ABOUT HWIT
HWIT treasures culture and creativity. We aim to be a brand that is needed by society, working with artisans and artists who nurture tradition, to contribute to the community, and offer our customers new experiences.
01. DESIGN
HWIT’s dresses are designed with draping that allows the fabric to flow naturally, a simple and sophisticated Japanese technique that takes advantage of the fabric’s characteristics.
02. MATERIALS
SILK
Silk from Yonezawa
The silk factory in Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture, was established in the 1930s.
Craftsmen work with their hands, using skills handed down through the generations.
Silk satin weaved with nearly 20 thousand warp yarns emanates a unique feel and luster.
The silk-worm’s natural glue gives the organdie its characteristic feel.
SAKIORI
Sakiori from Aomori
Traditional upcycled fabric from the Tsugaru area of Aomori in the Tohoku region.
The fabric, made by ripping old clothes and weaving the fabric by hand, was treasured as work clothes for fishermen,
but rubber gear had led to the decline of this technique.
HWIT’s sakiori is made by artist Murakami, who hand-weaves in three dimensions ripped silk backing as bridal wear,
to create a one-of-a-kind upcycled fabric with unique feel.
HABUTAE
Habutae from Fukui
Habutae is a silk fabric traditionally used for kimono linings.
Silk yarn Habutae is woven with wet weft threads, to prevent fluffing.
Its smooth lining developed as the lining of choice for Japanese kimonos. The natural proteins in the silk threads are gentle to the touch.
The awe-inspiring weaving process involves constantly watering the factory building to maintain humidity, and watering the threads as they are weaved.
TRADITIONAL FABRIC
Traditional fabric from Okinawa
In the villages and remote islands of Okinawa, fabrics are still woven by hand, and the raw materials, yarn and dyes, begin with the cultivation of the plants.
There are some precious fabrics, which take up to three years from cultivation to dyeing and weaving.
Okinawa’s ancient technique flourished during the Ryukyu period, and even today is preserved by the village women.
REGENERATIVE PRODUCTS
Through sakiori and kimono upcycling, kimonos that were going to be thrown out are transformed into new products perfect for modern times.
These one-of-a-kind pieces combine higher value and timelessness.