Miyu: the traditional Japanese Hakama pants with a contemporary twist

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Haka...what in the world is that? Hakama pants are often combined with kimonos: they're a popular, must-have garment in Japan. They're popular, while at the same time being incredibly traditional. Since their first appearance in the 6th century, the Hakama has made quite the journey. The result is that they are increasingly worn for all kinds of different occasions...From weddings to martial arts, anyone visiting the far-off country of Japan can’t possibly miss them!

Miyu

Your lucky pants

The traditional Hakama can easily be recognized by looking for the five to seven pleats accenting the pants. Each pleat of the Hakama symbolizes a Japanese spiritual virtue. The five front pleats represent:

  • Yuki (courage)
  • Jin (humanity)
  • Gi (justice)
  • Rei (courtesy)
  • Makoto (sincerity or honesty)

At the back of the Hakama, loyalty (Chugi) and honor (Meiyo) are the spiritual virtues embodied by these two pleats.

We’ve simplified the Hakama pants and created a contemporary version with three pleats. It’s up to you what you want these pleats to symbolize. Courage, justice and honesty are three of our favorites.

Go to the Miyu pattern

Miyu

M(i)y(u) combination

These aren’t your everyday pants, so what can you combine them with? Since the Miyu Pants aren’t too different from culottes, there are countless ways to mix and match them. Are you more into the traditional look? If so, a good option is to use a fabric with a fluid drape, like crepe, a thin woolen fabric or viscose and combine this with a fitted top: a camisole or a nice t-shirt, for instance.  Is a young, up-beat look more your thing? Go for a stiffer fabric then, like jeans, cotton or a fabric with metallic fibers. Now throw a cozy oversized sweater on, and you're all set! 

Miyu

Go to the Miyu pattern

MoMu: a never-ending fount of inspiration

In Belgium, you can take a look at a real, traditional pair of Hakama pants in the Antwerp Fashion Museum’s (MoMu!) study collection. The version they have on loan were made in 1958 and were a gift to the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York. Since 1994, this original pair of Hakama pants have served as study material and a source of inspiration for students during their studies at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp.

Are you looking for more inspiration too for making your own clothes, picking a fabric or coming up with specific combinations you have in mind? Yes? Well, you still have until the 24th of February to visit the temporary exhibition, Soft? Tactile Dialogues at the Maurice Verbaet Center in Antwerp. This exhibition addresses the freedom with which artists are able to shift between different media, touches on unexpected applications of textiles, the disparity between tactility and aversion, textures and reflects on how sculptures are covered. 

MoMu
Soft? Tactile Dialogues
28.09.2018 - 24.02.2019

FREE

More information can be found at: https://www.momu.be/nl/tentoonstellingen/soft-tactiele-dialogen

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