Timeless design rooted in Japanese values & aesthetics

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Kai Kotto

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The British Discovery

Paula Kozłowska, working under the pseudonym Kai Kotto, is the latest Polish discovery of Harry Styles’ stylist Harry Lambert, recently described by British (and Polish) Vogue. Paula is a creator of adorable knitted waistcoats with motifs inspired by 19th century folklore, primarily Slavic and Scandinavian. But her Instagram profile hints that there's more to discover. You can feel the Japanese influence under the skin in her products. Apparently, she has always been fascinated by the contours of Japanese clothing. From time to time, her Instagram account also features 19th-century Japanese book covers, which - like her hand-knitted clothes - are stunning in their colours and composition, evoking childhood memories.

Girl in a pink and brick chequered jumper
Kai Kotto waistcoat. Via Instagram.
Old book cover in celadon with graphic mountain motif
Cover of a collection of essays from Yama no Pense book by Magoichi Kushida, from Kai Kotto's Instagram profile. Via Pinterest.
Girl in green blouse and dark waistcoat with cherry blossom motif
Kai Kotto waistcoat. Via Instagram.
Japanese fabric pattern in beige and blue with a graphic red pine tree motif
Pattern of a Japanese fabric by A. Kitagawa from c. 1935, from Kai Kotto's Instagram profile. Via Poster Museum.
Girl in green waistcoat with Mount Fuji motif
Kai Kotto waistcoat. Via Instagram.
Old catalogue cover in brick-red colour with inscription in Japanese and floral motifs
Cover of Ichikasa Onishi's 1934 catalogue, Kyoto Art Club, from Kai Kotto's Instagram profile. Via Yahoo.co.jp.
Lithograph in celadon with graphic motif of red floats
Japanese lithograph from the mid-19th century, from Kai Kotto's Instagram profile. Via holespoles.tumblr.com.