Xiaxia: when the hijab meets the vintage kimono

Kobayashi Kaori’s project is a meeting between Japanese fashion and Islamic culture through the hijab created from vintage kimonos. Japanese fashion designer Kobayashi Kaori was inspired by her visit to Malaysia in 2017, where she discovered the beauty of hijabs and their aesthetic resemblance to the colorful patterns of early 20th century Japanese kimonos. She then decided to combine this Islamic clothing tradition with Japanese aesthetics.

Her first attempt at tailoring involved using her grandmother’s kimonos, and over time, she developed her style through experimentation and listening to feedback from Muslim customers. Despite the often negative stereotypes in Japan regarding Islam, Kobayashi strives to fill these cultural gaps and spread a more nuanced view of the religion. In 2020, it opened its first store in Tokyo, marking a turning point in its recognition as tourism began to recover. Growing interest in her designs on social media allowed her to expand her influence, diversifying her product line to include matching abayas.

Today, the Xiaxia Hijab Japan brand plays a role in raising awareness and acceptance of Islamic culture in Japan, while promoting Japanese clothing heritage in a modern and accessible way. Kobayashi Kaori sees this project as an opportunity to build cross-cultural connections, affirming that true beauty is borderless.