Japanese elegance – Kimonos from the Meiji & Heisei Era (1868-2019)
ESMOD DUBAI:3rd March 2023
Workshop & Exhibition
Biography Corentin De Sade
Corentin de Sade works on various subjects related to Asian art and expertise.
He specialized in the study of textiles, and particularly in Japanese kimonos.
After studying at the École du Louvre and the Sorbonne University, and after a passage through the world of the art market and Parisian museums, he now devotes himself to the study, analysis and promotion of textiles to the public.
During his schooling he was able to dedicate himself to the study of Asian arts and its influences within the West, as well as to the study of technical means of analysis and modeling of textile works.
To illustrate this, he has produced several research papers, notably devoted to French Japanese inspired creations as well as 3D imaging techniques and structural analysis of Japanese textiles.
This passion for Asian art and especially for Japanese textiles is not recent. Indeed, Corentin has been interested in kimonos for several years, particularly through his own collection of textiles.
This collection is made up of more than 200 different kimonos, dating from the 16th to the 21st century, with the centerpieces being sumptuous Kabuki, Nō and Kagura theater costumes from the Edo period, as well as important wedding kimonos.
Added to this is a large set of textile samples and means of production such as hundreds of old stencils as well as preparatory drawings coming from the workshops of master craftsmen from all over Japan.
It is on this collection that he relies directly for his research, in particular, within the framework of a thesis project on the question of techniques, fibers and rare materials used in the creation of kimonos, such as the Bashofu (banana fiber) or the Minomushi (a rare wild silk, used either raw or in the form of an extremely refined silk marquetry).
It is this same collection that serves as his main support when he works with institutions such as the Sorbonne University, the Quai Branly Museum, and recently ESMOD Dubai, or with private collectors, in order to popularize his knowledge and convey his passion for art and Japanese textile design.
For this purpose, he collaborates regularly with master craftsmen who create kimonos and textile collectors, directly on site, in several regions of Japan.
