Launched in 2013, Chi-Ka is a Dubai-based kimono abaya brand by husband and wife Nemanja Valjarevic and Nina Trojanovic, both originally from Belgrade, Serbia. During a trip to Japan, the couple was drawn to the traditional kimono and later discovered parallels between the Arab and Japanese cultures in terms of dressing.
The brand’s high-profile clientele ranges from royals to socialites in the Gulf. Here, Nouriah Al Shatti speaks to the creative couple to learn more about their love for Japan and Chi-Ka’s made-to-measure kimono abayas.
ON THEIR LOVE FOR JAPAN
Our relationship with this fascinating country began when we traveled to Japan to explore a new culture and search for fine art. After spending a month visiting the islands, the mountains, the large cities, and small towns, the experience left a deep mark on us. During our trip, we were captivated by the kimono and its craftsmanship, which led us to playing around with the idea of reinterpreting the kimono with the classic abaya. This opened up a treasure box and we found multiple similarities between the two garments. We appreciate beautiful things and this developed into something that gave us a reason to stay connected to Japan. This is our way of bringing the art of kimono making into the spotlight, through our small and precious collections of 25 pieces.
ON THE PARALLELS BETWEEN ABAYAS AND KIMONOS
Considering that the classic black abaya has a modest silhouette, we realized that Japanese traditional culture dresses the female figure in a similar manner; form-fitting clothing is not really encouraged. Furthermore, the black kimonos, which are worn for special occasions, embody Khaleeji modesty, femininity, and luxury.
ON “ABAYAFYING” THE KIMONO
There are differences in the way an abaya is worn when compared to the kimono. We customize it by creating longer sleeves to give more wrist coverage and adjust the shape and the length. Traditionally, a kimono is worn with an obi (a stuffed wide sash), which helps to create an almost boy-like silhouette. With Chi-Ka abayas, we deconstruct the obi and add buttons or pair the kimono with a belt to make it more feminine.
ON EXCLUSIVITY
No two Chi-Ka kimono abayas are alike. Each garment in our collection is special, unique, and a one-off. We customize every single piece at the request of our clients.
ON CUSTOMIZATIONS AND DETAILS
A single, one-of-a-kind kimono abaya takes around three to four months to make. Our kimono abayas are hand-sewn, and feature hand-painted and hand-embroidered details created by a Japanese master in Japan. The kimono is predominantly made there [Japan], but the essentials, like the fit and length, are done when we sit with individual clients. Customers don’t choose the artwork; we let the artist decide.
ON THE NAME CHI-KA
It’s a combination of two Japanese words; “chi” represents the element earth and “ka” means fire. The combination of these two elements was quite interesting, with earth representing stability and confidence, and fire signifying drive and passion. People do interpret it differently however, some refer to it as “chica,” which means “girl” in Spanish while some Arab women interpret it as “sheikha.”
ON THE CHI-KA WOMAN
Our customers are high-profile women; royals, socialites, and female entrepreneurs—strong, bold women who are not afraid to make a statement. Since our pieces are not your typical abayas, especially with the large artwork, the person wearing a Chi-Ka creation is going to get noticed—the kimono abaya is a conversation starter. You need a certain personality to be able to pull that off and to be comfortable.
ON OPENING THE FIRST CHI-KA GALLERY
We are opening a shop in Alserkal Avenue where we will hold our events and activities with a focus on Japan—from the architecture to a dedicated space for curated Japanese-inspired artwork to complement the kimono abayas. We don’t see this space as just a regular retail store; it’s more of a kimono gallery.
We chose Alserkal Avenue as the location because it’s a little bit hidden away. We want our clients to feel like they’ve stumbled across something that’s highly unique and not many people know about—like a hidden gem. Another reason is that it’s a creative zone with both cultural and social benefits. For our brand, we want to create an experience and share the knowledge and culture of Japan that we learned about and fell in love with.
