Akiko & Co gives Japanese heirloom kimonos a new life, offering rare pieces made to be worn and cherished for their rich history.
Born in Umdloti and rooted in Japanese tradition, Akiko & Co. is more than a boutique – it’s a collection of rare heirlooms, each handpicked for its unique artistry and history. The brand offers wearable art that celebrates legacy over trends, rarity over mass production, and meaning over waste. We chatted to owner Kayla Botha about her business…
What inspired you to start Akiko & Co?
I’ve always loved what’s rare and meaningful. While living in Hawaii, where there is a big Japanese influence, I discovered the beauty of Japanese kimonos, which are created to last generations. In a world of fast fashion, I wanted to slow things down and to honour pieces that carry history rather than trends.
What does Akiko mean?
Akiko means ‘bright child’ in Japanese. It reminds me of my children, Noah and Lula, and the way seasons change, but legacy endures. That’s sustainability too: knowing what we pass down will outlive us.
What makes you different?
These are authentic Japanese heirlooms, often with crests or artist signatures. They’re one-of-a-kind, never repeated. In a culture of mass production, Akiko exists for women who value rarity, heritage, and pieces that won’t end up in landfill but in family archives.
How do you source them?
I work with trusted overseas collectors. Each piece is handpicked in Japan for its rarity, artistry and soul. I keep the collection intentionally small, so the pieces are fewer, better, more meaningful – this is at the heart of sustainable fashion.
Do you struggle to let go of pieces?
Yes, some feel like museum treasures. But sustainability is also about circulation. These pieces are meant to continue their journey, to be loved and cared for by the women they truly belong to.
Is Akiko or art?
Both. They’re wearable art, but above all, they’re legacy. In Japan, pieces were never disposable. They carried story and soul. That ethos is exactly what the fashion world needs today.
What has been your proudest moment?
When customers (my muses) send me photos or reels in their heirlooms. Seeing them give new life to pieces that are decades old — that’s sustainability in its truest form: extending life, creating new stories, keeping culture alive.
What’s next for Akiko & Co.?
In the next two weeks, we’re launching our own Monoï de Tahiti oil from Tahiti made with handpicked Tiaré flowers. It’s a centuries-old ritual and the oil feels like liquid silk. Just like our heirloom pieces, it’s about ritual, natural origins, and respect for tradition.
How do you want women to feel in your pieces?
Rare, radiant, and powerful, like the most beautiful version of themselves. And at peace knowing their piece carries history, not waste.
Details: www.akikoco.co.za; IG: @akikoandco
