Over & Over Style is the project of Barbara & Vivian, veterans of the Seattle apparel industry, with shared passions for textile artistry, history & travel, and the transformative power of clothing. In search of our next act, we came across a treasure trove of vintage kimonos (way too beautiful to be hidden away in moth balls) and decided to give them new life. The result, after hours upon countless hours of designing, deconstructing, washing, steaming, cutting & sewing, is a collection of unique home decor and one-of-a-kind garments in a dazzling array of patterns and colors.
The Satoko – a one size fits most duster coat to toss over jeans, belt as a dress, or wear at home over nothing at all because it’s lined with silk charmeuse and feels like a dream.
The Kaori – a sleeveless wrap dress /vest to wear closed with self-belt on its own or open over just about anything you can imagine. Also lined with silk charmeuse – the world’s most luxurious feeling fabric.
In keeping with our values of respect and appreciation, our styles are named for two Japanese women we love and have learned a lot from.
Satoko is Vivian's Mom. Here she is at 3 and 20. She has always had an eye for sophisticated style and quality. One of her passions was making clothing for herself and family where fit and finish was key.
Kaori is a dear friend who is an amazing talent. She inspires us every day, so we wanted to honor her by designing a namesake style.
We are lucky to have so many incredible women in our lives who helped us make our vision a reality. A patternmaker who managed a factory in Europe, and has won awards for her tailored coat designs. An incredible seamstress who meticulously sews each garment from beginning to end - her expertise is evident in the couture quality of workmanship. A fabulous photographer and gorgeous models. And the women of Refugee Artisans Initiative in Seattle who make our garment bags to store these special treasures in.
This collection reflects our core values:
Sustainability - using vintage materials to create new garments and reduce landfill debris
Competitive Wages - we are paying highly skilled people for their expertise
Commitment to Community - all labor is local in the the Seattle area and we support artisans and non-profit programs by partnering with them to craft high quality creations that can be cherished and passed down for generations.
Kimonos have a rich history. From spinning the silk and other fibers, to varied methods of weaving, dyeing, painting, and embellishing, each one is created as a unique work of art. We want these beautiful textiles to be worn, not hidden away. We love learning as we go and will share on our blog.
We hope you'll take a look and let us know what you think.