Chores ᐧ 02 Kismet

$580.00

In the summertime, stalks and stems, shrubs and branches, tall trees, low grasses - all give up their blossoms, one by one, for the wind to carry away. They decorate the ground in their decay, proof of labor well done and let go. A few petals are carried further than their cousins, and they mingle in the fleeting encounters with other fading blooms before coming to rest, fluttering, to the ground.

Words by Shaina Yang


Chores is a collection of eighteen hand-embroidered vintage chore coats, celebrating the beauty of earnest labor. Because each piece is a vintage garment transformed through hand-embroidery, each piece is unique. 

With equal measures of whim and balance, Kismet muses over the tiny, transient coincidences that make up our very world - with stitches whose tails disappear when the coat is buttoned, clusters of bead and thread around an old repair, and patches of embroidery that seem to travel across the garment yet still appear in unlikely places. It expresses a host of colors, textures, buttons and beads in a well-tempered, understated composition - giving each its own fleeting place in the beautiful overall.

02 Kismet measures:

Cross Chest 22.5" (45" Bust)
Body Length 27"
Sleeve Length 23"

The fabric is a slightly lighter weight cotton twill with dark blue stitching; it has a more broken-in hand-feel and a fluid drape. It is in fair condition: there is a small snag on the right hip pocket, as well as a previously-repaired 2” L-shaped tear on the back body with some slight fabric warping at the repair site. However, the repair is secure, and is now decorated with embroidery and beading.

Please hand wash cold with mild detergent, and line dry. Warm iron on reverse with a little steam.

Joy's brother Justin (in photos/video) is 5'5" tall and measures:

Cross Chest 17" (34" Bust)
Body Length 25.5"
Sleeve Length 22" 

*Choose what you pay:

$380 - Covers materials and labor for creating this piece

$480 - Helps sustain my practice by paying for work that happens beyond garment construction alone

$580 - Contributes to the growth of my practice, allowing me to invest in tools, people, and future projects + comes with a surprise bonus item

Please note: If any one pricing tier is marked as "sold out," the item is no longer available. This is due to a quirk in the website's inventory management system that Joy has yet to find a good solution for. Thank you for understanding!

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