The kimono, which means ‘thing to wear’ in Japanese, can be traced back to Japan's Heian period, over 1,000 years ago, and its status has changed a lot over time.

Featuring natural and seasonal motifs, as well as customs and folkways, the rich colors of the kimono have reflected the beauty of Japan and shown the aesthetics of people through different times.

A native Briton spends nearly 365 days of the year wearing kimono, even though daily use of the traditional Japanese clothing is on the decline among modern Japanese fashionistas. Sheila Cliffe ...