Kenichiro Koyama “THE FASHION” × Rethink PROJECT Discarded Kariyushi Wear Reborn as High Fashion Suits! “OKINAWA SUITS” Launches May 30 (Zero Waste Day)
The “OKINAWA SUITS” project is launched through collaboration between Kenichiro Koyama, who tackles various social issues including lodging facility revitalization, and “Rethink PROJECT.” This initiative transforms discarded “Kariyushi Wear” into “high-fashion suits.” The project aims to contribute to solving the global issue of massive clothing waste. With the hope of creating a new cultural fashion movement that addresses waste from its inception, the project launches on Zero Waste Day, May 30th.
Okinawa-born! Challenging the Massive Clothing Waste Problem Founder Mr. Koyama is a creative producer who solves challenges for various companies and plans projects. In December 2020, he launched Kenichiro Koyama “THE FASHION,” creating art using discarded clothing and undertaking various initiatives to solve social issues. Rethink PROJECT is an initiative launched by JT in June 2020. Using “Rethink” as its keyword, it tackles regional community challenges by applying unprecedented perspectives and approaches. JT has now endorsed Mr. Koyama’s efforts addressing the massive clothing waste problem, leading to this collaborative project. For this project, Mr. Koyama himself will design the suits. He will redefine historic “Kariyushi Wear” destined for disposal as “suit material.” By creating designs that harmonize surprise and appeal, he aims to transform it into “high-fashion suits” that spark interest and appeal to younger generations. Through this new cultural fashion, he will raise questions about the mass disposal of clothing, starting from Okinawa.
Kenichiro Koyama Overview 34 years old, originally from Osaka Prefecture. He revitalized a 45-year-old abandoned hotel in Kunigami Village, the northernmost point of Okinawa Prefecture, transforming it into a new lodging facility called YANBARU HOSTEL. Alongside running this establishment, he works as a creative producer solving challenges and planning projects for various companies. *Kenichiro Koyama Creative Produce Office https://creativeproduceoffice.com/ *YANBARU HOSTEL https://yanbaru-hostel.jp
“Rethink PROJECT” Overview “Rethink PROJECT” is the collective name for JT’s community contribution activities. Using “Rethink = Changing Perspectives to Consider Matters” as its keyword, this project tackles social issues by leveraging unprecedented viewpoints and approaches to co-create “a new tomorrow” with our partners. For project details, please visit the official online page below. *Rethink PROJECT Website: https://rethink-pjt.jp/
