Behind the Design
Founder & Designer
OTsukiyo is a one-woman studio founded by Sarah Armstrong — a love labour in reshaping forgotten cloth into new forms.
In 2015, I said goodbye to my Australian life to join my husband in Japan, first in Tokyo and later in Aomori, a region known for its snow and apples. The slower rhythm of rural life, its traditional craftsmanship, and its reverence for natural materials became the grounding influence for O Tsukiyo.
It was here, amidst the changing northern seasons, that I first came upon forgotten kimono cloth: quiet in its refinement, intricate in detail, and rich with visible history. Drawing on my background in fashion design and a deep respect for the tactile language of textiles and nature, I began exploring how these storied fabrics could be reimagined for modern life.
Inspired by the eco practices of Edo Japan — a time when beauty and sustainability coexisted — each piece honours the artistry of the past while embracing a gentler way of living.
O Tsukiyo is a dialogue between past, present, and future, spoken through cloth with history.
