Hello, this is Kubo.
As a continuation of " A Fashion Designer's Thoughts on 'Sustainability' ," this time I'd like to share my thoughts on so-called synthetic fibers (chemical fibers) such as polyester and nylon.
As you know, plastic materials such as polyester and polypropylene are used in many aspects of our daily lives. And although plastic shopping bags are now charged for with the goal of "reducing plastic waste," before and after this change, there were daily reports about issues such as "marine animals such as whales and turtles mistaking discarded plastic bags for food and eating them" and "ultrafine plastic particles flowing into the ocean and accumulating in the bodies of fish and other marine life, leading to marine pollution," highlighting the serious problem of plastic waste.
Perhaps as a result of these discussions, there seems to be a growing tendency to view polyester and nylon used in clothing in a negative light.
On the other hand, there is one story that personally made a lasting impression on me about polyester, even among synthetic fibers. It was about 30 years ago, before I became a fashion designer. A TV program featured fleece, which had just started to appear, and it said, "The fibers in this clothing are made from PET bottles!" I still remember seeing it and simply thinking, "Wow!"
Since then, I've found that synthetic fibers like polyester and nylon have many advantages when it comes to clothing, and I use them quite a bit. They don't fade, are stretchy, don't lose their shape, and are highly durable, so I think "people will be able to wear them for a long time without them getting worn out." I'd like to show you the photo below as "proof" of this.
These "NYLON PANTS" were released in Spring/Summer 2022 and sold out, but I've been wearing them almost every day for a year, washing them almost every day and putting them in the dryer. It may be hard to tell from the photo, but there are no marks on the knees or fraying at the hem, and they're still in excellent condition. They're incredibly durable.
Cotton is often supported in the context of sustainable fashion, but when worn over the years, as in the photo above, it's inevitable that it will deteriorate. It would be fine if aging added character like denim, but for clothes that don't, perhaps items made from synthetic materials like polyester or nylon would stay in better condition and people would be able to wear them for longer without feeling like "should I throw it away?" Wouldn't that ultimately achieve more sustainability? That's what I feel.
At the very least, before I jump to the conclusion that "cotton is fine because it's a natural fiber, and synthetic fibers like polyester and nylon should be eliminated from society," I feel like "Is that really the case? I'd like to see for myself."
However, it's only natural for people to want to replace their clothes due to design preferences or simply getting tired of them. As fashion designers, it's important to have the determination to propose a truly unique garment, carefully crafted with meticulous attention to detail, so that it won't be easily "consumed" but will be cherished and worn for a long time.
We believe our role is to contribute to the sustainability of those involved in fashion, while also ensuring that our products are chosen when people are looking for "just one more item, something a little different."
As a continuation of " A Fashion Designer's Thoughts on 'Sustainability' ," this time I'd like to share my thoughts on so-called synthetic fibers (chemical fibers) such as polyester and nylon.
As you know, plastic materials such as polyester and polypropylene are used in many aspects of our daily lives. And although plastic shopping bags are now charged for with the goal of "reducing plastic waste," before and after this change, there were daily reports about issues such as "marine animals such as whales and turtles mistaking discarded plastic bags for food and eating them" and "ultrafine plastic particles flowing into the ocean and accumulating in the bodies of fish and other marine life, leading to marine pollution," highlighting the serious problem of plastic waste.
Perhaps as a result of these discussions, there seems to be a growing tendency to view polyester and nylon used in clothing in a negative light.
On the other hand, there is one story that personally made a lasting impression on me about polyester, even among synthetic fibers. It was about 30 years ago, before I became a fashion designer. A TV program featured fleece, which had just started to appear, and it said, "The fibers in this clothing are made from PET bottles!" I still remember seeing it and simply thinking, "Wow!"
Since then, I've found that synthetic fibers like polyester and nylon have many advantages when it comes to clothing, and I use them quite a bit. They don't fade, are stretchy, don't lose their shape, and are highly durable, so I think "people will be able to wear them for a long time without them getting worn out." I'd like to show you the photo below as "proof" of this.
These "NYLON PANTS" were released in Spring/Summer 2022 and sold out, but I've been wearing them almost every day for a year, washing them almost every day and putting them in the dryer. It may be hard to tell from the photo, but there are no marks on the knees or fraying at the hem, and they're still in excellent condition. They're incredibly durable.Cotton is often supported in the context of sustainable fashion, but when worn over the years, as in the photo above, it's inevitable that it will deteriorate. It would be fine if aging added character like denim, but for clothes that don't, perhaps items made from synthetic materials like polyester or nylon would stay in better condition and people would be able to wear them for longer without feeling like "should I throw it away?" Wouldn't that ultimately achieve more sustainability? That's what I feel.
At the very least, before I jump to the conclusion that "cotton is fine because it's a natural fiber, and synthetic fibers like polyester and nylon should be eliminated from society," I feel like "Is that really the case? I'd like to see for myself."
However, it's only natural for people to want to replace their clothes due to design preferences or simply getting tired of them. As fashion designers, it's important to have the determination to propose a truly unique garment, carefully crafted with meticulous attention to detail, so that it won't be easily "consumed" but will be cherished and worn for a long time.
We believe our role is to contribute to the sustainability of those involved in fashion, while also ensuring that our products are chosen when people are looking for "just one more item, something a little different."