WRAP ARTIST

WHETHER USED AS GIFT WRAP, IMPROVISED TOTES, OR FASHION ACCESSORIES, KEIKO KIRA'S FABRIC WRAPS SHOW THAT BEAUTY CAN TAKE ANY FORM—OVER AND OVER.

- 

A thousand years ago, the Japanese needed a way to transport their clothes to the popular public baths of the era.

Furoshiki—traditional Japanese fabric wrapping—was born. Today, Keiko Kira, the artist and matriarch behind the Kansas City, Missouri-based Keiko Furoshiki, has infused new life into this versatile, ancient, and sustainable practice. Thanks to her bold patterns, wild colors, and creative wrapping techniques, fabric has never been this much fun. Interview by Jacqueline Kehoe.

MWL Tell me about your connection to furoshiki. Did you grow up with it?

KK I was born and raised in Japan—I came to the U.S. when I was 16 to study. I remember as a child, if something broke, like an umbrella or my mother's high heel, it would get repaired. That's the beauty of furoshiki— being resourceful. Of course, with Western influence, handbags became popular in Japan, but furoshiki never phased out completely. People still use fabric to wrap something precious or give gifts, and now it's become even more popular for sustainability.

MWL And there are so many uses beyond gift wrapping, right?