August 21, 2011

Welcome to Ziguzagu: In My City

Welcome to Ziguzagu here in my City of Melbourne. Even if you only have one day to spend in Melbourne a visit to Ziguzagu is a must! Kazari is the parent company of Ziguzagu. They are 3 branches in Melbourne in the Richmond area. Ziguzagu is the warehouse where you can find vintage kimono fabric both in silk and indigo cotton, floor cushions, and bolts of silk for dyeing. The other half of the warehouse is for the restoration of Japanese antique furniture. Being a newcomer to Melbourne, I stumbled onto Ziguzagu by chance when I overheard some ladies talking about it in a gallery. I have been back there so many times since. I got to know everyone who works there in both the warehouse and Ziguzagu. They are so friendly and helpful. I love how they just leave you to roam around all day if you wish. I can easily spend 2-3 hours looking around every time I go there. I rummage through the scrap bins,  rolls of vintage kimono fabric and garments spread all over the giant warehouse. To me Ziguzagu has more Japanese kimono fabric under one roof than the whole of Japan. Of course if you are only a visitor to Japan you don't know where other treasures are hiding. I just love the way everything is displayed for easy reach. You have to be able to feel and touch them to appreciate them! 


The lovely Kate Collins is one of the ladies who works there 3 days a week including Saturday. Kate has studied textiles at RMIT so she knows a lot about Japanese fabric and textiles. Kate has also studied indigo dyeing, shibori and natural dyes. She is so generous with her textile knowledge. I have learned a lot by just talking to her. I really do believe that textile lovers are the friendliest people. We do speak the same textile language...!


The reception area of Ziguzagu. This is where the newly arrived books and knick knacks are on display. I just realized that I didn't look at the new books when I was there today. That is an excuse to go back there again soon. 


This is one of the BORO cloths hanging on the wall. There is more of a collection of BORO cloths here than anywhere else I have seen in Japan! I hope one day I will find my very own BORO cloth from one of the trip to Japan.


Jacky and Lee were searching for just the right piece. You do carry around a few rolls with you while looking. Jacky didn't actually get much this time. You are very restrained today Jacky. The fabric on display is colour coordinated in these lovely baskets as well. 


This basket is full of indigo and shibori fabric. I would have happily brought home everything in there (sigh)....!


There is quite a selection of vintage kimonos and yukatas for you to choose from. I did all my kimono shopping a few years ago. I bought a couple of hoaries which I wear often over my jeans. 


Trust Lee our stylist interior decorator spotted a set of three framed pieces of vintage indigo fabric. Before we were even halfway through our search she was already walking back to the car with them. Lee even has a wall waiting at home for them. It's handy having a clever builder as a husband.


As you enter the warehouse there is an information table on the left and on there the lovely Kate has kindly displayed the Japanese Textile Study Tour brochures for us. Thanks Kate your help is really appreciated here. BTW Kate, you look cool in that outfit. The indigoish blue scarf looks great on you! 

After a couple of hours at Ziguzagu we headed to Kazari Cafe only 5 mins drive from there. I had made a booking for Jacky, Lee and I to have a delicious Japanese lunch. We have heard that there is a new chef, Toshio Aihara with 20 years experience in Japanese cuisine, so we couldn't wait to try his food. I will have to continue about Kazari Cafe in the next post. Thanks for visiting and I would love to hear from you.


Enjoy!
Nat



20 comments:

Simone de Klerk said...

Gulp! This must have been a delicious day for you, Nat, to be surrounded by so much beauty and such friendly people!

Anonymous said...

Comments are working again Nat!!!! It was a lovely "Japanese" inspired day. Lots of bargains to be had at ZZ....I was very happy with all my buys, especially all those from the scrap bins at $2.50 per metre!!! Bargains to be had.
The pictures Lee bought are wonderful. I would love them in my home too!
Japanese lunch was yummy, reminded me of a dish my mother made for me when I was a little girl.
Lovely to spend the day with you and having some more fabric for my stash.

Jacky xox

Bev C said...

Hello Nat,

This place sounds like your second home. You missed out on the books!!! A definite reason to have another visit. Thanks for sharing your day.
Bev.xoxo

Terry said...

I'm sure it was a Nat special tour. Intriguing fabric and exotic lunch . All with friends so cool

Lis Harwood said...

When I eventually visit Melbourne I'm going to be heading here for sure!

Marie said...

I think this place is "cloth heaven"! : )
Fabulous. Thank you for sharing. I would love to walk through the store
and see/touch all the beautiful fun fabrics.
You are a good tour guide. Look forward to hearing about the lunch.
<3

Astrid said...

Oh Nat, what a place of treasures! I'm sure I had spent hours there too! Thanks for sharing!

deanna7trees said...

oh how i wish i could zap myself over there for the day. i wonder if there are places like that anywhere in the US. i will have to do some searching.

Queen Of The Armchair aka Dzintra Stitcheries said...

Yes Nat you will definitely have to go back now...looking forward to seeing the food!!! Have a wonderful week...Dzintra

Kitiya Palaskas said...

I want to go here one day!

Els said...

Think you had a great day, Nat!

Janet said...

What a loevly place to visit, I would have loved to have seen the Boro up close.

Anonymous said...

I always want to visit you. You've such an amazing group of talented ladies, you coupled with my aussie blog friend jeana, make me want to become aussie one day....:) love to you nat! have a fabulous day!

Peggy said...

Oh, Nat, this was wonderful. You even somehow make me think there's a chance I'll be coming there. I was thinking as I read this, OK, I'm going there for sure when I make it to Australia...but hey, who knows? This is such an amazing place. I wonder why there just isn't anything even close to this in the States. I wonder if there's an on-line shop for Ziguzagu, I will look. xo

Lee said...

Hi Nat, I think you captured our day out beautifully. It was such fun spending the day with you and Jacky fossicking for textile treasures. We must do it again soon. Lee xx

Heather said...

Looks like heaven!! Thanks for the tour.

Kim said...

Oh my goodness I'd love to have a day in there!
What fun!

Happy Sewing and shopping :0)

apiecefullife said...

I have just stumbled across your wonderful blog! I love Ziguzagu and have been collecting from them for some time.
You might like to see my quilts?
http://www.youtube.com/user/apiecefullife?feature=mhee

Queen of the Tea Cosies said...

Nat. I lost you off my list of blogs when I redirected things to my website. Damn. And now I was looking through my inbox emails and found your email about your tour next year and so came on over here to find all the fab fab stuff. Better rejig my blog roll to never miss your posts again.

I think I must have lost some followers in the web wash up too but oh well.
I will be in Melbourne in 2 weeks to holiday with a girlfriend of over 30 years. Will put ziguzagu on the must do list.

Loani

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