The < Premium Textile Japan 2021 Autumn/Winter > event, organised by JFW (Japan Fashion Week Organization)/Textile Division, will be held over November 18-19 at the Tokyo International Forum / Exhibition Hall E (Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo Prefecture) and will host 66 exhibitors this time.

This edition will see the launch of a new project: ‘JFW SUSTAINABILITY PROJECT’, targeting the enlightenment and promotion of sustainable textiles. We are delighted to introduce exhibitors dealing with sustainable fabrics.

« JFW SUSTAINABILITY PROJECT »

JFW will launch “JFW SUSTAINABILITY PROJECT” with an objective of enlightening and promoting sustainable textiles through JFW textile operation, as JFW agrees with the movement of sustainable society and earth environment to take an action with the textile industry concerned to contribute to this

SEA ISLAND CLUB (JAPAN) CO., LTD. <A-45>

Business on an integral SC scale

The SEA ISLAND CLUB, which used to exhibit at JFW-JC previously, is stepping up by joining PTJ; shifting from introducing fabrics to prioritizing negotiation with business in mind. Exhibits will centre on the Sea Island cotton-related items produced in New Mexico State, USA. They maintain an integral management system from the cultivation of cotton flowers, spinning and productization right up to traceability till shop front.

In sustainability terms, they have acquired the BCI (Better Cotton Initiative) certification, aiming to ease the environmental load and KONDO COTTON SPINNING CO., LTD.; responsible for their spinning process, is also a BCI member.

The local farmers who cultivate the sea island cotton on the Caribbean Sea are definitely not well off. Even so, the company enhances activities to support the economy and backs it up with an integral supply chain. In New Mexico, for example, they are working with local universities to boost quality, as well as focusing on cultivation.

Their comment reflects their high expectations of the in-person show: ‘We believe many visitors will recognise our premium quality by touching the materials directly.’

MARUSA CO., LTD. <A-52>

Presenting fabrics using MINO-WASHI and others

MARUSA belongs to the TORAY GROUP and deploys manufacturing that centres on the BISHU textile region. The stand-out feature is the originality of their fabrics using TORAY raw yarns and they are pleased to showcase sustainable items on this occasion.

Specialty items include: woven textiles made from MINO-WASH (approx. 50%); mixed weave with natural fibre, items using twisted union yarn and including natural fibre, alongside textiles using recycled polyester and originally made from plastic bottles. Another wide-ranging line-up is to be showcased, with 100% recycled polyester, a blend with PTT (polyethylene terephthalate) for higher stretchability and compound fabrics with a natural fibre. Slightly brushed (raised) items designed for autumn and winter season will also go on show. In the HOKURIKU textile region meanwhile, PTT-related textiles and filaments using recycled yarns from plastic bottles have been developed and widely deployed.

‘Although we organised private exhibitions, they were postponed due to COVID-19 issues, which meant planning delays for customers, which is why we intend to relaunch firm propositions and cultivate new customers,’ they explained.

SANYO SENKO CO., LTD. <A-23>

Proposing environmentally aware manufacturing

SANYO SENKO manufactures with the need to protect the environment in mind and biggie processing is a method that minimises the use of water and chemical agents by applying washer finishing for preprocessing. This is done by their subsidiary, KOJIMA FACTORY, which is also a member of the KURASHIKIZOME Promotion Committee.

To deal with organic cotton fabrics, they apply high-security processing technique, leveraging KURASHIKIZOME to comply with the ZDHC list by pursuing not only environmental safety (for agricultural land) and workers, but also the textiles they produce. For the < Tencel > lyocell fabrics, a gradational discharge is applied after indigo dyeing, which paves the way for expression through a range of concentrations, applicable to cotton and/or linen. Recovery equipment for caustic soda is also implemented.

‘Given COVID-19, we have been operating online and sending swatches to customers for negotiations. We really look forward to the in-person show, since direct negotiations with customers were infeasible amid ongoing travel restrictions to other prefectures,’ they commented with much anticipation.

MORIKIKU CO., LTD. <A-32>

Showcasing < NATURE & SONS >

‘< NATURE & SONS > items, introduced at PTJ last year, were highly acclaimed.’ MORIKIKU from Aichi Prefecture will be repeatedly presenting its fabric brand < NATURE & SONS >, highly inspired by SDGs and including around 50 signature items, promoting organic cotton above all.

They have acquired the ‘GOTS’ certification as an organic textile global standard for the yarns used in their organic cotton fabric, most of which are Turkish/Indian in origin. A compound organic cotton textile will also go on show alongside <Tencel> - Lyocell, featuring regenerated fibre in the form of recycled polyester and nylon.

‘With COVID-19 in mind, we refrained from travelling outside our prefecture, but the situation has calmed down to some extent. Engaging in business through telephone and sample expeditions was never enough, so we really look forward to the PTJ physical exhibition, where we can meet customers face to face. Although customers still hold stocks, despite difficulties before proceeding to develop new products, we continue to present < NATURE & SONS > in the same way,’ as our contribution to a sustainable society.

TORAY INDUSTRIES, INC. <B-69>

Refining environmentally friendly textiles

TORAY has long been working to develop textiles that include environmental considerations and will showcase a portion of plant-based products including a plant-derived raw material known as < ecodear®> alongside <Ecouse®>, a recycled textile, produced using film and fibrous waste as raw materials in the recycled category.

Also on show will be a portion of plant-based and recycled fibre types alongside the suede-like artificial leather <Ultrasuede®>.

‘Around two years have elapsed since buyers of note started showing interest in sustainable textiles in Japan and quite a few US and European buyers had already been considering sustainable fabrics as must-have items for several years.’ From this perspective, they have high expectations of the new JFW SUSTAINABILITY PROJECT, which would enhance interest on the part of visitors more than ever.

Three of TORAY’s departments - ULTRASUEDE Dept., Ladies’ & Menswear Fabrics Dept. and Sportswear & Clothing Materials Dept. - are set to showcase sustainable fabrics alongside new collections, each based on a seasonal theme.

KURASHIKIZOME <C-62>

Enhancing dyeing based on safety and security

The Okayama Prefectural Textile Dyeing Industries’ Association established the KURASHIKIZOME Promotion Committee in April 2018, reflecting its awareness of < Safety, Security, Ecology and SDGs > (Sustainable Development Goals). Although restrictions on the use of formalin or specific aromatic amine-related products exist in Japan, there are no such global standards as ZDHC (Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals).

Accordingly, the association has implemented original finishing standards in compliance with the hazardous chemical list indicated by ZDHC and certifies textile products which do not retain or emit toxic substances at each stage of the process at finishing factories as < KURASHIKIZOME >. They participated in JFW-JC last November and will make their debut at PTJ, aiming to boost recognition and focusing on business negotiations.

They have been constantly working on sustainability by setting up a Meister System with six companies, updating the list of toxic substances and sharing case studies to boost quality. The NISSENKEN QUALITY EVALUATION CENTER operates quality inspections as a third-party institution.

JFW JAPAN CREATION 2021 Outline >>>

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Preventive measures against COVID-19 infection

Please note that we will prepare for the November shows in accordance with regulations and guidance for public health and safety to prevent COVID-19, as set out by the government, Tokyo Prefecture and the Japan Exhibition Association.

Preventation Measures against Novel Coronavirus　＞＞＞

Photo:JFW Textile show 2020AW