Your Good Fortune Continues!

We have Cop-Copine knit tunic in lush blue.

The Momo Good Fortune Sale is entering its second week! You can find deeply discounted, globe-spanning fashion, including (but not limited to!) these pieces from France, Denmark, Canada and the US:

From France, Cop-Copine’s “Madec” knit tunic – available in beautiful twilight blue.

The always-classic “Alveole” scarf from Saint James features shibori-style puckers and an “easy on, easy off” design. And, it’s on Good Fortune Sale in a variety of spring-ready shades.

Straight from Denmark is the “Siv” sweater by Just Female. With simple lines and a soft grey color, it plays well with anyone in your wardrobe.






















Kamik rain boots are made in the most ethical, eco-friendly facility around. The company even asks that you return your boots when you’ve worn them out so that they can recycle them into new boots. We have them in black, cheery yellow and grey.



From less exotic locales (although some would debate that) check out this two-way zippered cardigan from Los Angeles' Damask. It’s reversible, too!

Our Momo Good Fortune Sale includes the gentlemen ... the Momo Man has many options too! Here are just a couple:

Also hailing from L.A., Z.A.K. produces well-tailored garments made from the finest textiles. We especially love the elbow patch details on the “Crawford” shirt:

 Bridge & Burn hails from Portland, OR. A small, independent company that focuses on style with a Northwest flavor, they often feature plaids or check patterns, like the one found on our “Franklin” shirt.

Come take advantage of 10% – 30% off of sale prices while you can .. cookies are crumbling fast!

Beyond Summer

Ah, linen. Woven into its flaxen fibers is the memory of sun-washed days, cool breezes and life without a wrinkle. Come summer’s end, many of us say goodbye to our linen garments, folding them away until spring springs again.

But there’s so much more to this ancient fabric that makes it wearable year ’round. In milder climates, such as Seattle, fashionable sorts look to linen for casual ease, durability and to add elegant and interesting texture to our layers of clothing. With its smooth, silken quality, linen resists stains, and is easy to clean. Anti-static and quick to warm up, it’s also ideal for days when the weather turns cold and dry. Plus, production of linen is sustainable, making it popular in this eco-chic Pacific Northwest.

A recent convert to living in linen, Momo Mama Lei Ann is tireless in her pursuit of unique, beautifully-crafted examples. And her treasure hunting has paid off in Lithuanian designer Blue Naive’s handmade-to-order simple-yet-flattering shift styles, stitched up in sumptuous linen. We’re especially tickled with the ever-practical deep front pockets featured on both of these new arrivals.

Luxurious linen “Little Summer Dress” direct from Lithuania.

“Deep Summer” linen half-sleeved shift. 

Come down and try one of these sweet frocks on — we’re sure that you will adore them as we do. And, we’ll share tips on how to utilize layering to wear them into fall and beyond ... making sure it is a long and happy love affair.

Happy Holidays, Japanese Style

For the Japan-fans on your list, Momo offers a few choice picks, both contemporary and traditional. All feature the Japanese style and quality we appreciate. For starts, add a little zip to a man’s wardrobe with our super-soft sweat jacket.

We’ve got tees to please, too, with bold graphics on back. 

And far more elegant than a sweatshirt,
yet equally comfortable is our unisex Nagomi pullover
accessorized here with a tenugui. 

For the girls, we’ve got über easy-to-wear pieces like the dramatic Flying Squirrel capelet and quirky number pants (at left) and a hooded fleece tunic (at right). Just pop it over a pair of room pants and relax.

For a nifty little gifty, how about a versatile and 100% cotton eco-chic furoshiki or tenugui? Lala brought these happy textiles back from a recent trip to Osaka.

Carried from Kyoto, pouches made from kimono fabric and obi. Beauty meets practicality in a gift more thoughtful than expensive.

Boy Meets Girl

Fresh for fall: Wolf & Man and Just Female.

Ladies first! Brand new to Momo (and to the entire U.S., in fact) is clothing from Just Female. Based out of Copenhagen, Denmark and well known throughout Scandinavia, their designs prominently feature clean lines and a minimalist aesthetic. Perfect transitional pieces for the encroaching cooler season, we think you’ll find yourselves coming back to Just Female again and again.

The “Evelyn” skirt and blouse are a heavily textured salt-and-pepper fabric that can be worn together to create the illusion of a body-skimming dress.

We are completely entranced by the saturated sea-blue color of this long knitted cardigan. Oversized with an elegant drape, this wool/mohair/blend might become your new favorite sweater.

The “Shield” moto jacket is both edgy and feminine. Supple black leather is paired with a snap-adjustable high waist to create an updated classic. Wear it over a tee and jeans or dress it up with a slim-fitting dress and boots.

From the men’s side of Momo there’s a fresh batch of one of our favorite menswear designers, Wolf & Man.  Los Angeles-based designer Brian Chan (with the assistance of his two younger brothers) crafts tailored clothing that is youthful without being trendy.

Back by popular demand is the “Blaze” vest. Perfectly mid-weight, it’s idea for doing double-duty: outer layer during milder fall days, middle layer during the cold winter months.
The “Blaze” vest is shown layered over the “Dennis” – a double gauze shirt in a blue and grey plaid. This particular fabric is known for it's excellent breathability and softness.

Another button-up Wolf and Man shirt is the “Le Blanc.” Ultra-soft brushed cotton with a micro-floral print, it’s a fun way to add a subtly playful shirt to your wardrobe.

Last but not least of the Wolf and Man collection is the “Korvis” jacket. Lightweight washed cotton in a versatile cadet blue, it’s casually chic and practical. 

Male or (Just) Female, (Wolf &) Man or Woman, our incoming fall togs have got you covered! 

Put it in Writing

“We write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospect.” Anaïs Nin

And for a place to save your thoughts, new to Momo are ‘Scandinasian’ journals from PIE Stationery of Japan.

The focus is on modern design based on Japanese tradition. Graphic illustrator Yurio Seki’s playful journals interpret Swedish style through a Japanese lens while Sou Sou’s iconic random pattern is the Kyoto kimono company’s take on western culture. Both reflect a dedication to quality, with saddle-stitched bindings, textured covers and thick cream-colored pages.

Scandinavian-inspired Japanese journals.

Saddle-stitched spines!

Pair your East-Meets-West journal with a wonderful, whimsical floaty pen! Floating Action Pens have been around since the late 1940’s – made then as now by the same small company in Sweden (the number of employees is “about twenty”). Our floaty pens feature a solemn bunny being conjured out of its hat ... sure to bring a smile to your lips as you pen your musings. 

Floating bunnies ...

If you don’t find much occasion to put pen to paper, a journal/pen combo would make a sweet and thoughtful gift for the contemplative writer in your life. 

Best from the West

Did you know that Momo sleuths the world over for treasures that are as unique and interesting as you? Sometimes we go shopping with a specific idea in mind. Sometimes we are approached by a designer whose work we fall in love with. Sometimes we fall down the rabbit hole that is the internet. However we discover new things, we are always excited to share them with you.

Today we present jewelry from the west: Western Europe and the West Coast of America.

From Stuttgart, Germany — reproduction Bakelite bangles. Made with similar weight and feel, plus impeccable attention to detail, these re-creations are fun and affordable (think less than a quarter the price of vintage Bakelite)! Carved, molded or cut-out, the 1940’s styling is forever classic. Imagine an armful in candy-colored, Art Deco shades ... what fun to stack them and hear them clank!

I

Retro cool Bakelite-inspired bangles.

Intersperse your stacked bangles with spacers. 

Another designer brand new to Momo is Portland-based Chapter. A stark contrast to the chunky retro bangles from Germany, Chapter’s jewelry is dainty and austere, with a strong focus on simple geometric shapes. Our collection of  earrings and necklaces is both elegant and versatile. These are pieces you can pair with any outfit, casual or dressy, day or night.

Symmetry and Geometry.

The daintiest pendants! 

Come in and check out these new adornments — we’ll show you how to layer them up. And from West to West, we’ll keep searching the globe for finds to bring home to Momo. Thanks for reading!

From Tokyo With Love

Fresh from Tokyo, New arrivals at Momo! 100% cotton unisex shirts and tees.

Crewz Clothing was founded in 1970 and has been crafting high-quality goods since. Crewz is best known for modernizing traditional designs, as exemplified by our unisex shirt riffing on the classic kimono. Momo has these luxuriously thick, slub-cotton tops in slate grey or a rich chocolate brown. Tie a tenegui around your neck and you’ll have a fresh take on Japanese style. 

Slub-cotton unisex shirts available in slate grey and chocolate brown.

Buden Shouten, a sportswear offshoot of Crewz, offers the same superior quality with a spin on Japanese pop culture. Playful graphics are expertly screened onto dense cotton tees. Both the front and the back of each t-shirt has a fun image or kanji.

Rei translates to “Zero” or “Nothing”

Buden Shouten graphic tees feature an array of designs.

If you love Japanese styling, traditional or modern (or a mix!) come down and try on a tee or two. See you at Momo.

Double Duty : Accessory and Art

Whidbey Islander Nan Leaman is the creator of stunning, one-of-a-kind textiles. If Rorschach had colorful dreams filled with gently repetitive shapes culled from nature, his tests might have resembled the gorgeous scarves that Nan recently delivered to Momo.

What began as an interest in textiles as a youngster evolved into a passion for the entire process — one that led to weaving and hand spinning her own wool, eventually from her own sheep! And although she no longer weaves and spins, she still maintains a flock of over 100 Old English longwool sheep.

For warmer weather, Nan switches to silk, utilizing various techniques to achieve a wide array of exotic patterns. All of her silk starts out white, a blank canvas to which she applies design and color with beautiful results.

Elegant pole-wrapped silk scarf.

Shibori, a Japanese term for a number of methods of resist-dyeing cloth, is one of Nan’s favorite techniques. Pole wrapping, an example of shibori, involves wrapping cloth around a rod or a rope prior to applying the dye. The results are almost tie-dye like, with a striping pattern.








Clamping and dyeing is another type of shibori, one which lends itself to a more geometric pattern — often circles or starbursts.

Clamping and dyeing can create circles ...

... or coffee beans!

Another approach to Nan’s art is the more organic deconstructed silk screen printing. Ever the adorable textile geek, Nan describes the rather involved procedure: “I mix dyes with sodium alginate thickener ...which I then paint right on to the silk screen. I add texture, such as string, wallpaper scraps, rubber gloves and other found items. I let the thickened dye dry on the screen. When dry, clear sodium alginate is squeegeed onto the screen to release the dye into the cloth.” From there, she steams the piece to set the color, washes it and voila! Her science project is ready to adorn the lucky wearer.

We love the vibrant and organic silk screen print. 

Nan’s enthusiasm for fiber arts is both inspirational and contagious. The next time you’re in Chinatown/International District, pop in to Momo and check out her work, we’ll have it through the summer. Perhaps you, too, will feel inspired ... and find yourself researching breeds of sheep (or silkworms)!

Out + About: Vif Wine/Coffee and Kanso Aprons

Lauren Feldman and Shawn Mead, owners of Vif Wine/Coffee

Bright. Lively. Spirited. Warm. These translations of the French word ‘Vif’ aptly describe the environment and owners of the so-named Fremont wine shop/café, opened last July. When Lauren Feldman and Shawn Mead received Momo Kanso aprons as gifts, little did they realize that the Japanese-style, no-tie bibs would become their daily uniform. According to Shawn, the comfort factor is high because “it disperses the weight across your shoulders instead of tying at the neck.” Adds Lauren, “and who doesn't love wearing a dress with their pants?”

The two first met while working at the now legendary Campagne — Lauren as the Pastry Chef and Shawn as wine director — crossing career paths many times before teaming up to open Vif. Together, they transformed a tired Herfy’s Burger and Teriyaki joint into the casual, comfortable atmosphere that reflects the refinement of their experience.

Specialty coffee from Olympia Coffee Company

Pastries are baked fresh daily, mmmmm

Neighborhood types stop in for homemade pastries and coffee-to-go, or linger over a morning entrée (Mr. Momo loved his salmon tartine, accented with shaved fennel), steamy bowl of soup, or after-work snacks accompanied by well-chosen wine, by the glass or bottle.

Take home a bottle of wine from a natural, hand-picked selection

You’ll find Lauren and Shawn wearing their Kanso aprons at Vif Wine/Coffee located at 4401 Fremont Avenue North, 206.557.7357, vifseattlecom. And you too can dress like the pros in your own Kanso apron, handmade by a bona-fide Japanese mom, available at Momo for $64.