Reinvention and transformation happen one choice at a time:

The life-changing act of giving yourself permission to do those things, wear those things, say those things and BE those things that are in alignment with who you want to be.

When you see drawers full of fabric remnants, what do you see? Something that's taking up space that could be used for something else? A sure sign of a hoarder? Useless odds and ends that should be tossed?

I look at what's inside of closed drawers in my studio as art waiting to happen. I say to myself, "Look at this fabulous silk! And this vintage kimono fabric that has never been used! These prints are gorgeous -- just imagine the combinations!"

Am I a deamer? A hoarder? A delusional artist? Maybe a little of all of those things. But, I have a vision.

Collecting and transforming these raw materials into beautiful garments is just the beginning. My bigger, more compelling vision is to help you reinvent your life and transform the way you feel about yourself when you look in the mirror. By creating garments that bring out your best features and instill confidence, I want to ignite your own vision for being the person and for living the life you have imagined. It's about more than what you wear, of course. But looking the part is a good place to start.

When I look at a pile of fabrics, my first thought is not what a sane, or normal person would think. Instead of wanting to throw it all away, I see gorgeous fabric combinations and rows of beautiful kimonos and stunning scarves. I see complete ensembles that can interchange and be combined with what you already have to create countless elevated looks.

I see garments waiting to transform how you see yourself, igniting a new confidence and a sense of being ready for anything. I see helping you envision a new identity around which you can build a more sophisticated and elevated wardrobe. Imagine not having to worry about what to wear when a special occasion comes along. As you begin to realize that you can wear your kimono with many things you already have hanging in your closet -- you begin to create some fabulous new ensembles that expand your options.

In fact, you won't have to wait for a special occasion; you can wear your kimono over your pajamas. Or, with your favorite leisure separates, cropped pants or jeans. Slipping into a flattering, comfortable and elegant kimono gives you an instant makeover that ties your look together.

Garden parties, poolside gatherings, happy hours with the girls, romantic dinners with your favorite someone -- you can even wear it to your committee meetings and those board meetings. When you're asked to make a presentation or host an event, instead of finding a reason for turning it down, you'll be ready to accept those challenges. You'll have the confidence to be the best version of yourself and look good doing it. You already have the leadership skills and have earned the respect of your peers; but just imagine how differently you would come across if you carried yourself with the easygoing elegance and relaxed confidence of a woman who is comfortable in her own skin and in love with her life.

How do you do that? Step out of your comfort zone and dress like you mean it, my friend. Slip into an elegant kimono layered over some sleek separates, add some ladylike heels and some good earrings, and you'll look and feel like a million bucks! Who knew dressing could be so easy? I promise you, you won't miss those desperate trips to the same boutique that everyone else goes to, and that never really has anything you feel good in. You won't miss being ignored by department store clerks who don't know anything about you or what looks good on you. It's time to take charge of how you present yourself to the world. Try something new; act like you are the boss. Because you are.

My customers ask me all the time, "Where do you get these gorgeous fabrics?" And I tell them that it is a quest; that I seek them out like treasure; that I've been collecting beautiful fabrics for years, and have found some good sources for vintage kimono fabric that has never been used in a garment. I know where to find beautiful silk garments that can be cut apart and used for contrasting trim. What I can't use for the kimonos, I use to make scarves and Obi belts.

Putting the fabric combinations together is my favorite thing to do, and that is what makes our products special and different from what anyone else offers.

The solid color fabrics we're using for our new Fall line are raw silk noil. My number one guiding principle is to create beautiful garments that my customers will love. But right up there at the top of my priorities is to practice sustainability. I intend to keep beautiful fabrics out of landfills by creating "slow fashion" -- timeless, sophisticated looks that will stay relevant and last for years; one-of-a-kind artisan pieces that my customers will be proud to own and wear often for years to come.

In the four years sinee I started making kimonos, our team has grown to include many professionals. Our patterns are our own designs and are professionally made. Our growing team of sewing professionals is led by a proven leader who has many years of experience. Each garment's trim features a one-of-a-kind combination of fabrics, but we have also embraced innovative standardized production processes, insuring consistency and scalability across the line. We've perfected and tweaked our designs to fit and flatter, refining the details that result in the high quality garments that our customers have grown to expect.

This Fall we will be introducing coordinating pants in two or three styles that can be mixed and matched to create complete ensembles. We also are adding a smaller size for our more slim and petite customers.

We have some more suprises coming, which we will be telling you about soon. In the meantime, enjoy your summer! Clean out your closet to make room for the new things that you are going to want to invest in this fall. Read a book you've been wanting to read. Get that grill going. Take those walks by the river. Go on those weekend road trips. Get in touch with long lost friends.

Reinvention and transformation happen one choice at a time. Give yourself permission to do those things, wear those things, say those things and BE those things that you know you are. We're all waiting to see the real you. Have fun with it, and I'll see you in September!

New Styling Stories from J.Mullin Apparel

Introducing "A Kimono Kind of Day" Series:

Stories featuring a day in the life of an accomplished fashion-loving woman who wears kimonos for everything. From morning to night we'll see how each character moves through her day and all of the amazing looks she wears as she comes and goes from her lovely home taking care of business and all of the things that accomplished fashion-loving women do.

Today we have two Episodes:

Carly - Embracing Change:

The head buyer of womens' clothing for a national retail department store, Carly has just moved to the affluent suburbs. She works at home and commutes to her job in the city once or twice a week. We follow her through a day of adapting to her new lifestyle.

Grace - the Art of Living:

An interior designer who works from her beautifully decorated home applies her aesthetic for combining patterns, colors and textures in every aspect of her life -- decorating, of course, but also her own artwork, how she dresses and even how she puts a salad together. We see her world through her eyes as she moves through her day.

Our photo shoots were so much fun. We've built a fabulous team of creative people, and can't get enough of creating these characters and seeing the world through their eyes.

I hope you enjoy these little stories, and imagine yourself in one of our fabulous kimono looks!

Just click on the covers and enlarge to full screen to be able to read the stories.

Booklet #1:

Styling: Amani Skalacki

@amani.style.kc

Model: Amanda Para

@amandatheraye

Photography: Jerame Gray

@j.gray.films

Hair and Make-up: Allie J.

@slowdownskincare

Booklet #2:

Styling: Amani Skalacki

@amani.stylekc.

Model: Heather Slusher

@voicesandmodel

Photographer: Janie Jones

@uncommon.j

Videographer: Taylor Snyder

@Taylor'd Co.

Hair: Maddie Freyre

@hairbymaddie

Make-up: Allie J.

@slowdownskincare

Let us know what you think of our stories. We hope you got some ideas for how you might wear one of our kimonos with pieces from your own wardrobe.

Our website has just been updated to include our new mini-collection of one-of-a-kind kimonos in four trending classic solid colors of raw silk. These pieces are a step-up in luxurious fashion. Each piece is trimmed with a one-of-a-kind combination of curated fabrics including vintage kimono fabric and even leather and suede on some pieces. Featured in the Carly story, these pieces are fully lined and are offered in jacket, tunic and robe lengths in two inclusive sizes: S/M and M/L, which fit women sized S through XXL. We are making more of these raw silk pieces for the Fall season.

To shop kimonos go to https://www.jmullin.com

RESORT '24

A Season of Renewal and Transformation

Choosing to elevate your life feels almost as good as sunlight on your face.

The word resort conjures up visions of getting away to a luxurious, beautiful place that involves relaxation and pampering. Just imagining the warmth of the sun on our skin feels us with longing. Especially to those of us who love fashion, resort season is about living a luxurious life and wearing elegant, flowing garments. We love to see the new resort collections from the fashion industry and imagine ourselves lounging by the pool or dining under the stars looking and feeling glamorous and pampered.

Ironically, the word resort can also mean settling for something that wouldn’t be our first choice. We resort to something as a way to resolve a less-than-desirable situation.  But, having to resort to enjoying a cozy winter at home doesn’t have to be a time of dismal survival. The short, quiet days and long, dark nights of winter are the perfect opportunity for bringing more luxury and elegance into our lives.

Fire and Ice.

The beauty of winter is often found in its contrasts. When set against an icy background, your colorful personality sizzles like fire.

You’ve found the magic formula of sparkle and grace; elegance and ease.

The winter months do not have to be a suspension in time. Instead of resorting to merely getting through it while you put your life on hold, use these next few months as an opportunity to add more of a resort feeling into your life. It can be a time of living with more intention; a time of renewal; a time to reconnect to yourself and to what’s important to you, including the people in your life.

Timeless Elegance.

A bubbly combination of sparkle and grace, you bring the sizzle of style to the party.

Steering your own ship as you always have, with a timeless elegance that never gets old.

Winter is when unexpected growth occurs. It’s when connections are made; ideas marinate and wait for the right time to bloom. The journey is just as life-changing as the destination. It all begins when you give yourself the luxury of adding more of what you love into your life.

Light some candles, host an intimate dinner party, attend an art gallery exhibit, go hear some live music, create a charcuterie board and enjoy a cocktail in front of your own fireplace at home. Make a big pot of minestrone and invite some friends over for the evening. Allow yourself regular pampering spa treatments and massages. All of these things give you something to look forward to as you’re walking your dog on those dark, cold mornings.

In your Element

You find the environment that brings out your best. Sometimes you want to stand out; other times you prefer to blend in.

Embrace your contradictions. It’s what makes you interesting.

What you wear is a reflection of how you want to show up in your life. Dress like you want to feel. Relaxing by the fire wearing something flowing and pretty feels so much more luxurious than wearing what you’ve had on all day. Hosting an intimate dinner party wearing an elegant kimono over your classic separates elevates the event to a new level of sophistication. Attending a play or live concert wearing a stunning statement piece adds a layer of luxury to the whole experience.

Whether you’re one of the lucky ones who gets to enjoy an exotic getaway this winter, or are choosing to enjoy a cozy season at home, make it a season of renewal and transformation by bringing elements of luxury and elegance into your life.

NEW!

WINTER/RESORT '24 STYLING GUIDE

Get some great ideas for how to elevate your winter style with our new styling guide. Whether you are traveling to a resort or staying at home, you can add a new layer of elegance to your wardrobe. Our new stying guide will show you how to pair a J. Mullin Apparel kimono with your existing wardrobe as well as with the latest looks in boutiques.

DOWNLOAD OUR STYLING GUIDE HERE:

Resort '24 Styling Lookbook.pdf

Download PDF • 37.82MB