Beauty behind the scenes

Introducing clothing made by hand by Ren Hike and Yuko, a husband and wife team based in Hangzhou, China.

Even though it is silk, the texture of the processed fabric varies, and this piece has a smooth feel that makes it suitable for everyday wear or for special occasions.

While the silhouette visible on the surface and the detailed accent stitching are beautiful, what really deserves special mention is the back side.

Until now, I had rarely paid much attention to the lining of clothes, but their clothes made me realize the importance of the lining.

There are no obvious protruding seams or sewn marks that are commonly seen on the back side.

The interesting part of the back side is left as is, but the parts where the fabric is sewn together are all sewn together.
The finish is hand sewn, resulting in a consistent, even feel throughout.

There is no separation between the front and back, and everything is beautifully finished.

This is not just something you see with your eyes, your skin will notice it when you put it on.

The beautiful finish means there is no discomfort or tugging on the skin.

You can simply feel the texture of the material directly.

I would wholeheartedly recommend this item to anyone with sensitive or weak skin.

The golden brown part seen on the back is the result of two types of dyeing.

It is dyed with mud, and the base is dyed with a type of traditional Chinese plant dye called ``honglu'' potato.

This is a variety of potato that is grown in Okinawa, Japan, and is also used as a type of traditional Chinese medicine.It is also called somemonoimo and has a striking orange cross-section when cut.

This is used as a dye and the fabric is dyed over and over ten times with a brush. The photo below shows the color dyed only with somemonoimo potato.

Because it is made with care, it is very durable and does not fade easily when washed.

It is similar to persimmon tannin, but the vivid color unique to the potato blends well with the skin and has a noble color that is somewhat reminiscent of the color of a monk's robe.

Combining this color with mud dyeing creates a unique presence with depth.

When you hear the word silk, you may be concerned about how to care for it, but we recommend washing it in the washing machine.

If you fold it neatly and wash it by hand, it is possible that creases may remain, but if you wash it roughly without smoothing it out, the creases will be distributed evenly.

Reminiscent of the culture of the past when people would simply wash their clothes in a nearby river, letting the water flow by, these garments combine traditional techniques with the intricate designs of Ren Hsiao and Yuzi, blending the past and present.

In addition to making clothes, Ren Hing also runs a gallery displaying antiques that he has collected himself.

The textures that resonate with his senses and the unique distance between things are also evident in his clothing.

One of the joys of collecting these clothes is that they will eventually develop a deep vintage character as they are worn for a long time.

A recommended item is a silk dress that can be worn in any season throughout the year.
Stay warm in winter with a loose wool knit jacket.