not meant to be overlapped on the body, and this is why they are cut more narrow than the long Kimono. LARGE SIZES - We get a huge number of requests for large sizes. Most of our large customers have no problems getting into one of our long Kimono. They usually find the short kimono to be too small. Since our short Kimono are extremely popular as jackets over pants or dresses, our large customers are usually disappointed. What we recommend for our customers who want a large short Kimono is to shorten a floor length Kimono. You will have enough leftover fabric to sew a gorgeous blouse or sash. How long have you been doing this? We have been in business for well over 30 years. We were located in Hawaii from 1973-1988 under the name ORIZABA. We have been producing shows since 1994. Why are you retiring & what's the latest on your plans? It's a long story. Our longtime customers can read it in detail on the Going Home - Retirement page. THE QUICKIE SUMMARY: As announced last year, Texuba's retirement is around the corner. I feel a calling to be in a studio on Maui, doing things like painting & dyeing textiles, & designing with beads. I'm trying my darnedest to get home to Hawaii, but like everything else in life, it's taking longer than expected. We will keep everyone posted. Check this website for schedules/updates, and please keep your contact info current.
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No Mail Order. No Showroom. Items sold only at our Shows. Texuba does not Buy or Appraise Kimono. |
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TEXUBA Torrance, CA 90505 (310) 827-8535 www.texuba.com |