Types of sustainable fashion and examples in Japan

These days, the fashion industry is calling for sustainability since various problems exist in the industry. Depending on what problem they address, there are diverse forms of sustainable fashion. Let’s look at some significant forms of sustainable fashion in Japan.

What is sustainable fashion?

Sustainable fashion refers to garments and fashion items that are sourced, manufactured and consumed in a way that is more considerate for humans and the environment.

As for the environmental impact, for example, the clothing manufacturing process emits large amounts of CO2, and the process of cultivating plants used for fashion items and dying uses substantial water. In addition, numerous other problems exist in the process from production to consumption, such as ocean pollution caused by microplastics discharged when washing garments, and mass disposal of garments.

As for human rights, child labor and harsh working environments in the process of sourcing and manufacturing are critical issues.

Sustainable fashion brands address these problems from all aspects.

Ethical fashion

Ethical fashion focuses more on addressing labor and social issues related to fashion while taking the environment into consideration. In Japan, one of the major problems is the decline of traditional craftsmanship and local industries, and more brands are striving to preserve them.

Examples of ethical fashion brands in Japan

• Safe and gentle, ethical baby clothing brands from Japan
• Japanese ethical maternity fashion brands for new mothers
• 5 ethical fashion brands catching our eyes in Japan
• Kapok Knot brings sustainable fashion to the world with kapok
• Pristine’s tenugui towels pave the future for Japanese organic cotton
• Apparel brand REINA IBUKA with the charms of silk from Chichibu
• Ethical jewelry brand iriser by women-led Fukushima lampworkers
• “Aid To” marine plastic accessories to spread awareness of Arakawa River pollution
• How Japan integrates circular rice farming into fashion

Vegan fashion

Vegan fashion is a term for fashion items that are manufactured without any animal-origin material such as fur, animal leather, wool or silk. From an animal welfare perspective, not harming animals in the manufacturing process is also an important essence. Rather than simply replacing them with conventional synthetic fibers, many brands introduce more environmentally friendly materials.

Examples of vegan fashion brands

• Stylish vegan “mushroom leather bow tie” freshly released in Japan
• What is vegan leather made of?
• What are the current sustainable fashion trends?
• Japan’s ethical hand bags protect the planet and traditional craftmanship

Slow fashion

Slow fashion is the opposite of fast fashion, which means long-lasting clothing made with consideration for the environment, animals and human rights. Many of them feature simple, timeless designs and are made of natural materials. In slow fashion, it is also important to repair items rather than throw them away when they are damaged.

Examples of slow fashion brands in Japan

• Japan’s kusaki-zome plant dyeing revives in slow fashion
• 4 Highly stylish slow fashion brands from Japan
• Extending the life of your bags with SOCIAL VINTAGE by MOTHERHOUSE
• Re⇆STOCK, more than repairs for your favorite fashion products

Upcycled fashion

Upcycled fashion is to transform worn-out or damaged garments, food waste and other unwanted products into new fashion items. It is very similar to recycling but differs in that it adds value to the original item and transforms it into something even better.

Examples of upcycled fashion brands in Japan

• UZ Fabric passes on kimono culture to the next generation by upcycling
• A backpack upcycled from discarded apples! Apple leather from LOVST Tokyo
• Upcycled Double Story Bag from old clothes with FROMSTOCK and carutena
• World’s first hat upcycled from used plastic umbrellas
• UpcycleLino: upcycling waste fabric through circular design
• PLASTICITY and Cassina ixc. collaborates to produce bags from recycled materials
• 5 trending upcycling ideas in Japan
• Reviving clothes with black dye: Upcycled fashion brand FROMSTOCK
• Mondo Design upcycling: Imagining old tires into fashion bags
• New ethical eyewear maximizes plastic recycling tech for biodegradability
• Traditional Nara weaving upcycles fabric scraps into Caya woven bags
• Tototo: sustainable leather born from upcycling fish skin
• Global Work upcycles surplus fabric into shopping bags
• Esmod Japon students upcycling denim for sustainability

When we hear the term “sustainable fashion,” we often get the impression that it is somewhat good for the environment. If you take a closer look at each brand’s website, it becomes clear what their philosophy is, and what they strive to address.

Each individual who learns more about the issues in the fashion industry and the brands addressing them can help solve the underlying problems.