There's nothing better than getting creative — and happy — with someone you love. The joy is infectious!
And no one knows that better than textile artist and Instagrammer Chinami Mori. Together with her 93-year-old grandmother, Emiko, Chinami has recently flooded the internet with color and love.
It's not news that seniors can be just as fun and cool as young folk — like Baddie Winkle, the sassy, trendy grandmother who took over Instagram.
But, as Emiko proves, our elders are sometimes even cooler than the younger generation!
And cooler still? The fashions she's modeling — namely bright, bubbly scarves — are handmade by her granddaughter.
Chinami creates her scarves using a Japanese weaving technique called saori, a free-form style that allows the weaver to use all kinds of different yarns and fabrics to make eclectic and colorful creations.
And when Chinami is done, Emiko puts on the new scarf and steps in front of the camera to share them with the world!
Check out this intergenerational team below, and the next time you have the urge to create something and share it on social media, consider bringing in a loved one of any age!
(H/T: My Modern Met)
Chinami creates her scarves using all kinds of yarn, string, and fabric for a strikingly eclectic look full of different colors and textures.
She can be found at her loom in her studio most days, creating new pieces. She likes the saori form of weaving because it's a free, open style, and she can express herself however she chooses.
"There are no rules," Chinami says of saori, "I can weave as freely and as colorfully as I want."
Accompanying her in the studio to see her weaving in action is Chinami's grandmother, Emiko.
Soon, Chinami realized that the perfect model for her creations was right in front of her!
As soon as Chinami started posting images of Emiko on Instagram, her followers clamored for more.
Emiko's bright personality, sense of humor, and great style are immediately charming — she looks like someone you'd want to hang out with!
Emiko pairs the scarves with complementing outfits, and strikes a lot of fun poses.
Her happiness is infectious. You can't look at her and not smile a little.
And the best part for both of them is that they can spend time together, get creative, and share it with the world.
Saori weaving was developed in the early 20th century in Japan by a woman named Misao Jo, who wanted to use weaving as a personal art form, free of the constraints of traditional weaving.
The weaving style has its roots in Zen Buddhist philosophy, and celebrates a "beauty with lack of intentions."
It celebrates irregularities and imperfections as unique and special, and as individual as the person who made it and the person who wears it. In this case, it's an expression of both Chinami and Emiko.
The philosophy behind the weaving is a great way to think about people, too.
They're unique and no two are alike, and though they may be flawed, their imperfections make them who they are.
And there are infinite possibilities!
Sometimes Chinami gets in on the modeling, too, and we can see where she gets her smile from!
"She's my favorite person in the whole world," Chinami says of Emiko.
And she enjoys having her grandmother keep her company in the studio, too. "I make Grandma happy, and that's just so much fun for me, too."
You can see much more of this fun, creative pair on Chinami's Instagram, as well as more images of Chinami's colorful weaving projects. We highly recommend it!
Let Chinami and Emiko inspire you to get creative with your family, young and old, and SHARE to inspire others to so the same!
