BENCH/ Presents Katazome Japanese Fashion and Traditional Dyeing Workshop at Metropolitan Museum of Manila This June
BENCH/, in partnership with The Embassy of Japan in the Philippines and The Japan Foundation, Manila, will present Threads of Dreams: Katazome Japanese Fashion and Traditional Dyeing on June 28, 2026 at The Foyer of the Metropolitan Museum of Manila.
The special event will highlight Japanese fashion, traditional dyeing practices, and the continuing role of heritage craftsmanship in contemporary design.
IMAGE from BENCH/ Instagram account
Inviting participants from leading fashion schools across the Philippines, the event serves as a meaningful platform for cultural exchange and creative learning. Through the workshop, participants will be introduced to the artistry of Katazome and the ways traditional Japanese practices continue to thrive in the modern world.
The workshop will bring together fashion practitioners from Doreme Gakuin (Dressmaker Academy) in Tokyo, offering participants a rare opportunity to engage with the techniques, philosophies, and cultural traditions that continue to shape Japanese fashion and design today. Featured practitioners include Rika Yoshinari, Kenji Ishiki, Toko Ninomiya, and Siti Ohkawa.
The event is open to everyone. While museum visitors will not be able to personally try the Katazome traditional dyeing workshop, they may watch the session from the second floor of the museum while it is ongoing. Workshop 1 and Workshop 2 will feature the same content, allowing visitors to choose from two available batches:
- Registration: 1:00 PM
- Workshop 1: 1:20 PM to 3:30 PM
- Workshop 2: 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Visitors may sign up by purchasing tickets through the Metropolitan Museum of Manila’s website. From June 12 to 30, 2026, the museum is offering special admission rates:
- General Admission: Php 300 (from Php 550)
- Seniors and PWD: Php 240 (from Php 440)
- Students: Php 150 (from Php 275)
The offer is also valid for walk-in visits, with a cut-off time of 5:30 PM.
Visitors may also catch the Threads of Dreams exhibition on the 2nd floor of the South Gallery until July 26, 2026, offering visitors another opportunity to witness the beauty and cultural depth of Japanese fashion and traditional dyeing.
Through Threads of Dreams, BENCH/, The Embassy of Japan in the Philippines, and The Japan Foundation, Manila aim to create a space where young creatives and the public can deepen their appreciation for Japanese craftsmanship and discover how cultural traditions continue to inspire the future of fashion.
