Hazzel Swenson
Associate Creative Director
Kiriko Made
My time at Kiriko Made gave me the great opportunity to learn about traditional Japanese fabrics, patterns, dyes, and garments. We worked with both new and vintage fabrics, all traditional textiles, creating new accessories and apparel. It was a wonder being able to work with so many beautiful textiles. I learned how they were created and what they symbolized, and kept those values in mind when designing products and telling their story.
At Kiriko, we were a team of various designers, sometimes working together and sometimes independently to create limited runs, and even one-of-a-kind products.
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I had a hand in developing both apparel and accessories, all the way from conceptualizing to completion. On the apparel side, we often worked with vintage garments for the base or inspiration for new pieces, both Japanese and old American styles. Traditional textiles were a small motif, but the main focus in all of our apparel, complemented by simple, neutral colors that were always in season.
 Boro Patchwork PouchesPouches made from patchwork vintage fabrics, including small and damaged patches. It was very satisfying piecing so many different fabrics together, and making use of scraps that otherwise would be wasted. |  Modern Patchwork ScarfThis scarf was one of the first pieces I designed at Kiriko. Made with leftover fabrics from previous productions, it was made in the spirit of "Mottainai" or "waste nothing". |  Kasuri FabricsA collection of Kasuri (Japanese Ikat) fabric swatches, and pocket squares made with yardages of kimono fabrics. |
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 Asanoha SocksKiriko's first run of socks! I helped develop a repeat pattern and colorways for a common Japanese pattern, Asanoha, or "hemp leaves". Manufactured in Japan. |  Boro Patchwork PouchesPouches made with vintage Japanese fabrics, and US-made leathers and zippers. |  Patchwork scarves and bandanasMade with vintage indigo-dyed scrap fabrics. |
In accessories, textiles and pattern are the most important focus, without compromise. Many pieces were also comprised of patchwork in order to use small pieces of fabric, and recycle textiles. This was inspired by Japanese Boro textiles, and a concept called "mottainai" meaning, "do not waste". There is a beauty to the combinations of textiles and pattern, each piece with its own collection of stories.