about

BARA BARA SOFT WARES is a fiber arts-based project that arose out of an impulse to explore the interplay between textiles, cultural identity, and the body via slow-making processes that contradict the neoliberal globalized apparel circuit. BARA BARA—a Japanese adjective that describes the state of being in pieces—takes the ephemeral, inconsistent, and piecemeal nature of our lives as inspiration and hopes to re-imbue the everyday chaos with a bit of whimsey and romanticism. BARA BARA primarily sources from small-scale local producers, through foraging, and via serendipitous encounters with scraps, leftovers, loose ends, etc., creatively responding to the presently-available materials to create and offer an array of SOFT WARES (a nod to the sartorial origins of computer technology as well as the general borrowing of textile-informed vocabulary in the tech: "software," "the cloud," "network" etc.). BARA BARA hopes to inspire you to consider anew and appreciate the fibers that surround you.

PROCESS

Each piece is meticulously fabricated using a combination of hand and semi-mechanical knitting, spinning, natural dyeing, and sewing techniques. High quality materials are sourced in small quantities and unique designs/patterns are made for each piece; therefore, each BARA BARA creation is one-of-a-kind. Similar items can be recreated upon request, but the same exact piece cannot be produced.

MATERIALS

BARA BARA SOFT WARES are constructed using natural fibers including wool, cotton, alpaca, silk, linen, cashmere and more. Materials are sourced from a variety of places, which are selected based on BARA BARA's priorities which are quality and sustainability. Some common sources:

• Naturally dyed wool yarn from farms and wool mills across North America that supports small businesses, farms, and the American wool industry
• Natural dyes are locally foraged or sourced from local suppliers
• Deadstock yarns and fabrics from Japan, Latvia, and Italy for machine knitting
• Reclaimed yarn, fabric, and clothing (often thrifted or donated, which BARA BARA cleans, dyes, mends, repurposes, etc.)

THE MAKER

Michiko (she/they), PhD, is an independent scholar, fiber artist and designer based in San Francisco. She is the owner and founder of BARA BARA SOFT WARES.

All products are designed and handmade in the Bay Area. Michiko’s design practice is informed by her multicultural upbringing, her taurus moon, and her doctorate in experimental film and linguistics. She is both self-taught and technically trained in pattern making and construction. Michiko started to experiment with knitting, sewing and drop spindling as a child, and has steadily pursued her passion for clothing making and other creative media ever since.