Setouchi Mirai Design Co., Ltd. (Head office: Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture, Representative Director Noda Karin Setouchi Future Design) and General Incorporated Association HAP-lab (Headquarters : Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture, Representative Director: Maki HAP-B , a Type B employment support facility run by Shigeyo Maki (hereinafter referred to as HAP-lab ), is pleased to announce that it will begin co-developing and selling wall hangings, mats and other interior items made using the sakiori technique, which reuses kimono fabric, with Re:ADY B , an ethical fashion brand run by Setouchi Mirai Design that upcycles kimono fabric that was on the verge of being discarded.
About Re:ADY B
" Re:ADY B " was born as a project to upcycle kimonos, obi, and other items estimated to be lying dormant throughout Japan worth 40 trillion yen, creating new value, and aiming to accelerate the resolution of the following social issues.
- Solving the problem of kimono disposal
While contributing to a reduction in the amount of clothing waste, which is estimated at 500,000 tons per year, we also hope to preserve Japanese culture through upcycling and promote the creation of a sustainable society. - Employment support for people with disabilities
In cooperation with Type B employment support businesses, we have established a fair payment system based on the results of work. We provide the joy of working and the opportunity to improve skills. - Preserving and promoting Japanese culture
In cooperation with TocoLab, we will collect kimonos and obi from Hiroshima Prefecture and distribute products that combine tradition and modern design both domestically and internationally. - Reforming women's work styles : All of the core members of " Re:ADY B " are women raising children. As life events such as marriage and childbirth can affect women's careers, the company promotes flexible work styles that fit each individual's lifestyle as a way to reform the way women work.
Background of the collaboration
ReADY B is a brand based on the concept of reviving traditional kimono fabric into modern fashion items. Meanwhile, HAP-B is a B- type business that promotes manufacturing that utilizes local resources, with people of diverse personalities at their disposal. The overlapping philosophies of the two companies led to this collaboration.
New Product Features
The wall hangings this time are made using the "sakiori" technique, in which kimonos that have outlived their usefulness are torn apart and woven by hand. HAP-B carries out the entire process from tearing the kimonos to weaving them, and Setouchi Mirai Design will be creating products for different purposes, so that a lineup that meets a variety of needs will be developed.
This technique creates one-of-a-kind art pieces that breathe new life into the kimono while retaining its delicate colors and texture.
What is "Sakiori"?
"Sakiori" is a traditional technique in which old kimonos and fabrics that are about to be discarded are torn into thin strips and then rewoven into new fabric. Originally developed as a way to avoid wasting limited resources, it is now attracting attention as a form of recycled art that contributes to sustainable lifestyles. By weaving the torn fabric, a unique texture, warmth, and individuality that can only be achieved by a one-of-a-kind item are created. 
Social impact
This project not only contributes to the preservation of traditional culture and waste reduction, but also allows us to contribute to society together with the HAP-B members as our collaborative artists, while providing purchasers with unique products that have a story and a warm atmosphere, rather than just being interior decoration.
Future developments
The first products are scheduled to go on sale in spring 2025. Going forward, we plan to sell them at exhibitions and online stores both in Japan and overseas, and also plan to promote their use as interior decoration for hotels and companies through B2B . We will continue to expand our product lineup that proposes sustainable lifestyles.
About HAP-lab General Incorporated Association
Company name : General Incorporated Association HAP-lab
Address : 2nd floor, Muraoka Building, 4-1 Hashimoto-cho, Naka-ku, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture
Representative : Representative Director Maki Shigeyo
URL: https://artspace-hap.com/
