Shibori Now: From Tie-Dye to High Fashion

Shibori is infinitely more than the tie-dye that became well known in the late 1960s. Shaped-resist dyeing techniques have been employed around the world, yet more than half of the known techniques originated in Japan. Shibori can be used not only to create patterns on cloth but also to turn fabric from a two-dimensional object into three dimensions through traditional methods as well as high-tech processes such as heat-set on polyester (made famous by Issey Miyake’s revolutionary pleated clothing) and melt-off on metallic fabric. Drawing from her book Memory on Cloth: Shibori Now, textile scholar artist, and author Yoshiko Iwamoto Wada discusses the range of vibrant modern applications of shibori techniques by innovative artists and designers such as Issey Miyake, Yohji Yamamoto and Jun’ichi Arai. With an introduction by Jun Kanai, U.S. Representative, Miyake Design Studio.

Followed by a reception and booksigning.

Tickets: $10, Japan Society members & seniors $8, students $5.