about kikko
The Brand
The kikko brand is synonymous with exceptional quality and craftsmanship, bespoke products and unique kimono lining fabrics.
kikko stands for personalised, individual service in a mass-produced world.
The Designer
Karin Heller lived in Kanazawa, Japan for twelve years, and in that time she really grew to appreciate and admire the quality of the Japanese arts and culture. The beauty of the kimono fabric particularly appealed to her and she began thinking about what other application it could be used for.
Being a laptop user herself, she soon realised that there was a gap in the market for stylish, luxurious, quality bags for the professional person.
Karin is not influenced by fads and fashion and draws her inspiration from the Japanese aesthetic of clean, simple, minimal lines.
The Fabrics
All the fabrics used in a kikko bag or wallet, are genuine kimono material imported from Japan. Each design is unique and only one bolt of cloth exists of each design. From each bolt only a few bags can be cut so you know that you are getting a truly limited edition product.
Some of the fabrics are printed, some are woven or dyed, and each design is a piece of Japanese history that won’t ever be repeated. This means that no one else will have the same bag as you, which in a world of copies and mass production is a very special thing indeed.
A shape that features heavily in the patterns of the fabric is the hexagon. Karin loves the perfect symmetry of the hexagon and it is from this that the name kikko is taken. kikko means tortoise-shell/hexagon in Japanese.
The Bags
The classic, simple style of the designs means that they are timeless and not subject to the whims of fashion. The bags are stylish enough to take you from the boardroom to a cocktail party.
The designs are also highly functional with many featuring easily accessible exterior pockets for quick, unhindered reach to mobile phone, keys and travel documents.
Karin’s designs have been featured in Qantas magazine, Home Beautiful and Men’s Style. She has also taken part in the Melbourne Spring Fashion Week as part of the Peter Jago presentation.
She has had international interest in her products and designs an exclusive range of toiletry bags for International Interior Images who supply luxury toiletries to many of the 5 star hotels throughout Australia, Europe and America. These exclusive bags are to be presented to all Nominees for the 2009 Golden Globe and Academy Awards.
