Naomi Graham

Naomi is the brains behind PuchiMaiko and it is her her hands personally that lovingly create each item from scratch. Naomi is also an Aussie expat with a funny accent who is best known for her popular research website about geisha and maiko: www.immortalgeisha.com.

PuchiMaiko developed from Naomi’s life long passion for DIY textile art, crafts and alternative fashion mixed in with her deep appreciation for Japanese traditional textiles and design. Her years of researching geisha, maiko, and traditional Japanese patterns has left Naomi with a kean eye for unique colour and pattern combinations. Sometimes, this means it takes her hours just to choose the perfect fabric combination for one item because not only does she want the item to be ascetically pleasing, she wants meaning behind them. Naomi moved from South Florida to the San Francisco Bay Area in September 2006 and finds herself also highly inspired by the beauty of nature surrounding her new home.

In her spare time (when she has some!), Naomi can be found listening to Echo and the Bunnymen, enjoying taiko lessons, Japanese dance and practicing kitsuke (kimono dressing) in addition to being an avid bookworm, devouring many books over, and over again. She is also a not-so-closet StarTrek fan.

Naomi’s biggest weakness (besides squirrels and raccoons) is being unable to resist gorgeous kimono fabric with cute patterns. Her fabric stockpile threatens to overtake the apartment! Whilst this is bad news for her living space, it is great news for PuchiMaiko as there is only one way to use the fabric - make more items!

Onineko
Onineko was our dear mascot and "helper" for the past few years. Sadly she passed away at the end of September, 2006, but she will always be a part of PuchiMaiko.