BY KIRIN ユニコーン

Fashion as Wearable Art

At EIGHT, we believe that the most compelling brands are not created to follow trends—they emerge from a personal vision. BY KIRIN is one of them.

Founded by designer and creative art director Kirin, the Kraków-based label reimagines the traditional Japanese kimono as contemporary wearable art. Rather than treating the kimono as a historical garment, BY KIRIN transforms it into a timeless, functional object that exists somewhere between fashion, art and sculpture.

The story of the brand began with a visit to the Manggha Museum of Japanese Art and Technology in Kraków. Encountering a collection of traditional kimonos became a defining moment, inspiring a creative direction that soon evolved into a distinctive design language rooted in craftsmanship, individuality and artistic freedom.

Every BY KIRIN piece is produced locally in Kraków in collaboration with experienced artisans. Working exclusively with carefully selected deadstock fabrics, the brand embraces a slow fashion philosophy—creating garments that are made to endure rather than respond to seasonal cycles.

The result is a collection of unisex, one-size garments, where the clothing adapts to the individual rather than the individual adapting to the clothing. Each piece is conceived as a singular work, shaped by texture, movement and emotion.

In Japanese mythology, Kirin is a rare and mystical creature that appears only when something extraordinary is about to happen. The name reflects the philosophy behind the brand: rarity, authenticity and the belief that clothing can become a deeply personal form of expression.

Beyond fashion, Kirin extends this vision through Act BY KIRIN Foundation, supporting emerging artists and cultural initiatives in Kraków. It is another reflection of a practice where creativity is understood not only as aesthetics, but as meaningful action.

At EIGHT, BY KIRIN naturally becomes part of a wider conversation between fashion, art and ideas. Its garments are not designed simply to be worn—they invite a different way of thinking about clothing: as an extension of identity, craftsmanship and creative freedom.

We invite you to discover the world of BY KIRIN at EIGHT.

Where fashion, art and ideas meet.