NEW YORK, Jan 27, 2024 (News On Japan) - This week, a fashion show themed around 'Japanese traditional materials' was held in New York, USA. Aimed at transforming kimono fabrics into avant-garde fashion, the show featured international models dressed in unique, vibrant designs made from Japanese silk textiles.
The silk materials are crafted by 'Yamada Ori,' a Niigata-based weaving company with over a century's history. The delicate textiles are produced using traditional methods passed down through generations.
Yamada Ori CEO Tsutomu Hosaka: "Overseas, the demand for kimonos might be limited, but as a 'fabric,' there's a very bright future."
However, the domestic demand for kimonos in Japan is decreasing. Moreover, the industry faces a 'succession crisis.'
Hosaka: "There's a serious problem with a lack of successors. From the manufacturing perspective, we can't continue the same way as in the past."
'Yamada Ori,' once the town's largest weaving company employing over 500 artisans, now operates with just nine, mainly elderly workers.
To prevent the extinction of this craft, they envisioned repurposing the textile not only for kimonos but as a part of global fashion.
For the New York fashion show, young designers from 10 countries were tasked with creating the outfits.
Amazed by their innovative use of silk fabrics, Hosaka said, "It was quite shocking, in a way. I was impressed by the potential versatility of the material."
Designers too found new inspiration in the traditional textiles:
Designer: "Incorporating traditional Japanese textiles was very enjoyable. It has become a new source of inspiration for us."
The material received high praise from international models:
Model: "It's very soft and comfortable to wear. I could wear this out to a club."
"I really like the texture. It feels great just walking in it."
As domestic demand declines and business succession becomes challenging, taking a completely different approach to target the global market may be the way for traditional industries to survive, as pointed out by the organizers.
Sakura Collection Representative Director Noriko Tabata: "By introducing previously untapped products overseas, we hope to contribute to Japan's economic development. It's also fascinating how people connect through these items."
Japan's traditional materials, with world-class quality, now globally embraced by the younger generation, seem to be the key to connecting the past with the future.
Source: 日テレNEWS
