"Designing the Future of Ballet" ~ Towards a Future Where Ballet Lovers Can Look Forward Positively ~
Jardin des Costumes aims to design a future where all ballet lovers can be positive, with a special focus on making "Adult Ballerinas" smile in 2026.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 1, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 1, 2026 at 10:15
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 16, 2026 at 22:21 (372h 5m after Collected)
For those who dance ballet, those who watch it, and those who support it.
We will gradually create a society where people can rejoice in encountering ballet and enjoy life more fully.
[Image: Large image related to ballet]
Jardin des Costumes (Osaka City, Representative: Akiko Kimura), a custom-made ballet costume brand, endorses April Dream, a day to express dreams on April 1st. This press release is Jardin des Costumes' dream.
What is the dream for 2026?
Jardin des Costumes was founded in September 2022.
In the April Dream on April 1, 2024, we released content based on the topic of a fashion show scheduled to be held during Paris Fashion Week in September of that year, aiming to gather companions to create a 'future where adult women who love ballet shine together.'
This time, we reaffirm our goal of creating a future where all ballet lovers can be positive, and as one of the means to achieve this, we announce that we will be fully committed to a project that will bring smiles to 'Adult Ballerinas' in 2026.
After Paris Fashion Week
The collection "Bal de Fleurs" unveiled in Paris was well-received locally, with all 12 looks featured on the websites of five European and American media outlets. It also served as an opportunity to gradually make Jardin des Costumes known in the ballet world, for example, by gracing the finale of the first part of the ballet event "Be+ Ballet Entertainment" (at ROHM Theatre Kyoto Main Hall) in March 2025.
Furthermore, in September 2025, we planned and hosted the "Remake Fashion Show in Misaki" for elementary and junior high school students. In November of the same year, we were entrusted with the costume design and production for "Beethoven Symphony No. 5 ~Fate~" (choreographed by Satsuki Sejima), a performance in Ballet Company West Japan's 7th production "Be creative!". Through these activities, we have expanded beyond the traditional scope of classical ballet costume makers.
In addition, leveraging a unique career for a ballet costume maker – having worked as a full-time employee at a major mail-order company for 26 years after graduating from university, involved in various tasks from product development to sales planning and EC site content creation before founding the company – Akiko Kimura presides over "Costume Lab.," a costume making course where participants can learn design.
Despite being held in Osaka City, this popular course continues to attract students from distant prefectures such as Shiga and Mie.
Now at 52 years old, still continuing ballet lessons and having accumulated various experiences, there are things that can only be done now. We are steadily advancing plans this year with the theme of 'making Adult Ballerinas smile.'
[Image: Be+ Ballet Entertainment Last Scene (March 23, 2025, at ROHM Theatre Kyoto Main Hall)]
Why Adult Ballerinas now?
In recent years, the number of people starting ballet as adults has significantly increased.
Japan's ballet population is said to be 250,000, but unfortunately, due to the declining birthrate, the number of children is decreasing. However, the number of adults, especially those in their 60s and 70s, is increasing.
[Image: Large image related to ballet population trends]
One of the reasons for this is the desire to extend healthy life expectancy. Instead of running at a sports gym or training with machines, people who have discovered the joy of moving their bodies to music are becoming passionate about ballet.
The "Ballet Competition for Adults" is also becoming increasingly popular. It serves as a venue for adult ballerinas, mainly in their 40s to 60s, to enjoy performing on stage.
[Image: 2025 July 24, at the talk session with Principal Dancer Rin Okuno at the exhibition 'The World of Ballet Costumes']
Against this social backdrop, we are currently planning products and events that will allow Adult Ballerinas to enjoy ballet even more!
New products are scheduled to be released in August in Tokyo at "Main Stage," a ballet event for adult ballerinas!
Also, an event specifically for "Kanreki-Rina" (ballerinas celebrating their 60th birthday) will be held in Osaka in November!
I myself, as the planner, can't stop feeling excited about the anticipation of these events.
We will announce details on Jardin des Costumes' HP (https://jardin-des-costumes.com/) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/jardindescostumes/) as soon as they are available. Please look forward to them!
Towards a future where ballet lovers can look forward positively
Ballet itself may be a niche genre, but when including related products and experiences (things, goods, moments), the market is surprisingly wide.
In particular, we believe there is still much room for growth in projects targeting "Adult Ballerinas," who are a prime example of discretionary spending.
Not only in the ballet world, but if more energetic adults emerge, the entire Japanese economy should be revitalized.
As a result, we believe that a society where ballet lovers of all generations can be positive will someday be realized.
[Image: Photographed in Paris on September 29, 2024 (photo:s.a.o.r.i_photography)]
Jardin des Costumes
(Jardin des Costumes)
Akiko Kimura, residing in Osaka, who started ballet in childhood and has 44 years of ballet experience this year, launched this custom-made ballet costume brand in 2013. It is highly regarded not only for its design ability to create unique originals but also for its light and dance-friendly specifications, backed by years of ballet experience.
It produces costumes for top prize winners in domestic and international ballet competitions and Japanese principal dancers active in Europe. Additionally, as an environmentally friendly product, the "Rehearsal Skirt for the Future of the Earth" has been produced on order since August 2023, receiving positive feedback from dancers belonging to famous ballet companies both domestically and internationally.
In autumn 2024, it announced a collection of 12 new ballet costumes at Paris Fashion Week.
Furthermore, after graduating from university, she worked for 26 years at a major mail-order company. Leveraging the skills honed in planning, she presides over "Costume Lab.," a costume making course and research institute for adults.
Since 2022, she has served as an instructor at Ueda Yasuko Fashion College, teaching ballet costume production.
Using costumes as a hook, she is expanding her activities across various genres, aiming to create a society in Japan where ballet-related work is recognized as part of economic activity.
[Image: Representative: Akiko Kimura]
[Please also see here]
[Interview articles about the story of founding the business, etc.]
We will gradually create a society where people can rejoice in encountering ballet and enjoy life more fully.
[Image: Large image related to ballet]
Jardin des Costumes (Osaka City, Representative: Akiko Kimura), a custom-made ballet costume brand, endorses April Dream, a day to express dreams on April 1st. This press release is Jardin des Costumes' dream.
What is the dream for 2026?
Jardin des Costumes was founded in September 2022.
In the April Dream on April 1, 2024, we released content based on the topic of a fashion show scheduled to be held during Paris Fashion Week in September of that year, aiming to gather companions to create a 'future where adult women who love ballet shine together.'
This time, we reaffirm our goal of creating a future where all ballet lovers can be positive, and as one of the means to achieve this, we announce that we will be fully committed to a project that will bring smiles to 'Adult Ballerinas' in 2026.
After Paris Fashion Week
The collection "Bal de Fleurs" unveiled in Paris was well-received locally, with all 12 looks featured on the websites of five European and American media outlets. It also served as an opportunity to gradually make Jardin des Costumes known in the ballet world, for example, by gracing the finale of the first part of the ballet event "Be+ Ballet Entertainment" (at ROHM Theatre Kyoto Main Hall) in March 2025.
Furthermore, in September 2025, we planned and hosted the "Remake Fashion Show in Misaki" for elementary and junior high school students. In November of the same year, we were entrusted with the costume design and production for "Beethoven Symphony No. 5 ~Fate~" (choreographed by Satsuki Sejima), a performance in Ballet Company West Japan's 7th production "Be creative!". Through these activities, we have expanded beyond the traditional scope of classical ballet costume makers.
In addition, leveraging a unique career for a ballet costume maker – having worked as a full-time employee at a major mail-order company for 26 years after graduating from university, involved in various tasks from product development to sales planning and EC site content creation before founding the company – Akiko Kimura presides over "Costume Lab.," a costume making course where participants can learn design.
Despite being held in Osaka City, this popular course continues to attract students from distant prefectures such as Shiga and Mie.
Now at 52 years old, still continuing ballet lessons and having accumulated various experiences, there are things that can only be done now. We are steadily advancing plans this year with the theme of 'making Adult Ballerinas smile.'
[Image: Be+ Ballet Entertainment Last Scene (March 23, 2025, at ROHM Theatre Kyoto Main Hall)]
Why Adult Ballerinas now?
In recent years, the number of people starting ballet as adults has significantly increased.
Japan's ballet population is said to be 250,000, but unfortunately, due to the declining birthrate, the number of children is decreasing. However, the number of adults, especially those in their 60s and 70s, is increasing.
[Image: Large image related to ballet population trends]
One of the reasons for this is the desire to extend healthy life expectancy. Instead of running at a sports gym or training with machines, people who have discovered the joy of moving their bodies to music are becoming passionate about ballet.
The "Ballet Competition for Adults" is also becoming increasingly popular. It serves as a venue for adult ballerinas, mainly in their 40s to 60s, to enjoy performing on stage.
[Image: 2025 July 24, at the talk session with Principal Dancer Rin Okuno at the exhibition 'The World of Ballet Costumes']
Against this social backdrop, we are currently planning products and events that will allow Adult Ballerinas to enjoy ballet even more!
New products are scheduled to be released in August in Tokyo at "Main Stage," a ballet event for adult ballerinas!
Also, an event specifically for "Kanreki-Rina" (ballerinas celebrating their 60th birthday) will be held in Osaka in November!
I myself, as the planner, can't stop feeling excited about the anticipation of these events.
We will announce details on Jardin des Costumes' HP (https://jardin-des-costumes.com/) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/jardindescostumes/) as soon as they are available. Please look forward to them!
Towards a future where ballet lovers can look forward positively
Ballet itself may be a niche genre, but when including related products and experiences (things, goods, moments), the market is surprisingly wide.
In particular, we believe there is still much room for growth in projects targeting "Adult Ballerinas," who are a prime example of discretionary spending.
Not only in the ballet world, but if more energetic adults emerge, the entire Japanese economy should be revitalized.
As a result, we believe that a society where ballet lovers of all generations can be positive will someday be realized.
[Image: Photographed in Paris on September 29, 2024 (photo:s.a.o.r.i_photography)]
Jardin des Costumes
(Jardin des Costumes)
Akiko Kimura, residing in Osaka, who started ballet in childhood and has 44 years of ballet experience this year, launched this custom-made ballet costume brand in 2013. It is highly regarded not only for its design ability to create unique originals but also for its light and dance-friendly specifications, backed by years of ballet experience.
It produces costumes for top prize winners in domestic and international ballet competitions and Japanese principal dancers active in Europe. Additionally, as an environmentally friendly product, the "Rehearsal Skirt for the Future of the Earth" has been produced on order since August 2023, receiving positive feedback from dancers belonging to famous ballet companies both domestically and internationally.
In autumn 2024, it announced a collection of 12 new ballet costumes at Paris Fashion Week.
Furthermore, after graduating from university, she worked for 26 years at a major mail-order company. Leveraging the skills honed in planning, she presides over "Costume Lab.," a costume making course and research institute for adults.
Since 2022, she has served as an instructor at Ueda Yasuko Fashion College, teaching ballet costume production.
Using costumes as a hook, she is expanding her activities across various genres, aiming to create a society in Japan where ballet-related work is recognized as part of economic activity.
[Image: Representative: Akiko Kimura]
[Please also see here]
[Interview articles about the story of founding the business, etc.]
FAQ
What is Jardin des Costumes' "dream" for 2026?
It is to create a future where all ballet lovers can be positive, and to fully commit to projects that will bring smiles to "Adult Ballerinas" in particular.
Why is the company focusing on the adult ballet market now?
While the child ballet population in Japan is declining, the adult ballet population, especially those in their 60s and 70s, is increasing due to the demand for extending healthy life expectancy.
Are there any specific upcoming events or new products planned?
New products are scheduled to be released in August at the "Main Stage" ballet event for adult ballerinas in Tokyo. An event specifically for "Kanreki-Rina" (60-year-old ballerinas) is also planned for November in Osaka.