Hello, this is Kubo. In the article I recently published titled " yoshiokubo 2023 Fall/Winter Collection ," I talked about my thoughts on the clothes I've been making lately.
—Surely, if you can create a truly unique garment, meticulously crafted with careful consideration, it won't be easily "consumed" but will be cherished and worn for a long time. That kind of thinking is what's needed in fashion today.
At the heart of these words lies my own perspective on "sustainability," a topic that has become unavoidable for anyone working in the fashion industry. Today, I'd like to talk a little more about that.
I recall that the rise of so-called fast fashion and the social problems associated with it brought to light, which is why fashion and sustainability have become such a major topic of discussion today.
In the post-war era, as the lifestyle of mass production and mass consumption continued, the factories producing the clothes that were mass-produced faced rampant problems such as child labor, labor exploitation, and dangerous working conditions—problems that could not be ignored at the time. Then, in 2013, an incident occurred that became a catalyst for a major shift in public opinion ("the Rana Plaza collapse," or "the Rana Plaza tragedy"). Some of you may have heard or read about this story.
Since then, the fashion industry has reflected on these issues and is gradually changing, asking itself questions such as: Are we sincerely practicing "E (Environment), S (Society), and G (Governance)?" and "Are we accepting and acting with integrity in the UN's "SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals)?" Broadly speaking, I believe this trend continues to this day.
In this kind of world, as a fashion designer, I believe that one way I can contribute to society is to "create clothing that doesn't lead to mass consumption." In that sense, I think the concept of the yoshiokubo 2023/2024 Fall/Winter collection "Self Defense," which is "somewhat nostalgic, yet new, captivating the wearer's heart and never letting go, creating comfortable clothing that protects you as you go about your daily life," will become the foundation for my future clothing designs.
On the other hand, the issues facing the fashion industry are extremely wide-ranging. For example, important topics include whether or not to use polyester fiber, which is a plastic material, whether or not to use fur, the discussion of values and money in the clothing production process, how to approach upcycling, and the issue of buying and selling on the second-hand market and ensuring quality.
At this stage, I myself am full of questions and things I don't understand when it comes to fashion and sustainability.
However, I am confident that in addition to the traditional way of buying clothes—simply liking the design or brand itself—more and more people will choose and buy clothes because they resonate with and empathize with a brand's stance, philosophy, and values regarding sustainability. If that is the case, then as the designer of yoshiokubo, I believe it is my responsibility to study the relationship between fashion and sustainability, share my thoughts here, and provide information that will be useful when you choose your clothes.
So, as a fashion designer, I plan to increase the opportunities to talk about sustainability. Please continue to follow me.
■ Official Instagram
■ Official LINE account
■ Official YouTube channel: "yoshiokubo_official"
—Surely, if you can create a truly unique garment, meticulously crafted with careful consideration, it won't be easily "consumed" but will be cherished and worn for a long time. That kind of thinking is what's needed in fashion today.
At the heart of these words lies my own perspective on "sustainability," a topic that has become unavoidable for anyone working in the fashion industry. Today, I'd like to talk a little more about that.
I recall that the rise of so-called fast fashion and the social problems associated with it brought to light, which is why fashion and sustainability have become such a major topic of discussion today.
In the post-war era, as the lifestyle of mass production and mass consumption continued, the factories producing the clothes that were mass-produced faced rampant problems such as child labor, labor exploitation, and dangerous working conditions—problems that could not be ignored at the time. Then, in 2013, an incident occurred that became a catalyst for a major shift in public opinion ("the Rana Plaza collapse," or "the Rana Plaza tragedy"). Some of you may have heard or read about this story.
Since then, the fashion industry has reflected on these issues and is gradually changing, asking itself questions such as: Are we sincerely practicing "E (Environment), S (Society), and G (Governance)?" and "Are we accepting and acting with integrity in the UN's "SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals)?" Broadly speaking, I believe this trend continues to this day.
In this kind of world, as a fashion designer, I believe that one way I can contribute to society is to "create clothing that doesn't lead to mass consumption." In that sense, I think the concept of the yoshiokubo 2023/2024 Fall/Winter collection "Self Defense," which is "somewhat nostalgic, yet new, captivating the wearer's heart and never letting go, creating comfortable clothing that protects you as you go about your daily life," will become the foundation for my future clothing designs.
On the other hand, the issues facing the fashion industry are extremely wide-ranging. For example, important topics include whether or not to use polyester fiber, which is a plastic material, whether or not to use fur, the discussion of values and money in the clothing production process, how to approach upcycling, and the issue of buying and selling on the second-hand market and ensuring quality.
At this stage, I myself am full of questions and things I don't understand when it comes to fashion and sustainability.
However, I am confident that in addition to the traditional way of buying clothes—simply liking the design or brand itself—more and more people will choose and buy clothes because they resonate with and empathize with a brand's stance, philosophy, and values regarding sustainability. If that is the case, then as the designer of yoshiokubo, I believe it is my responsibility to study the relationship between fashion and sustainability, share my thoughts here, and provide information that will be useful when you choose your clothes.
So, as a fashion designer, I plan to increase the opportunities to talk about sustainability. Please continue to follow me.
■ Official Instagram
■ Official LINE account
■ Official YouTube channel: "yoshiokubo_official"