The minimalist omakase restaurant introduces made-to-measure clothing embodying the precision and artistry of Japanese waza

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kodō Los Angeles debuts Custom Firmé Atelier Uniforms

The minimalist omakase restaurant introduces made-to-measure clothing embodying the precision and artistry of Japanese waza

Alexandra Cheney

4 December 2024

In August, minimalist omakase restaurant kodō Los Angeles debuted their latest experiment: custom Japanese tasuki-inspired detailed uniforms in partnership with bespoke fashion house Firmé Atelier. The austere, indoor-outdoor Japanese restaurant in the Arts District, with a cafe in the front and an eight-room, ryokan-style hotel above, expresses a singular design aesthetic focused on razor-edged lines and steel finishes that makes it difficult to imagine this building’s former life as a working firehouse. Conversely, Firmé Atelier, with a warehouse studio in neighboring Downtown Los Angeles, is simultaneously known for both their custom suiting as well as their garment development for other brands.

Firmé Atelier designed made-to-measure uniforms for the kodō staff which embody the precision and artistry of Japanese waza [or 技, which is Japanese for technique and craftsmanship], accented with traditional Tasuki detailing. For the sushi chef and bartender’s uniforms, Firmé “incorporated the functionality of the Tasuki, a tying method used to gather in the large open sleeves of the kimono, with the silhouette of a traditional jump. So the sleeve is three-quarter but you’re able to shorten it with the ties. We added an extended lapel to the wearer’s left side collar as a nod to our tailoring,” says Eric Kim, one of the atelier’s founders. 

For the server uniforms, a more traditional button-up with the atelier’s signature diamond star snaps is paired with a half-pleated apron “reminiscent of old Japanese school uniforms and the hakama—a type of pleated pant,” adds Kim. “Pleats is a theme that we use in a lot of our collections so we thought it made sense to use them for this project.” 

This collaboration marks the first time either party has experimented in the other’s space. “kodō Los Angeles has always been dedicated to creating a memorable dining experience, and our collaboration with Firmé Atelier is a natural extension of that commitment,” says Yuji Tyler, the general manager at kodō. “The new uniforms are not just about looking stylish; they represent our dedication to excellence and the art of hospitality.”

Founded in 2018 by Kim and Paul Um, Los Angeles natives who were looking to shake up a town known for denim production and a penchant for hoodies and T-shirts, Firmé Atelier is continuing to grow. Although this is their uniform line, the owners hope it will not be their last.  

“I feel like I’ve never seen uniforms like this personally which were a product of so much thought and designed locally for a local restaurant,” says Um. “We spent three months, after all the discussions, actually doing design work. The first iteration we did was a long sleeve. But they were concerned that it would get in the way and would have to be rolled up, which is not the aesthetic we wanted. We cut the sleeve length and made the pockets bigger. We added double detail to the waistband of the aprons so it’s more secure.” 

The juxtaposition between the restaurant and food design—exacting if not occasionally questionable (see poured concrete floors and sharp cornered tables)—is duplicated in the uniforms. While functionality sits at the forefront in some cases, all the aprons are one size, for example, in others, design usurps convention.