By Joanne Higgins
Atsushi Nakashima, protégé of Jean Paul Gaultier and former winner of the 20th Onward Fashion Grand Prix, began thinking differently after three years of health problems led him to a new awareness of environmental issues. Realising that the environmental problems and his health concerns were linked he could no longer create a collection knowing that it would simply add to the already precipitous issue of fashion and the environment. “I have started to think that creating my collection itself may expedite ecological destruction, such as the
mass disposal of clothing.”
Observing that this was not just, “other people’s problem to solve,” the designer decided to launch a new ‘Circularity Project’ in tandem with his brand ATSUSHI NAKASHIMA.
“Through this project, I learned that my clothes could be renewable and that I could create high-design pieces with recycled materials from my past collections.”
“Through this project, I learned that my clothes could be renewable and that I could create high-design pieces with recycled materials from my past collections.” The ‘Circularity Project’ collection is a new experience of fashion, a new way for all the people who love fashion to enjoy it with integrity. “I hope that more people who attend our show get interested in circularity and in taking a part in it.”
While it is not always possible to use 100% recycled clothes, it is an important new departure in the way we design and consume fashion. “This show is the first step of our project to raise environmental issues in the world. I’m trying to reduce pressure on the environment and running to the goal eventually.”
The apparel brand [ATSUSHI NAKASHIMA] will be reborn as a brand that addresses environmental issues for our collective future:
• Materials will be primarily recycled, or made from plant-derived
polylactic acid, and waste materials from past collections.
•. The “ATSUSHI NAKASHIMA” style will be maintained while working on sustainability.
•. The latest look uses an NFC (Near field communication) chip as a digital touch point
“I have started to think that creating my collection itself may expedite ecological destruction, such as the
mass disposal of clothing.”
The ‘Circularity Project’ collection is a new experience of fashion, a new way for all the people who love fashion to enjoy it with integrity.
Credits
With thanks to ATSUSHI NAKASHIMA @atsushi.nakashima
Press / INTERNATIONAL – MAXIMILIAN LINZ @maximilian-linz-press-public-relations
