New scarf uses Kyocera's synthetic Kyoto Opal material

15 Nov '16

2 min read

Producer of fine ceramics Kyocera Corporation's synthetic opal material Kyoto Opal has been utilised to make a scarf that integrates Kyocera's fine ceramic technology with Japanese traditional dyeing techniques. The scarf was selected for the 'Old Capitals: Kyoto and Nara' project as part of the Hashiru Nippon-Ichi programme that promotes Japanese souvenirs.

The powdered Kyoto Opal is blended with the fabric dye to enable printing the opal directly on the fabric. The dyeing itself is performed one piece at a time by artisans from Some Komori in Kyoto. The concept of the 'Kyoto Playful Opal Color Hand-Printed' scarf was inspired by Kyoto's traditional culture of dressing in layered kimonos to enjoy the contrast of colours.

The scarf is dyed in white and pale pink tones to mimic winter snow and budding cherry blossoms with resplendent opal accents in a variety of rich and subtle hues. The opal material sparkles in seven colours depending on the angle, with the white and pink base appearing in different lights.

Seeming identical to naturally occurring opal, Kyoto Opal overcomes the gem's inherent brittleness, which tends to split and crack, enabling the material to be cut into diverse shapes. It can be used in a wide variety of applications providing rich and subtle hues and tints with special colouring techniques. Kyocera's proprietary technology features a unique aesthetic quality that cannot be duplicated by other moulded resin-based products.

The Hashiru Nippon-Ichi programme was developed by the JR-West Group and Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten, a 300-year old company manufacturing ramie cloth in Nara Prefecture. (KD)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India

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