Kenya’s popular upcycled kimono has arrived in Japan for the first time! SHIFT80 will hold a pop-up store “Kimono Meets Africa Re-created Kimono” from February 15th to 20th at Palette Gallery in Azabu Juban
Kotatsu Co., Ltd. Press release: February 4, 2025 Kenya’s popular upcycled kimono has arrived in Japan for the first time! SHIFT80 will hold a pop-up store “Kimono Meets Africa Re-created Kimono” from February 15th to 20th at Palette Gallery in Azabu Juban We will exhibit and sell unique upcycled items that are a cross between Kenya, Africa’s largest importer of used clothing, and Japan’s aesthetic sense and kimono culture. Japanese kimonos and Kenyan used clothes that were supposed to be thrown away are being reborn with new value.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/36326/26/36326-26-0db88eb79e912b357f67bb475908ee05-1909×2700.jpg Tokyo Pop-up & Exhibition “Kimono Meets Africa Re-created Kimono” Key Visual The ethical creative collective “SHIFT80” operated by Kotatsu Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Hinode-cho, Nishitama-gun, Tokyo, Co-CEO: Migi Sakata) will be open from Saturday, February 15, 2025 to February 20, 2025. “Tokyo Pop-up & Exhibition ‘Kimono Meets Africa Re-created Kimono'” will be held at Palette Gallery in Azabu-Juban, Tokyo on Thursday (Thursday). We will be holding a At this pop-up, SHIFT80’s new collection of upcycled kimonos, which have gained attention and popularity in Kenya, will be unveiled for the first time in Japan. This is an attempt to combine Kenya’s abundant second-hand clothing and traditional Japanese kimono in collaboration with Kenya’s talented designers and craftsmen. Why “Kimono Meets Africa” now? Kimono that is rarely worn in Japan × Used clothes sent in large quantities to Kenya Kenya is Africa’s largest importer of used clothing, with large amounts of used clothing flowing in from all over the world, including Japan. Based on this background, SHIFT80 aims to breathe new life into kimonos that are rarely worn in Japan and old clothes destined for disposal in Kenya, creating new possibilities for sustainable fashion. We are aiming for In addition to one-of-a-kind upcycled kimono items, we also plan to sell items such as pouches and bags made with African refugees, and upcycled earrings made from waste paper made in Eswatini, Southern Africa. Visitors can also participate in a mini tea party where they can enjoy Kenyan tea. You can experience the fusion of Africa and Japan with all five senses while relaxing.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/36326/26/36326-26-732e2b812b09d926b5e10bf0da517ee7-1080×1350.jpg Upcycled items combining Japanese kimono and Kenyan second-hand clothes SHIFT80 initiatives to create synergies between Japan and Kenya SHIFT80 will hold the “SHIFT80 Design Prize” in December 2024 to create opportunities for young designers living in Kenya. This competition, which attracted applications from three African countries, became a hot topic and was featured on Kenyan national broadcaster KBC and the oldest newspaper, The Standard. This time’s “Kimono Meets Africa” is an attempt to further evolve the fashion collaboration between Japan and Africa that SHIFT80 has cultivated. Experience the possibilities created by co-creation between Africa and Japan through fashion.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/36326/26/36326-26-7eef8087c636f030ce4c6cf2e3b4c12e-3900×2600.jpg Fashion designers who participated in SHIFT80 Design Prize Event details • Date: February 15, 2025 (Saturday) to February 20, 2025 (Thursday) • Time: 11:00-19:00 • *From 13:00 on the 15th, until 17:00 on the last day • Venue: Palette Gallery (2-9-4 Azabujuban, Minato-ku, Tokyo) • Access: 3 minutes walk from Azabujuban Station (Tokyo Metro Namboku Line Exit 4 / Toei Oedo Line Exit 7) • Free admission/no reservations required About SHIFT80 SHIFT80 is an ethical creative collective that works to solve social issues through fashion. Based on the philosophy of “shifting the world by sharing 80% of surplus profits with those in need”, which is the origin of the brand’s name, we provide a place of learning for poor children in Kenya and women in difficult situations. We support us. In addition, in order to address the social problems caused by the large quantities of used clothing sent from developed countries to Africa, we are creating new value by upcycling used clothing in collaboration with Kenyan designers and tailors. Additionally, young people from Nairobi’s Kibera slum are used as models, giving them the opportunity to become role models in their local communities. This creates an opportunity to positively change not only fashion, but also people’s awareness and behavior. ・Online store: https://shift80.jp/ ・Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/shift80jp/

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