Explaining "Clothes that Return to the Soil" Born from Natural Materials & Traditional Techniques – The Zero-Waste Fashion Aspired by Japan's "WACRA"

The "Zero-Waste" movement, which started in 1996 in Canberra, Australia’s capital, aims to reduce waste to zero. It is one of the world’s most important initiatives, directly connecting to today's "sustainability" movement.
 
In Japan as well, a fashion brand aiming for zero-waste fashion is gaining attention. The brand "WACRA," develops and sells clothing using Japanese traditional culture's washi paper as thread, without using any petroleum-based synthetic fibers, creating garments that return to the soil when no longer needed.

In a crowdfunding campaign launched in October 2022, the modern take on the traditional Japanese happi coat, the "Washi Cotton Haori," gained widespread support for its concept and design, raising significantly more than its target amount.
 
This time, we interviewed Shin Akamatsu, the company's representative who has significant achievements in the fashion industry and established WACRA. We discussed clothes that return to the soil, the background of the brand’s establishment, and the future prospects with zero-waste in mind.