Beginning his work for the Vida Privada collection, artist James Watkins mounted two large canvases to his studio walls. The largest was dedicated to the serenity of privacy and the smaller second canvas sensuality.

The 'sensuality' canvas is darker in tone, with earthen clays and reds in sharper shapes and strokes across the work. Licks of paint across the canvas move around like the dance of flames.

James painting Condesa's artwork in his Escandón, Mexico City studio.

Upon completion, James photographed small portions of the canvas. These photographs were then analyzed and selected for representation across the collection. For the kimono, we chose a section with blocks of teal and avocado green offset against circular shapes of earthen brown and grey, accompanied by strokes of deep red. This portion of the painting feels like a reflection of architecture and plant life of the 'Amsterdam Ring' in Condesa, Mexico City, near James' studio.

Condesa, Mexico City.

Printed on organic silk for the Condesa Kimono, the artwork has a chic neutrality on the front of the garment. On the back, white frames the shoulders with strokes of teal, red, and brown streaking across the back, as if an artwork is hanging off of the wearer's shoulders.

Our silk's manufacturer, Bombyx, has Bluesign certification for responsible and sustainable textile manufacturing and production. They also have a Certification of Environmental Standards with SRS, and a CERES Organic Silk Certification. Bluesign certification means Bombyx does not use any of the 900 harmful dyeing and finishing chemicals identified by the organization, protecting both their employees and the environment. 

The Condesa Kimono is manufactured at a small-batch production studio in South London. The studio specializes in high-end production, working with many emerging designers and brands in the city. Each piece is made by hand in-studio by their talented seamstresses and cutters. It takes over four hours to cut and sew just one kimono. 

You can purchase the Condesa Silk Kimono here.