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Jul 26, 2019 · We interview Tokyo-based designers to find out what inspires their style, how they define Tokyo fashion, and where they love to shop in the city.
- Maito Design Works. The brand manufactures high-quality, plant-dyed weaved and knitted products. Established in 2010, its mission is to protect the traditional techniques of Japanese weaving and natural dyeing, as well as to raise awareness on the importance of continuing the legacy.
- PLAYFÜL. Established in Osaka by Lisa Koh, a fourth-generation Korean-Japanese designer, fashion has circulated around the topic of identity. Her struggle to find a place in a homogenous society often led her to have a victim complex, struggling with finding a balance between the culture she knew and the culture she grew up with.
- Re:nne. Having kicked off in March 2021, Re:nne is a newly established brand that offers vegan leather wallets. Their simple yet functional wallets are 100% chemical-free, individually made by Japanese leather artisans, partly biodegradable, and most importantly, indistinguishable from genuine leather wallets.
- 宝島染工 Takarajima Senkou. Established in 2001 by Chiharu Ogomori, Takarajima Senko is a small two-story workshop located in the countryside of Fukuoka Prefecture.
Mar 19, 2021 · Brands like Nisai, in their Autumn-Winter 2021 collection shown at Tokyo’s Rakuten Fashion Week (pictured above), upcycle used clothing to design “one-of-a-kind” looks. Then there’s the ...
From vintage kimono and clothing to smashed pottery and used plastic umbrellas, see how these unwanted items have all been upcycled and repurposed to make beautiful, inventive new products.
- Semi-Custom-Made Clothing
- Secondhand Clothing
- Outdoor Clothing
- Sportswear
- Room Wear
- Bags
- Shoes
- Underwear
- Fashion Accessories
- Seven Three
SOLIT!
SOLIT!is a Japanese inclusive fashion brand that aims to realize both sustainability and diversity at the same time. All the items are can be customized to suit your preferences, body shapes, and disability characteristics. [Related article: SOLIT!, the Japanaese inclusive fashion brand addressing inequality]
Futashiba248
Futashiba248is a slow fashion brand that dyes clothes with agricultural wastes from local farmers in Ibaraki Prefecture. It is also working to reduce resource loss by incorporating made-to-order production and genderless designs and sizes. [Related article: Japan’s kusaki-zome plant dyeing revives in slow fashion]
Omi Crafts
Omi Craftsis a custom order company providing your daily ethical needs when it comes to clothing. The clothes are made with a concept of “living by returning to the soil.” The brand’s clothing can be ordered through the company’s website.
Shimokita Garage Department
Shimokita Garage Department(secondhand) is located in Tokyo’s famous Shimokitazawa district and offers a wide selection of secondhand clothing for all sexes and ages. The department is full of many different vendors, and you will be sure to find some funky, yet cool, clothes for your next night out.
Patagonia
Patagoniais exceptional with materials that last a lot longer, which will not only help save you money in the long run, but, but also benefit the environment. Furthermore, when the business’ materials do reach the end of its lifespan, they are designed to be repairable and recyclable. Stores can be found in every major city in Japan.
Snow Peak
Snow Peak has been working on the Local Wear Project, in which they make clothing by incorporating local materials and traditional techniques developed in each area to preserve the local economy. Its products are designed to fit in with both outdoor scenes and everyday life. [Related article: How Japan integrates circular rice farming into fashion]
Yinyang
Yinyangworks on zero waste throughout the whole process from production to consumption. Over 90% of their products are made out of natural ingredients, such as cotton, linen and hemp. It has both tight and loose yoga wear. [Related article: Japan’s sustainable yoga wear brands to help you practice mindfully]
Ayur Shantee
Ayur Shanteeuse traditional Japanese paper called “Washi” in some of their products in order to make them biodegradable. This material keeps a degree of comfort by its quick absorption, quick dry and antibacterial properties. [Related article: Japan’s sustainable yoga wear brands to help you practice mindfully]
TENERITA
TENERITAhas stores in Osaka, Nagoya and Tokyo. The company has a strong focus on organic cotton, and offers super stylish bathrobes, items for daily life, and of course…organic hand soap!
FUMIKODA
FUMIKODAcreates functional and luxury designer bags with high-quality vegan leather. It upcycles scraps of vegan leather and worn-out clothes to minimize waste. In addition to upcycling, it collects unwanted FUMIKODA items from users and gives them away to students who need them to reduce the environmental impact. [Related article: Japan’s ethical hand bags protect the planet and traditional craftmanship]
MOTHERHOUSE
MOTHERHOUSEsells an assortment of amazing handbags, and is a company that highlights the untapped market of developing countries through the processes of fairtrade. The company has stores set up throughout the country, including in Osaka and Tokyo, as well as Kobe.
Plasticity
Plasticitytakes old umbrellas and breathes new life into them by transforming them into amazing handbags. Their products can be found online or in two different locations within Tokyo.
Oito
Oitodistinguishes itself through the innovation of distinctive materials. One notable example is the Japanese paper thread employed in their footwear, which can generate and retain heat in response to light exposure. Additionally, they have created polyester threads from recycled PET, emphasizing functionality while upholding ethical standards.
Ccilu
Ccilu specializes in resilient rain shoes crafted from upcycled coffee grounds, providing outstanding waterproofing that keeps your feet dry in up to 6cm-deep waters during a 10,000-step journey. The brand has earned global acclaim with 24 prestigious awards. Notably, the company achieved PETA certification, underscoring the vegan and cruelty-free nature of all its products. [Related article] Environmentally friendly rain gear ideas from Japan to stay stylish and dry
RALLY ROUND
A sneaker brand, “RALLY ROUND,” features a model crafted from 93% plant-derived materials, incorporating bamboo and recycled coffee filters. The sneaker showcases innovative sustainable technologies like “Bambrub,” a soft and lightweight rubber derived from Japanese bamboo and natural rubber, alongside “Cafetex,” a breathable, durable fabric created from recycled coffee filter waste.
Liv:ra
Liv:raprovides a collection of underwear and lingerie for women through its webshop. The garments are made with organic cotton and traditional Japanese dye that has existed in the country’s culture for hundreds, if not, thousands of years.
As Is
As Is, Nissen’s project to address the needs of transgender customers, emphasizes inclusivity by creating underwear for all sizes. The brand offers functional items like chest binders for a flattened appearance without discomfort and lace bras designed for various body types.
Rinē
Rinēis a menstrual underwear brand driven to offer both style and comfort, prioritizing robust protection through innovative technology. The products incorporate TENCEL, an eco-friendly material derived from wood fiber.
Iriser
Iriseris an ethical jewelry brand that produces handmade glass jewelry such as necklaces, earrings and rings. It owns an atelier in a region that was significantly affected by the Great Eastern Earthquake occurred in 2011, and empowers women by giving them job opportunities as artisans. [Related article: Ethical jewelry brand iriser by women-led Fukushima lampworkers]
Yuri Sato
Yuri Satois an environmentally conscious jewelry brand that prioritizes sustainability. By upcycling metal waste from home appliances and recycling diamonds and gold from old jewelry, the brand avoids contributing to social issues associated with traditional jewelry making. Specializing in classy pieces, including necklaces, earrings and rings, Yuri Sato also promotes “circular jewelry making” by encouraging customers to return old pieces for upcycling and offering a discount on their next pu...
SEVEN THREEoffers distinctive jewelry featuring exclusive “Goldfish-shaped pearls” developed in Ise, Mie Prefecture—the world’s first location for cultured pearls. Originally created to support farmers facing a drop in production due to rising ocean temperatures, these pearls, with their unique protrusions, have become a new and attractive variety....
Jun 22, 2022 · Stroll around Koenji, Aoyama, Harajuku, Shimokitazawa and Tomigaya and you’ll find more variety than pretty much any other city in the world. Colorful, experimental and exciting, fashion in Japan continues to grow and inspire.
Dec 12, 2019 · Remake culture in Tokyo stems from the city’s vibrant street style scene. The 1970s was the first decade when Japanese people started to embrace international fashion, especially from America.
