Email sent to mailing list on August 5th, 2025:
Hey friend,
So… Maison Mikumo is not closing after all. 😅
Trust me, I’m just as shocked as you are - I promise this isn’t some kind of weird marketing stunt lol
Here’s what happened -
After months of wrestling with the decision, I finally accepted that I was moving on from Maison Mikumo. I had mentally checked out from the brand for some time and after a period of anxiety and avoidance, I was finally feeling *good* about the idea of closing.
I announced the closure to my factory and my community… and then, about a week later, I received an unexpected message from my factory.
They hoped I’d continue for another year and offered me a wonderful deal to stay on that I simply couldn’t refuse. It takes some of the financial pressure off and gives me the creative breathing room I need to actually *enjoy* designing again. I’m so grateful to have their support during an economically tumultuous time like this, when my instinct is to behave more cautiously.
To be honest, the emotional whiplash has been real. I’d already ‘grieved,’ started picturing my “post-Mikumo” life - making plans to solo travel and attend language school, and signed up for sewing classes (don’t worry, I’m still going). I still need some time to process the change in plans and review my priorities for the next year. Although I’m not 100% sure what the road ahead looks like yet given this new path forward, here’s the plan so far:
Instead of closing permanently, we will take a short break and refresh the brand.
Maison Mikumo will stay open under the same name but will undergo a branding update during a temporary closure TBA.
- We’ll still be clearing out all non-knit items at 50% off
Knits will still be available to order at 25% off for a limited time TBA (no more July 31st deadline)
- After a short break where the online store will be temporarily closed, we’ll be back sometime in fall with a refreshed brand feel and new knit designs for pre-order at an exclusive discounted price, replicating our success with the kickstarter pre-sales that started everything ✨
- I feel incredibly blessed by the support I’ve received from both my community and my factory in these past two weeks. Thank you, truly - you’ve reminded me why I started this in the first place!
Oh, and keep an eye out for a new blog post soon! I’ll be sharing a behind-the-scenes look at a skirt design that almost became my “final straw” before closing, and how I’m reviving it now with fresh energy and renewed excitement.
Life is such a rollercoaster, isn't it? Thank you for being here through all the twists and turns 💛
With immense gratitude,
Tina