From Tokyo With Love

Linen.

Woven from flax fibers, linen is one of the oldest textiles in the world. Archaeologists have found cloth fragments dating back to 8000 BC. Dyed flax threads have even been found in a prehistoric cave and are estimated to be over 36,000 years old. Clearly linen is a fabric that is durable as well as beautiful.

Fog Linen Work is now available here at Momo. Tokyo-based designer Yumiko Sekine searched the world over, looking for the perfect place to have her linen goods fabricated. Eventually she settled on Lithuania, where linen has been woven and produced since the Middle Ages.

Smooth and cool to the touch, amazingly breathable, low-maintenance (hooray for elegantly wrinkled fabric), linen clothing is perfect for summer. Fog Linen Work creates flowing, easy to wear garments that retain a feminine sensibility without being overly fussy.

Without further ado FLW:

Gorgeous details.

Luxurious indigo tunic.

Jacket? Shirt dress? Your choice!
 

In Praise of Shorts!

“Any man may be in good spirits and good temper when he's wearing shorts.” ~misappropriated Dickens

“Shorts are a bifurcated garment worn by both men and women over their pelvic area, circling the waist, and covering the upper part of the legs.” So says Wikipedia.

We at Momo say: shorts are the greatest article of summertime clothing ever invented! They keep you cool and keep you looking cool. A practical and stylish way to stay naturally air-conditioned.

Fun, fabulous plaid.

Handsome indigo pinstripes.

Just in from NYC, the “Gibson” short made by W.R.K. clothing. 100% cotton, flat front, available in brown/orange plaid or indigo pinstripes. Fun, summery, comfortable.

The “Fitzroy” cargo short, made by Rodd&Gunn,
has flown across the ocean from New Zealand to provide the Momo Man with relaxed and functional shorts. Pigment-dyed Italian fabric and gusseted pockets ensure that you will look great and have a place to put your wallet, keys and other assorted gear while on a sunny-day outing.

Detail of the “Fitroy” zipped cargo pocket.

Also in Momo News: grab your Bermudas, your cargos, your cut-offs, your hot pants! Let them inspire you to write a Short Shorts Story on our Facebook page: MomoSeattle Facebook. Craft a short story (eight lines or less) and post it before May 23rd for a chance to win a refreshing bottle of rosé!

Retro Cool, Aloha Style

Sipping tropical drinks beneath fluttering palms, strolling on a sun-soaked beach, relaxing in stylish retro short sleeves ... Momo can provide you with one of these fantasy situations — guess which one?

Spring into the aloha vibe with our genuine Hawaiian shirts.

Since 1936, Kahala Sportswear has been producing distinctive, high-quality “Waikiki beach boy” clothing. Their fusion of playful prints and subtle colors make Kahala shirts a great match for Seattle men.

1950’s boomerangs and fish!

Vintage surfboards.

Iolani Sport in black.

IoSport, from 50-year-old family-owned Iolani, provides a brilliant mix of old and new. Mid-century modern detailing paired with antibacterial moisture-wicking fabric make these shirts practical, cutting edge and cool. A handsome stripe and embroidered Tiki head will put you in the mood for a mai tai and some 1950’s lounge music. Okole maluna!

Also in Slate blue. 

Free Size

“Free size” is what “one-size-fits-most” is called in Japan. Here at Momo, we say “It fits who it fits, how it fits ... generally great!” We do our best to provide an array of clothing that is both flattering and accommodating to a variety of body types.

Without further ado, versatile “free size” pieces.

Metalicus textured tank-dress.

AMB ballet-style top with a Metalicus skirt.

Metalicus, an Australian brand, creates clothing with a surprising amount of stretch. This black and white AMB top (paired with a Metalicus skirt) is incredibly comfortable for petite and curvy women alike. Another bonus of one-size stretch is that it makes a congenial travel companion with its easy care and wrinkle-free attitude.

Linen poncho from Kokoro.

 Fresh from Japan, Kokoro’s linen poncho. Luxurious texture and an elegant drape. Throw it on over jeans or a long simple dress and you’re ready to go. Available in Navy and Natural.

And of course the bottom-most layer — Coobie bras. Coobies have a devoted following due to their comfort, fun colors and extreme affordability. Here in MomoLand I have witnessed first-hand how a Coobie will fit everyone from the slender to the buxom. 

A rainbow of Coobies!

Promise

Every spring, a minor miracle occurs at Momo: our orchids bloom anew. Gifted to us by thoughtful customers when we opened in 2007, year ’round the tropical plants revel in the shy Seattle sun as they warm in our windows. Nurtured with reverent neglect, they reward us with brilliant blossoms that last for many weeks. Traditionally, orchids represent love and beauty, both of which we feel abundantly blessed by. We see them as symbols of perseverance and renewal — that at Momo, as we carry on, we might bring a bit of hope, happy ... and Hawai'i, into your world.

Introducing....

two brands that are new to Momo.

For Momo gentlemen: Wolf&Man. These soft 100% cotton shirts are nicely tailored for a slim fit.

For Momo ladies: Jet. A Portland-based brand that melds style with comfort.

A dress with a functional hood!

Fashionable French Versatility

Akela Key is a French clothing line hailing from Metz, France (located at the tripoint junction of France, Germany and Luxembourg). One of the primary goals of Akela Key is to create affordable, flattering and fashionable clothing for every body type.

This cardigan is a particular favorite of ours — the neutral knit allows for season and color-spanning versatility. In addition ... it can be worn “right side up” or upside down for very different looks.

$109 for all this beauty

Right side up?

Upside down?

A navy blue and ecru cotton tunic makes the spring-to-summer transition nicely. Layer it over sheer sleeves, an extra-long camisole, leggings or skinny jeans.

Freshness for $104

This gauzy, ethereal and deliciously soft cotton and silk tank is generously tailored and adorned with playful leopard print detail. Another perfect piece for layering, it floats around you like a cloud.

Light as a whisper. Shhhh!

So fun for $69

A Good Stud Is Hard to Find!

Why are hand-crafted, artful stud earrings so difficult to find?
Search for studs no more — Momo has just received a fresh batch
of delightfully creative stud earrings from Contagious of Nashville. Contagious’ (aka Ruth Zelanski) jewelry is inspired by science and nature — everything from the beautiful and bizarre Acetabularia
to molecules and mold.

Here’s a small sample of what we have!

Claws. Rowr!

Tiny sterling leaves

Acetabularia!!

“Segmentation” studs

Signed, Sealed, Delivered

It wasn’t that long ago that writing a letter — a real letter with a real pen on real paper — wasn’t considered anachronistic. In these digital times, however ... it’s a different story. Now days, it’s a rare thing for many of us to receive a letter or card (barring the obvious holiday cards, of course).

Wooster & Prince stationery

Having said that —who can deny the sudden surprise, delight and happiness that seeing a hand-written missive in the mailbox evokes? It’s like getting a little present. A thoughtful, hand-made one, at that.

teNeues card sets are too cute

Momo can help you bring a little ray of sunshine into someone’s life via a card, a note, a letter. We have an assortment of cards: letterpress by Smock, sweet sets from teNeues, stationery from Wooster & Prince as well as a wide array of single cards.

Don’t forget a pen! Sakura blossoms top these adorable ball-points: 

spring flowers bring ... love letters?

Adding a little something ‘extra’ ups the ante quite a bit. At Momo we like to embellish letters and gifts. Cute, whimsical tape? Retro french-inspired stickers? These make things pretty much instantly adorable. 

everyone loves stickers!

modes of transportation for your letter?

If the nostalgic part of you misses letter writing ... the physicality of it — the texture of the paper, the glide of a pen or the faint scratch of a pencil, the satisfaction of sealing an envelope and pressing a stamp onto its corner ... or if you simply want to brighten someone’s day, consider reviving the ancient tradition of letter-writing. 

Fresh From London and NYC

Momo is excited to inform our Dear Readers that we are now carrying work by London-based jeweler Rachel Essex. Whimsical, colorful and utterly charming, her pieces are the perfect pop of color to brighten the Seattle “neutral” wardrobe.

Rachel frequents antique fairs, flea markets and thrift shops in London and Paris in search of vintage lucite and bakelite buttons and components. As a result, many of her pieces have one-of-a-kind buttons or beads.

Rachel Essex Jewelry can be found at Anthropologie in London and at Cath Kidson ... and now Momo! She was sweet enough to customize a Momo-exclusive collection — the only of Rachel’s jewelry to be found in the US.

The sweetest cherries..

can you spy the little bunny?

Don’t fret, Momo men! We've got you covered — with our latest order of NY Hat Co. hats. The “Pub Cap” in black or brown plaid, classic canvas “Rexy,” grey plaid linen “Gatsby” or the straw “Diamond Crown.”

the already-dapper Maurice looks particularly handsome in the “Rexy”