Ruriko Kawauchi

FOUNDER, iro

KYOTO, JAPAN

Ruriko is the founder of iro, a Kyoto-based kimono brand dedicated to sharing the beauty, stories, and living culture of kimono with people around the world.

Born and raised in Kyoto, Ruriko grew up surrounded by Japanese culture through her two grandmothers. One was an Ama, a traditional Japanese female free diver who collected pearls from the sea, while the other taught tea ceremony and flower arrangement.

Since 2019, Ruriko has been curating vintage kimono and sharing their beauty through pop-ups and workshops across Japan. She also gives kimono that can no longer be worn a new life, transforming them into original pieces and handwoven sakiori creations.

The name iro means both the colors of kimono and each person’s own unique color — reflecting her belief that kimono becomes something truly special when its colors meet the person who wears it.

With deep respect for what has been passed down to her, Ruriko hopes to connect people with the living culture of kimono, in Japan and beyond.