Ms Collins hopes to showcase the cross-cultural designs at New Zealand Fashion Week, but needs to raise $25,000 to take part.
The project started about five years ago when she was told by a friend in Osaka who collects kimonos that damaged examples often sat in storage and many were discarded.
"I couldn't bear the thought of them being tossed away like so many pieces of worthless trash," said Mrs Collins.
"They were pieces of history, once proudly worn and cherished, each with an intricate story woven into its fabric."
In Japan, she said, kimono re-makers would not dare to cut up the fabrics or deviate from traditional designs.
Yoshiko Taylor, a neighbour and project partner, remembers dressing in kimonos when she grew up in Japan.
"The kimono is worn for special and very formal occasions like weddings and tea ceremonies, and I always felt very special when I put one on," she said.
"It is our hope that the designers will turn the fabrics into items that would give the wearer that same special feeling."
Masa Sekikawa, adviser to the Japan Society in Auckland, said the kimono is a traditional garment worn mainly by women, but sometimes also by Japanese men.
They are T-shaped, straight-lined robes, with attached collars and long, wide sleeves.
However, Mr Sekikawa said an increasing number of people were coming up with alternatives to "modernise" the kimono.
"Some old ladies still wear them on a daily basis, but more and more, many are using them as a fashion statement," he said.
"For younger Japanese, including many J-Pop singers, they modify the design and turn the kimono into short and funky wear."
