Japanese label CFCL’s S/S 2025 collection shows us that sustainable can be stylish, too

The Tokyo-based brand wowed audiences on the first day of Paris Fashion Week with its mastery of weaving together technology and traditional methods. 

In fashion, trends come and go—and come full circle again. But if there’s one trend we hope never fizzles out, that would be sustainable fashion. 

It’s heartening to see how fashion weeks have slowly but surely been pivoting toward more sustainable practices. London Fashion Week, for instance, had shows by eBay and Oxfam which exclusively featured secondhand pieces

One of the highlights of Rakuten Tokyo Fashion Week, meanwhile, was Telma’s spring/summer collection which featured pieces like tailored jackets made from 100% washi paper and skirts from a humble root crop called Konjac. Moreover, the label makes use of a special inkjet textile printer that drastically reduces the amount of water needed to produce a single garment.

Over in Paris, where the season-ending fashion week is ongoing, another Japanese brand is generating buzz for its innovative use of 3D computer programming.

Tokyo-based fashion house Clothing for Contemporary Life, more popularly known by its initials CFCL, wowed audiences on the first day of Paris Fashion Week last Sept 23, Monday, with its mastery of weaving together technology and traditional methods. 

CFCL showcased its Vol. 9 Collection at the Saut du Loup in Palais de Tokyo, marking its second runway show since joining the official Paris Fashion Week calendar in 2022. The collection was presented against vibrant citrusy hues, complemented by a soundtrack by the Slovenian trio Širom that blended ethnic and contemporary sounds—perfect for a collection that weaves together tradition with technology.

As expected from CFCL, the collection boasts a rich variety of garments which give us a peek into what the future could be like for sustainable fashion—one where clothing is not only worn but also connects one with nature.

The overall theme of the CFCL spring/summer 2025 collection is “Knit-Ware – Handbuilt,”which emphasizes the coming together of advanced 3D computer knitting techniques with traditional handcrafting. 

The highlight of its collection are pieces under the “Chusen” category—elegant Japanese silk dresses and exciting two-piece sets made with the eponymous traditional Japanese dyeing technique. Literally meaning “pouring dye,” chusen is a method in which the dye is poured onto layered wazarashi cotton, which is made from another traditional Japanese method of scouring, or the process of removing impurities such as grease, wax, minerals and similar substances from cotton fiber.

By using chusen, bold psychedelic patterns are created on the randomly folded fabrics. This vibrant clash of colors and textures go beyond aesthetics, it’s a reflection of the brand’s commitment to craftsmanship and creativity. 

Also featuring in the collection is the “Knikat” category, which is inspired by Southeast Asian ikat techniques and uses recycled polyester yarn to create vibrant, multi-colored designs, demonstrating the collection’s focus on sustainability.

Then there’s the “Flat-Crease” category, which is inspired by the flat ethnic costumes of African and Silk Road countries. The dresses are crafted using 2D seamless knitwear designed through 3D programming, resulting in a distinct fit and elegant drape that reflects the collection’s innovative approach to fashion without compromising comfort.

CFCL was established in 2020 by true blue Tokyoite designer Yusuke Takahashi, per the Rakuten Tokyo Fashion Week website. After graduating from Bunka Fashion Graduate University, he joined Miyake Design Studio in 2010, and was appointed as the designer of Issey Miyake Men in 2013, a position he held for six years before founding CFCL.

CFCL is known for its simplicity and responsibility, which are the cornerstones of the company’s philosophy. The label consists primarily of 3D, computer-developed knitwear for men and women, using certified, sustainable polyester yarns and state of the art technology resulting in products that are sophisticated as they are comfortable and easy to maintain.

CFCL’s computer-developed knitwear requires almost no cutting or sewing, which means lesser waste generated from its creative process, according to an article on The Japan News. The brand also uses recycled materials made from plastic bottles. These efforts helped CFCL become the first Japanese apparel maker to be a certified B Corporation, an international certification given to companies highly regarded as beneficial to the public.

Commenting on CFCL’s s/s 2025 collection, Takahashi says: “I hope [the CFCL collection] will be a starting point for people to juxtapose beauty and sustainability and also look at environmental issues.”

Watch CFCL’s Paris Fashion Week show in full:

The new lifestyle.