When Japanese Tradition Inspires Contemporary Fashion

From 3 to 5 February 2026, the new edition of Première Vision Paris will spotlight the theme “Territories of Savoir-faire”, with a special focus on the craftsmanship of France, Portugal, and Japan. The various aspect of the heritage and craftsmanship of the country will be expressed through two key initiatives.

Breathing New Life into Forgotten Kimonos At the heart of this project lies a powerful concept: upcycling. High-quality kimonos, that could have been left behind, are transformed into modern creations shaped by the vision of emerging talent. These fabrics come from M Trade Co., Ltd., a Japanese company specializing in the reuse of second-hand goods. Thanks to this initiative, hundreds of kimonos—silk, cotton, linen, polyester, or rayon—have been given a second life.

An International Collaboration Fueled by Creativity

•    At Polimoda, nearly 80 to 100 kimonos crossed borders to reach the Florentine ateliers, where Italian students embraced the challenge: weaving Japanese identity into contemporary silhouettes.
• At Voutrail (Osaka Bunka), selected designers chose the kimono that best matched their concept, transforming it into a one-of-a-kind piece.

This approach celebrates the richness of cultural exchange and the strength of collaboration between two iconic schools.

A Story of Trust and Shared Vision

The project builds on a relationship spanning over 20 years between the Japanese teams and Polimoda. After an initial partnership around Kojima denim, interrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic, the focus shifted to Japanese traditions and their global resonance. From this pause emerged a bold ambition: to create projects that honor cultural identity while sparking worldwide creativity.

Beyond Fashion: A Cultural and Sustainable Manifesto The Kimono Upcycling Project pursues three key objectives: • Celebrate Japanese culture by immersing students in the beauty and symbolism of kimonos. •  Foster innovation and trend creation through exchanges between Italian and Japanese designers. •  Address sustainability challenges by repurposing unused textiles and giving them a new life.

This exhibition is more than a display of collections—it’s an invitation to reflect on how ancestral savoir-faire can shape the future of fashion. Between heritage and modernity, tradition and boldness, the Kimono Upcycling Project embodies an inspiring and responsible vision.

Japan Exhibitors Collection — Enhancing the visibility of Japanese exhibitors

The Japan Exhibitors Collection offers a curated overview of Japanese textile companies exhibiting at the show, making them easier to identify for international buyers, designers, and industry professionals. This initiative aims to strengthen the global visibility of Japanese textile companies, while highlighting the diversity of production regions, technical expertise, and industrial specialities across Japan.

VR Experience — Focus on Japanese Wool from Bishu

JFWO will present an immersive virtual reality experience dedicated to Japanese wool, with a special focus on the Bishu region, internationally renowned for its wool industry. Following the previous VR experience unveiled at the February edition of Première Vision Paris, which highlighted Japanese denim, this new content continues JFWO’s exploration of Japan’s textile regions through immersive storytelling. Through rare and exclusive footage captured inside local factories and production sites, visitors will be able to explore the manufacturing processes of Japanese wool and gain an in-depth understanding of Bishu’s industrial heritage, craftsmanship, and innovation. ▶ Discover feedback from visitors who experienced the previous VR content.

JFW NEW CREATOR AWARD (NCA) — Material-driven award winning collections

As part of its commitment to nurturing the next generation of talent in the textile and fashion industries, JFWO has launched a new competition: the JFW NEW CREATOR AWARD (NCA). Based on the concept “Fabric in Pursuit of Desired Form”, this is a mission-driven competition in which participants are challenged to develop a design story starting from a designated theme material. For this edition, the competition adopts a material-driven approach, focusing on denim and wool. Out of 1,309 applications, 15 selected works that passed both the first and second selection rounds were presented at Tokyo Textile Scope Autumn-Winter 2026. Among them, the Grand Prize, Excellence Award, and Special Award winners are showcased at the JFWO booth at Première Vision Paris.

The Grand Prize-winning designer is also invited by Première Vision Paris, offering a unique opportunity to experience the professional fashion market firsthand and engage directly with the global textile and fashion industry.