Ukrainian Women on Stage in Yukata and Furisode

 

A kimono show was held at Kobe Portopia Hotel in Kobe City on 24 July, inviting foreigners as models to show the quality of Japanese kimonos.

In addition to students from South-East Asia, five women from Ukraine who have taken refuse in Japan took part. They took to the stage dressed in colourful furisode and yukata.

The show was part of the 50th All Japan Kimono Dressing Championship.
Organised by the NPI Japan Reibi Association and the Japan Kimono Academy. Each participant was presented with a yukata in the hope of promoting the kimono overseas.

Olga Kutova, 38, a Ukrainian who performed at the event, evacuated to Japan with her two-year-old son in April and continues to live in Kobe City. "Real kimonos are amazing. I want to wear it at festivals".