The New Kimono

Recently, young women in Japan have taken to the idea of wearing kimono as everyday fashion, delighting in scouring secondhand kimono stores and their mothers’ closets for vintage pieces to bring their own wardrobes up to date. A testament to this trend is the success of Nanao, a quarterly magazine aimed at this younger market, and filled with stylish spreads and tips on dressing, finding great but inexpensive pieces, and customizing, accessorizing, and caring for these traditional garments.

The New Kimono presents, in book form, a selection of the best articles from Nanao, providing a wealth of information to Western readers with an interest in kimono. Articles include interviews with young Japanese women who consider kimono their day-to-day garb, advice on how to coordinate fabrics and designs, how to choose an obi, how to choose footwear, how to choose underwear, how to customize vintage kimono, and fabulous vintage kimono fashion spreads. An appendix provides clear, step-by-step guidelines on putting on kimono, kimono underwear, yukata, and obi. A glossary of kimono terms and a shop guide is also included. Beautiful photographs combine with practical hints, making this book indispensable for kimono lovers, as well as anyone with an interest in fashion, Japanese popular culture, or textiles and design.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs