Kimono Summer Design Contest

I've been away from dA for a while, so I thought it'd be fun to get back into it with a contest! Good luck if you enter!

Whether you've only seen kimono in anime or worn them yourself, why not try designing one? I'm looking for summer themes, and there will be prizes for the winners!

Prizes:

1st Place: An interview with you about your design, your art, and your interest in kimono, to stay up for 1 month on my dA account, and will also be posted on my blog The Kimono Lady ([link]). You'll also receive a postcard featuring a maiko (apprentice geisha), and a yummy Japanese snack or two for your next art all-nighter.

2nd and 3rd Place: A postcard featuring a maiko (apprentice geisha).

All winners will also receive a quilter's mini-scrap pack of 3 small kimono pieces, courtesy of Kyoto Kimono ([link]).

How Do I Enter?

1. Go download the template here.

2. You can print it out and do your design by hand, or do everything digitally, or a mix.

Remember to fill in the lining color that would be inside the kimono, four colors you think would look good for an obi (belt) to match your kimono, and write in the words or ideas that inspired you for your look. You can also find a sample entry below.

[link]

3. Upload your entry to your dA account, including a link back to the contest, and note me to let me know it's up.

4. All entries must be received by midnight EST July 11th, 2010.

Rules:

1. Kimono must be summer-themed or inspired. Symbols of summer outside of Japan are ok.
2. No slapping photographs into the template: this must be something you could feasibly dye or paint onto a kimono.
3. No clone-stamping already-existing kimono patterns into the template. Pattern and/or drawings must be your own!

Judging:

I will put up the finalists for vote for one week, and then choose the 1st place winner myself from the top three. Please feel free to tell your friends about the contest, but do not say "Go vote for me."

Get Inspired!

Furisode, the kimono featured in this contest, are long-sleeved kimono worn only by young, unmarried women and maiko (apprentice geisha). Search Google Images, Ebay or Flickr for "furisode", and good luck!