This time, we are presenting a suit made from kimonos that can no longer be worn. The design is by the man wearing the suit himself, Kenichiro Koyama.
An up-and-coming spatial designer and fashion designer active on the global stage. After marrying a woman from Kunigami Village, the northernmost point of Okinawa Prefecture, he embarked on a project to revitalize a defunct hotel there. While running a hostel, he is also dedicated to revitalizing depopulated areas nationwide.
In Okinawa, we achieved major success with a project transforming discarded clothing (kariyushi) into high-fashion suits called “OKINAWA SUITS.” Recently, the wave of SDGs has also reached the fashion and textile world. Attention is focusing on issues like the reality of mass production, mass consumption, and mass disposal in fast fashion; the mainstreaming of chemical fibers using finite resources; and the potential for improper processing of collected clothing overseas. As the industry’s practices are being questioned, “OKINAWA SUITS” is gaining attention and recognition as a leading force in “upcycling,” creating new value and possibilities.
While it may be a bit flashy, it’s truly delightful that wearing this to attract attention is becoming a new fashion trend. Together with Mr. Koyama and others, we are releasing “KYOTO SUITS” with great anticipation.
Our encounter took place at the Kyoto Satoyama SDGs Lab (Kotosu), a repurposed school we operate, during an upcycling collection event held exactly one year ago.
Through an introduction from a contact, we were invited to exhibit. For this occasion, we created a special edition collaboration between “OKINAWA SUITS” and Kyoto’s traditional dyeing techniques. It became a truly luxurious project, featuring Naomi Trauden wearing the piece.
On the other hand, we have been working with students over the past few years on the “Kistory” project, which aims to utilize kimonos that have been sitting unused.
Young people receive donated kimonos from across the country, learn how to dress in them, and breathe new life into these garments. While nearly a thousand kimonos have been collected, some are difficult to use as-is due to stains or damage. For nearly a year, we’ve been conceptualizing and prototyping ways to upcycle these pieces. We are now exploring collaborations with welfare organizations to further expand our SDGs initiatives. Dismantling kimonos requires delicate techniques, and we have begun trials to see if we can collaborate with the staff at the Kagen Nishikyogoku Workshop in Kyoto City for this part. “KYOTO SUITS” is currently also on display at Kotosu, so please come see the texture and presence of these pieces for yourself.
THE FASHION KYOTO SUITS in Kyoto Riyama SDGs Lab・Kotosu
Exhibition Period: February 18, 2023 – May 31, 2023
Approximately one and a half years after discarded kariyushi wear from Okinawa Prefecture was transformed into “OKINAWA SUITS,” the next stage is Kyoto. In Kyoto, fashion sensibilities are infused into kimono, debuting as “KYOTO SUITS” at the Kyoto Satoyama SDGs Lab・Kotosu. The exhibition features six distinct “KYOTO SUITS” designs, each showcasing unique personalities. Among them, one design commissioned the “NPO Kagami Kagami Nishikyogoku Workshop” to handle part of its production process will also be displayed.
