My research on Japanese hemp began in 2018 when I was in search of environmentally friendly materials for textiles. In Japan, hemp fiber has been utilized since the Jomon period, holding significant historical and cultural importance. Throughout my research, which involved studying the artisanal practices of hemp-producing communities in Iwashima, Tochigi, and Tsukigase, Japan, I discovered connections with essential concepts such as decentralized production, resilience, and cultural memory. These concepts hold great potential for modern fashion production, offering alternative models for sustainable fashion practices and fostering knowledge exchange between fashion designers and artisans.
By learning from these practices, fashion designers can play a vital role in proposing new methods that align with sustainable development, emphasizing the intangible values embodied in the relationships between producers, products, consumers, and the environment (Arana, 2021).
Based on this research, I published the article titled "Rediscovering Japanese Hemp Culture as a Design Practice for Sustainable Fashion." that you can find here
Zero Waste Hemp Dress.
Fabric woven at the Bunka Research Lab for Fashion Textiles, 文化・ファッションテキスタイル研究所, in Hachioji. The fabric is made with a blend of hemp yarn and cotton, utilizing zero-waste pattern technique and cyanotype dye.