Katie’s Korner: Star Wars Meets Kimono – A Design Journey
Hey there, space cowboys and fabric nerds! Welcome back to Katie’s Korner, where we talk about all things cosplay, craftsmanship, and creative chaos (because let’s be real, no project ever goes exactly as planned). If you’ve followed our past builds—like the insane details of Bo-Katan’s armor or our deep dive into Ahsoka’s latest look—you know we’re always looking for the next challenge. And this time? We definitely found one.
For Star Wars Celebration Tokyo 2024, we wanted to create something completely unique. Not just another costume, but a wearable fusion of Star Wars and traditional Japanese culture—something that felt timeless, elegant, and unmistakably galactic. Enter: The Star Wars Kimono Project.
My Right-Hand Man, Partner in Crime, and the Guy Who Keeps Me Sane
If you’ve been around OuterRim for any amount of time, you know that Todd isn’t just my business partner—he’s the guy who always has my back. Whether it’s hauling half-finished projects across town, talking me off the ledge when things go sideways, or throwing out some crazy idea that actually works, Todd is the Jedi to my Mandalorian, the Wookiee to my smuggler, the man I lean on when things get tough.
For this project, he took the lead on the overall artistry, layout, and design elements, while I focused on kimono construction, fabric choice, and making sure these flowed beautifully. He had the vision—bold, cinematic, and rich with storytelling—and I had the job of making sure it actually worked as a kimono.
And yes, we debated. A lot. Because if there’s one thing about working with your best friend and partner in crime, it’s that neither of us is afraid to dig in and fight for the details. (Fun fact: We spent two hours arguing about shades of red. It was ridiculous.) But in the end? That push-and-pull is what makes our work great.
Bringing the Vision to Life
Kimonos are a completely different beast from the armored builds we usually tackle. There’s no structured bodice to hold its shape, no rigid seams to cheat perfect symmetry—just fluid, deliberate draping that has to work in harmony. The balance is everything. Too short, and it loses its grace. Too long, and you’re tripping over your own masterpiece.
And don’t even get me started on custom fabric printing. The ink absorption, the way light plays off the material, the difference between a digital render and real-world fabric—it all had to be perfect. Todd and I tested swatch after swatch, tweaking saturation, adjusting contrast, making sure that every element—characters, symbols, backgrounds—popped without overpowering the kimono itself.
After a lot of trial and error (and way too much caffeine), we finally got it right. And now, the first batch of these one-of-a-kind, original kimonos is officially shipping out.
From Our Hands to Yours
📦 Pre-orders are being fulfilled, and soon these kimonos will be making their debut at Star Wars Celebration Tokyo. If you snagged one, we cannot wait to see how you style it! Tag us in your photos so we can geek out with you!
And if you missed out? This is just the beginning. This project proved something we’ve known for a while—fandom fashion doesn’t have to be just costumes. It can be wearable art. Maybe next time, we’ll push this even further. More designs? More mashups? Let us know what you’d love to see!
Until next time, keep creating, keep cosplaying, and if Todd tells you that 'just one more adjustment' won’t take long, don’t believe him.
– Katie
🔗 Catch up on all our crazy builds and behind-the-scenes chaos here: Katie’s Korner Blog
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