Boutique fashion houses don’t have to worry about a shortage of ideas. Fans always seem to be the experts in telling designers what they want.

In Anne Namba’s case, customers have repeatedly asked over the years, “When are you gonna do washable silk?”

Their wish for fine washable garments has finally been granted by the designer best known for working with vintage (read dry-clean) kimono fabric. At a preview fashion show Nov. 30, there was a mad rush to examine the new sample garments and sign up for pieces that are selling quickly.

It’s not that Namba hadn’t considered it. She said she doesn’t like the idea that washable silk is prone to wrinkling and fading, but was open to researching printing techniques on other fabric that might mimic the look and feel of silk. She found that the labor involved in transferring art onto fabric made it unfeasible to place small orders, preventing her boutique business from moving forward.

“I was told, ‘Your prints are difficult, so involved and intricate.’ But with technology advancing, there are new ways of printing,” Namba said.

Beyond printing there were other production and shipping costs to consider. Opting for sturdier polyester cost more to ship than lightweight fabric, and she said it took eight months to work out all the details once the project made it out of idea mode and into the working stage.

Since the samples arrived, she said she’s been road-testing the designs locally and in her travels. “I’ve been washing and drying them, not being careful at all, and so far it’s been excellent and fits more lifestyles today,” Namba said.

“I have clients who only want silk, but there are a lot more who want things for everyday wear. I get it. I think we should put effort into everything we do — and fashion is one of them — but it’s not like I’m putting on makeup when I’m going to Costco.”

But she said those who see the washable fabric mistake it for silk, and reintroducing some of her best-selling prints makes them instantly recognizable as any of Namba’s dressier looks with more of the ease and comfort women want today.

And a lower price point makes them more accessible as well. Washable pieces sell for $65 to $250, versus silk ready-to-wear pieces priced from $175 to $400.

Anne Namba Designs are available at her boutique at 324 Kamani St. in Kakaako; call 589-1135.