You may have seen Lea Ditson’s frocks at the symphony or opera,
but her mother-of-the-bride and wedding dress designs have been winning over Californians
who want custom made-to-order gowns.
Ditson, who has been in the business for over 20 years,
First, the client tries on different styles of dresses to see what suits her body the best,
looks at swatches of fabric the designer imports from Italy and France,
and discusses what type of wedding, formal or casual, outdoors or in - the event will be.
Lea listens to her clients and has some kind of 6th sense
when it comes to body types and knowing what will look amazing on them
charming shop in San Anselmo, California
The OBIKO boutique sold beautiful Japanese-inspired clothing that resemble works of art.
One-of-a-kind wearable art with a Japanese flair is the specialty at Obiko,
was a small gallery west of Union Square.
The owner, Sandra Sakata, sold clothes created exclusively by what she called "my repertory company,"
a group of 100 artists, mostly from the Bay Area,
who created clothing and accessories in response to themes chosen by Ms. Sakata.
Subjects ranged from "black and white environments" to "African ethnic" motifs, to Asian Sophistication.
Sandra Sakata, born in Watsonville, California, is an American fashion designer.
As one of the originators of the Art to wear fashion movement, her boutique, Obiko,
founded in the mid 1970's, featured one-of-a-kind designs of mostly local designers.
She inspired these designers to produce jewelry, hand knits, woven fabrics,
and hand-dyed silks inspired by ethnic influences worldwide that are symbolic of the art-to-wear movement.
These designs were included at the flagship store, located on Sutter Street near Union Square.
Later, Obiko expanded to New York City. Some of their creations are now in museums. The boutique closed in 1997.
LEA DITSON was one of OBIKO's original discoveries.
Here is a 3 Piece Ensemble of Beautiful Jacquard Silks.
There is a juxtaposition of the Solid Colors & Hand Dyed & Pieced together to create the most amazing Coat
This Kimono Coat is Completely reversible using the same exact fabrications in a play of Dark Moss Green and Aubergine
The Trouser & Top are a lush Aubergine
The top is cut on a bias and is made from Silk Satin Charmeuse
Trousers are the exact same color but in a matching matte silk
Pants have an Elastic Waistline with no pleating just a soft shirring from the waistband
The Trousers have an elastic waist that stretches from 25" to about 40"
44" Hipline with hidden pockets in the side seam
Inseam 31 1/2" and slightly pegged at the ankle, made to rest at the ankle
13" Rise
Total length of the Pant is 41 1/2"
No Sizing Tag - This should fit between an 8-12 with elan!
The top is exactly the Satin Charmeuse in the same dye lot as the trouser
Vee Neckline
Long Sleeves that emanate from the body of the top
This is cut on a bias so it does have some stretch to it.
25" Long from shoulder to hemline
Bustline is stretchy and is at least 40"
Hemline is 40"
24" Long sleeve that narrows toward the wrist
The Kimono Coat is what pulls the outfit together and has such striking amazing style that even now
It takes my breath away!
It is totally reversible and amazing whichever way you decide to wear it.
Kimono Shape
There are several fabrications involved in the piecing together of this spectacular Coat
The fabrication of the Top is used as the basis of the coat in the matching Aubergine Charmeuse Color & Material
This is accented with a Moss Green silk in the Cabbage Rose Jacquard
that is used as 2" edging
around the neckline and front pieces of the coat
When worn on the Moss Green Jacquard Side - All of the drama comes out
The combination of the colors is subtle and amazing
The Aubergine circling the armholes and sides of the Coat with a 4" Stripe
Even the Moss Jacquard is pieced and stitched together like a very subtle jigsaw puzzle
This is magical fashion at its absolute best!
The Moss Green side is also the Cabbage Rose Jacquard pattern and is trimmed only with the solid Aubergine
The Aubergine side does not feature the inlays of extra color or fabrications, it is the simpler version.
The Kimono Sleeves are open beneath the sleeve so you can choose how to wear it
Will look great sashed or belted
Slits on each side from Hemline to beneath the sleeve
The coat is the only piece that does not have a label so you can easily make this reversible.
The beauty is in the juxtaposition of hues of Color, Patterns and Shape
The Varied Patterns are clearly hand stitched together
The entire Coat is totally hand made and hand finished.
This is ONE-OF-A-KIND and ART TO WEAR
Kimono - Shoulder to hemline is approximately 41"
Front Panels are each 17 1/2" Wide
Back is 37" Wide
Circumference is 72"
Dropped Shoulder and Sleeves are approximately 17" Long
This Ensemble is from an estate, where the owner was a huge fan of OBIKO and Sandra Sakata
Her clothes included tastes from many of the designers including Charles & Patricia Lester
Marian Clayden and Alex and Lee.
This appears to be in perfect unused vintage condition.
It is freshly dry cleaned
Retail was about $4,800.00
The Kimono Coat is what pulls the outfit together and has such striking amazing style that even now
It takes my breath away!
It is totally reversible and amazing whichever way you decide to wear it.
Kimono Shape
There are several fabrications involved in the piecing together of this spectacular Coat
The fabrication of the Top is used as the basis of the coat in the matching Aubergine Charmeuse Color & Material
This is accented with a Moss Green silk in the Cabbage Rose Jacquard
that is used as 2" edging
around the neckline and front pieces of the coat
When worn on the Moss Green Jacquard Side - All of the drama comes out
The combination of the colors is subtle and amazing
The Aubergine circling the armholes and sides of the Coat with a 4" Stripe
Even the Moss Jacquard is pieced and stitched together like a very subtle jigsaw puzzle
This is magical fashion at its absolute best!
The Aubergine side does not feature the inlays of extra color or fabrications, it is the simpler version.
The Kimono Sleeves are open beneath the sleeve so you can choose how to wear it
Will look great sashed or belted
Slits on each side from Hemline to beneath the sleeve
The coat is the only piece that does not have a label so you can easily make this reversible.
The beauty is in the juxtaposition of hues of Color, Patterns and Shape
The Varied Patterns are clearly hand stitched together
The entire Coat is totally hand made and hand finished.
This is ONE-OF-A-KIND and ART TO WEAR
Kimono - Shoulder to hemline is approximately 41"
Front Panels are each 17 1/2" Wide
Back is 37" Wide
Circumference is 72"
Dropped Shoulder and Sleeves are approximately 17" Long
This Ensemble is from an estate, where the owner was a huge fan of OBIKO and Sandra Sakata
Her clothes included tastes from many of the designers including Charles & Patricia Lester
Marian Clayden and Alex and Lee.
This appears to be in perfect unused vintage condition.
It is freshly dry cleaned
Retail was about $4,800.00
