
DUBAI: Founded in August 2023 by a Japanese Muslim woman, Al Dahlia Kimono is a Japanese kimono store in the UAE that focuses on bringing an authentic kimono experience that suits people’s favorite styles.
Motoko, the founder, has been living in Dubai for 17 years. “Living as Muslims here is very safe. Everything is halal and accessible. (Everyone is) accepting of different religions, cultures, and things. (They are) always encouraging everyone with a very positive mindset,” she told Arab News Japan.
She established the store in hopes of spreading awareness about kimonos and showcasing their authentic beauty in the GCC region.
“Despite nearly everyone recognizing the word “kimono” itself, it frustrated me how hard it was to find the right resources, proper information, or someone with the right skill set to enjoy it in its entirety in an authentic way,” said Motoko.
“Hearing about many who visited Japan but either didn’t get a chance to wear a kimono or have never been and would like to enjoy this experience, I knew it was something I was in a position to provide, more than happily, while catering specifically to both a Muslim majority and the Japanese community.”
Additionally, the founder shared that she would like to help Japanese parents in the UAE who would like to do a photoshoot of their children for Shichi-Go-San, a traditional ceremony where children dress up in Japanese clothes, but struggle to find time to fly back to Japan or find a suitable kimono. “Recognizing it was within my skill set to create an opportunity for these parents, it was an easy decision for me to start Al Dahlia Kimono,” she said.
“Nowadays, many non-Japanese are willing to wear kimono, but no one is here to support them. Many Japanese people also don’t know much about kimono or know how to dress up. There are many people selling elegant kimono abayas as well as kimono robes in the market but they are not authentic. I admire and want to help everybody with a passion who wants to wear and learn,” she added.
Since most of them are 100% made of silk and can be expensive to afford, kimonos are usually passed on from one generation to another. “When a kimono is sent for cleaning, all the stitching is removed and what is left is one large piece of unstitched silk. It is then steamed and cleaned so (that the silk doesn’t) shrink and (get) restitched. This kind of consideration is able to keep kimonos in families for generations and is already deeply ingrained in the culture. Recently, I received my own grandmother’s kimono that she rarely wore herself.”
Aside from purchasing, Al Dahlia is also offering renting services for those who are interested in trying on a kimono. The store has also introduced casual non-silk kimonos at a more affordable price.
Furthermore, the response to the store has been extremely positive, with many of the store clients renting out kimonos to attend graduation ceremonies, Ramadan events, or Shichi-Go-San photoshoots.
“Many of (the clients) realized the kimono’s beauty after wearing it,” the founder told Arab News Japan. “Everybody was also happy to see beautiful kimonos, often for the first time in real life. Given the strong positive responses, many of them said they would like to wear it again given the opportunity.”
About distinguishing the store from other Japanese stores in the UAE, Motoko said: “As a Japanese Muslim, I choose Muslim-friendly products and love to bring together conversations that bring communities closer. For example, there are non-silk options for men and kimonos that do not have any animated beings depicted on the designs, as this is quite common in traditional kimonos. This way, everybody, Muslims and non-Muslims alike, can easily choose our products without worrying or paying too much mind. I’m very happy to assist with each client’s style and preference on how they want to wear it. I can help with hairstyles as well that specifically suit Kimonos.”
“I myself, being Japanese, know how heavy Western influences affected the way we thought about our own culture growing up in Japan. I felt so inspired and motivated by all these people and hope to encourage more Japanese people to wear a kimono, of course, maybe not every day, but at least to invest in the skill of knowing about and learning how to wear it,” she added.
Regarding her upcoming projects, Motoko said she is planning to do private Japanese cultural parties. “I feel it would be especially good for Emirati women,” she said. “(They would) dress-up in Kimono, do a personal photoshoot, and have a tea ceremony while wearing Kimono.”
“It would be a perfect opportunity for everybody to enjoy Japanese culture while sharing and creating memories in the UAE with Kimono. We also have plans to collaborate with some traditional Japanese instrument players, artists, and calligraphers that are here in the UAE,” she added.
Al Dahlia Kimono’s products can be found on their website.