Ikian.fr distributes Chikako Inoue's clothing and footwear line. Japanese fashion designer and globe-trotter, she has been living in Paris since 1989.
Her Trazita collection combines influences from Indies, Andes and elsewhere, but of course Japan is her main source of inspiration.
Japanese clothing
From her childhood spent in her parents' garment workshop, she kept the passion for Japanese workwear: Whether workers, gardeners, farmers or artisans: All of them wore NIKKA and JIKATABI.
NIKKA
The Nikka pants, or Nikkapokka, come from the Knickerbockers, curved knee-length trousers fashionable during the 1920ies in America and in Europe.
These knickers, whose shape was halfway between golf trousers and horseriding pants, were adopted in Japan and extended to the ankle to become the Nikka, the Japanese work pants, worn on construction sites, in factories and craftsmen workshops.
In turn, the stylist Chikako Inoue appropriated them and translated them into a more Western version, to make her Nikka pants a key piece of the Trazita collection.
JIKATABI
In the same way, she transformed the Jikatabi: traditional Japanese shoes worn by workers and farmers, into a more urban and refined version: Ikitabi.
By adorning them with lamé Obi fabrics or declining them in different trendy colors, and even in ballerinas, she transforms the jikatabi into avant-garde pieces bringing an original touch to any outfit. These shoes specificity is their big toe separated from the other ones, giving a Ninja touch to the whole look!
HAKAMA
Other traditional Japanese trousers, the Hakama pants were worn by the Samurais. These wide pleated pants inspired the long Hakama skirt in the Trazita collection.
Associated with Ikitabi high boots, the Nikka pants or the Hakama skirt are a kind of protective outfit to cope everyday urban challenges, but in a very iki style: both classy and cool.
Japanese fabrics and prints
For her Trazita line, Chikako Inoué reinterprets famous traditional Japanese motifs, such as the Yagasuri motif found on alpaca knit hats, scarves, tops and leggings in the winter collection, and on tapered summer saroual pants.
She also uses Shibori, a traditional folding Japanese tye and die technique, giving relief patterns declined on scarves, or on the dresses yokes and silk tunics from her summer collections.
Kimonos
The traditional Japanese kimono is also an endless source of inspiration. For the boutique and the Ikian e-shop, Chikako Inoué selects ancient kimonos in perfect condition, making sure to choose the most interesting fabrics and the most suited to the Westerners' tastes.
With a few delicate finishes, these one-off pieces cut is perfected with refined details, when other Kimonos undergo a total transformation.
Ikian offers kimonos for all genders: men's kimono, women's kimono, or unisex kimono, they are almost always in pure silk.
Here are the kind of kimonos you can find in the shop and on the e-shop:
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Haori : The Haori is a short uncrossed kimono. Formerly it was worn as a jacket over a longer kimono. The lining of the ancient Haoris is often more interesting than the outside, elegance is in the detail: It is the Japanese discreet coquetry ! You will wear your haori open on jeans or on a dress… Give it a second life in the West ! More refined and original than a jacket, it's the assurance of being classy for any occasion.
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Kimono : The ancient long kimonos fall to the ground and are not suitable for active life. Also the kimonos proposed on ikian.fr are rather transformed kimonos, half-length kimonos, or even young-girls' kimonos : a little shorter and narrow than the other kimonos, often with very long sleeves, they are always precious and romantic.
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Short + long kimono set : It is the traditional Japanese set for special occasions, consisting of a short kimono (haori) to be worn over the long one and its assorted Obi belt.
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Juban : Even if it was formerly worn under a kimono, the Juban was often more beautiful, for its owner's own and secret pleasure… Nowadays you can wear it open like a light coat over your clothes, like a refined interior outfit or a belted ceremonial dress, all combinations are possible! These are silk one-off pieces.
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Yukata : More casual, This kimono is to be worn when jumping out of bed ... Often in printed cotton, it is much more classy than a dressing-gown !
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Hanten : Short or mid-long, sometimes reversible, it is a Japanese quilted kimono.
Recycled kimono clothing
In an eco-responsible approach, the stylist uses recycled materials for her creations. Vintage kimonos are the source of multiple dresses, skirts and tunics, combining their plain or printed silk with both original and sober cuts.
They are refined one-off pieces usually made of pure silk.
These recycled kimono garments also represent a new way to involve in environment issues by fighting waste and dressing stylishly with a more ethical fashion.
You can also find all these items in the Parisian shop of the Marais district :
The TRAZITA store (23 rue des Blancs Manteaux, 75004 Paris) is open every day from 12.30 to 19.30, and from 15.00 to 19.00 on Sundays.