
German-born Tokyo designer Anji Salz wows with this home-made Space Invaders kimono, and she’ll show you how to make your very own, too!
Space Invaders was one of the first ever modern video games. Released in 1978, the Japanese arcade game has since become a pop cultural icon. So, what better home for the retro game’s cute pixelated mascot than printed onto another retro icon – a Japanese kimono!
That’s apparently the idea that popped into the head of German-born, Harajuku-based designer, fashion fanatic and self-professed kimono addict Anji Salz, who, equipped with her innate design talents, set about building the wicked cool garment by Frankensteining together two monochromatic kimonos into one katamigawari two-tone kimono. She then printed on a bunch of cool, Space Invaders patterns and, voila! The Space Invaders kimono was born.
すごい着物を着てる人がいたので、思わず声をかけて写真撮らせてもらった。髪の毛を緑色に染めた20代くらいのドイツの方。自分でデザインしたそうな。いやあ、すごいな。。 pic.twitter.com/3FTGkMIFpv
— matida194 (@matidanaruse) June 24, 2016
And this cool summer garment isn’t just a flimsy prop, either; Anji Salz actually came onto our radar after we saw a Japanese Twitter user post a photo of Salz sporting the kimono out on the town.
Not only that, but if you’re dying to have one to show off yourself, Salz has a detailed blog post with step-by-step instructions for making your very own. It even looks relatively easy!
I would have tried my hand at it and shared the results in this post, but my editor thinks I’m a liability around sharp objects like scissors and needles.
You can find Anji’s blog post on crafting your own Space Invaders kimono right here, with both Japanese and English text.
Source: Anji Salz
Images: Anji Salz, matidaruse@Twitter




Country kimono! Project completes set of over 200 designs for every nation at Tokyo Olympics【Pics】
Japanese sailor suit school uniform gets an upgrade with traditional kimono details
This Tokyo kimono and Tokyo Tower-view cafe experience will keep you cool in more ways than one
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
End of a manga era as Weekly Shonen Jump’s circulation drops under one million
Anime fan in Japan arrested for ordering and cancelling over 4.3 billion yen in anime merch
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Starbucks Japan teams up with Traveler’s Company for new stationery and goods collection
Beautiful Totoro bonsai figure needs no watering, makes soothing rain showers whenever you want
7-Eleven Japan rethinks convenience store drinks with new Grilled Corn Chilled Soup Smoothie
Kochia calling: Right now is a great off-season season to visit this beautiful Japanese park
Japanese convenience store Lawson now has stir-fried noodle-cooking robot chefs
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Tokyo’s newest viral dessert is like a Japanese parfait inside a bread bun [Taste test]
Japanese vending machine sells freshly squeezed lemon juice with a futuristic light show
7-Eleven Japan adds new chocolate fruit gummies to its sweets range, but are they worth the hype?
Studio Ghibli’s No Face twirls to sound of Spirited Away’s theme song in beautiful accessory box
Starbucks Japan opens new store inside historic seaside quarantine station near Tokyo
Live-action Princess Mononoke is coming to streaming as a live event, previews look amazing [Video]
Pokémon comes to McDonald’s Japan for new Happy Meals toys, brings every generation’s starters
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Family Mart opens new “Famima” flagship store in Tokyo that’s like a tourist attraction
Uniqlo looks back to the very start of Pokémon with new black-and-white pixel art T-shirts[Pics]
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】