It was a serendipitous moment.
That day, I was in the process of selecting brands for the SS25 buying season and had just reached out to a new brand.
I was drawn to their minimal designs inspired by elements like kimono, their careful selection of materials, and their philosophy of cherishing objects. I felt a strong sense of resonance and believed the brand would be a great fit for our store.
That afternoon, while I was working on the shop floor, I was chatting with a customer during checkout. We were making light conversation, when the customer suddenly recommended a brand, saying, “Have you heard of a brand called MITTAN? I think it would suit your store.”
To my surprise, it was the very brand I had contacted that morning. I told the customer so, amazed at the coincidence.
MITTAN is a brand based in Kyoto, founded in 2013.
They use carefully selected materials to create clothes that are both comfortable and refined, designed to be worn for many years.
One of their most unique features is their repair and buy-back service.
Garments that have been worn for a long time and have holes or faded colors are revived through patching, stitching, or redyeing. It’s a beautiful way to bring new life to old clothes.
In late July 2024, I had the opportunity to visit MITTAN’s atelier in Kyoto.
I had some time before my appointment, so I wandered around the city. I was reminded of how beautiful Kyoto is, and despite the summer heat, I walked around, enjoying the scenery.
I realized that a garden I hadn’t visited since middle school was nearby, so I decided to stop by.
Memories often get romanticized, so I tried to temper my excitement, telling myself the emotions I felt back then might have been due to my young age. But as I stepped into the garden, I found myself captivated by its beauty once again. I felt ashamed for even doubting my past self’s impression.
The garden is called Murin-an—if you ever find yourself in Kyoto, I recommend a visit. (By the way, there’s also a great udon restaurant nearby called Yamamoto Menzo.)
Anyway, back to the main topic—my visit to MITTAN’s atelier.
It’s located about 10 minutes north by car from the garden I just mentioned, in a rather secluded area with no shops around. You really have to intend to go there to find it.
The atelier wasn’t in the typical traditional Kyoto-style architecture, but it had a calm and inviting presence.
The first floor houses their office and repair workshop, and the second floor serves as their store.
The shop upstairs was stunning—no matter where you looked, it was refined and elegant.
Through the small window, I could see a floral artist’s residence and a beautifully kept garden full of greenery.
The shop didn’t just carry new items; there were also repaired pieces on display.
These repaired garments didn’t show any signs of wear; in fact, they had a unique presence that can only be developed over time. Each one was deeply attractive.
The brand’s philosophy of creating garments to be worn for years was perfectly embodied in these pieces, and it renewed my appreciation for MITTAN’s charm.
As I left the atelier, I felt deeply moved—not just by the joy of discovering such a wonderful brand, but also by their commitment to tackling one of the most difficult themes in fashion: creating clothes that endure beyond trends.
Their sincere dedication to craftsmanship, shown through their repair services, was truly inspiring.
I'm so glad I made the trip to Kyoto.
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