On July 20, 2026 (Mon, Holiday), an edutainment event where parents and children can experience sustainability, "Sustaina Runway 2026," will be held at Denso Hall in Shibuya.

Through the runway, we want children to enjoy self-expression in their own way, experience sustainable fashion, and create their own forms of happiness. We want them to take a confident step towards the future. This is the sentiment behind holding this event.

Furthermore, to deliver sustainable education through fashion, with the cooperation of 7 sustainable brands and a flower artist, we will hold a sustainable brand show, a bag show, a flower show, and an "exchange event" with 86 children. We will also implement a "Reuse Runway" where they can enjoy coordinating outfits remade from exchanged clothes or their parents' clothes, connecting from parent to child.

In response to the worsening issue of clothing waste, the aim is for the next generation of children to deepen their understanding of environmental protection while having fun through "remaking" and "expression." On the first day of summer vacation, we will provide a space where parents and children can creatively experience the "choice not to discard."

◆Third Event Due to Popular Demand

The Japan Model Runway Association, which produces runway events, will host "Sustaina Runway 2026" at Denso Hall in Shibuya on July 20, 2026. This will be the third event, following 2023 and 2025, and has been well-received as a parent-child experience.

Scenes from the daytime session of "Sustaina Runway 2026"

Kids performing on the runway with smiles Parents and children participating in the clothing exchange event <Excerpts from the 2025 Performer Survey>

Wearing the clothes I received at the exchange event, being able to stand on stage with my favorite stuffed animal was an unforgettable memory. (13-year-old girl)

I was happy that the outgrown clothes were beautifully remade and used. It was also fun to see how everyone else remade their clothes, and I thought it was a great idea to send the leftover clothes and mementos to Southeast Asia. (13-year-old girl, mother)

It was very educational as it gave us an opportunity to learn about sustainability as a family and think about what we can do.

My child said they had a lot of fun learning various walking methods. (10-year-old girl, mother)

◆Deepen Children's "Uniqueness" and "Self-Expression" Through the Experience of Standing in Front of Others

In my 16 years of teaching children, I've noticed an increasing number of children who only try to conform to others and don't know their own uniqueness. Knowing one's "uniqueness" comes from self-expression. In light of this situation, we decided to hold a runway event where children can shine in their own way, with model instructors teaching them expressiveness and smiles, allowing them to stand confidently on stage.

◆Summer Parent-Child Experiential Environmental Education Where "Learning" Becomes "Fun"

Instead of just wearing clothes, by having children try upcycling themselves and confidently walking in clothes they've arranged and designed, we aim to shift the perception from "sustainability = sacrifice" to "sustainability = cool and fun." We also aim to foster deeper communication and increase sustainable choices by having parents and children cooperate. The summer sustainable runway experience is an edutainment that can also be used for independent research.

Sustaina Runway 2026 Key Visual

◆Highlight! Sustaina Runway Where You Shine in Your Own Way

【Highlight 1】

"Kids & Little Reuse Runway" where "unwanted clothes" shine again on stage ~Connecting Sentiments, Connecting Clothes, Connecting Future~ will be held.

Children were challenged to coordinate their show costumes using clothes exchanged at the "clothing exchange event" or their parents' clothes, arranged by themselves.

From parent to child, and from friend to me. On stage, these warm sentiments will be passed on with a "yarn baton." Please pay attention to the children's efforts in cherishing clothes, enjoying self-expression in their own way, and their unique styling.

A portion of the clothes collected at the clothing exchange event will be donated to children in facilities for the disabled and orphanages in Thailand through the volunteer group "Asia Recycle Contribution Activities."

【Highlight 2】

A sustainable brand runway will be held, featuring 7 sustainable brands. These 7 brands, who resonate with our desire to increase the number of people living sustainably, are all working with passion and dedication towards sustainable fashion. Please enjoy a sustainable fashion show focused on sustainability.

【Highlight 3】

On the same day as "Sustaina Runway 2026," the "Upcycle Kids' Clothing Project" hosted by Onward Holdings Co., Ltd. will be held. The "Upcycle Kids' Clothing Project" is an initiative where the company uses collected clothing to create children's clothes designed with children's rich imagination. It is a project that fosters children's confidence through a fashion show wearing the completed garments. This project aims to teach parents and children about upcycling in a fun way and foster their bond. In the upcycling workshop, children will imagine the clothes they want to wear, and parents will remake them under the guidance of Onward's designers and pattern makers. The children will then appear in a fashion show wearing the clothes they made.

【Participating Brands in Sustaina Runway】

"AKITSU chemi akutami" (Akitsu)

An artist and fashion designer whose works, primarily arrangements of kimonos, have been presented in collections in Paris, Milan, London, Monaco, and Geneva.

https://akitsu.tokyo/

"ETHICAL CONNECTIONS"

Delivering ethical items from around the world to Japan. Featuring only the finest ethical brands.

Items are ethically manufactured through sustainable and socially responsible processes, ensuring peace of mind.

https://ethicalconnections.jp/?srsltid=AfmBOoraj8_LOvWyHsWq0zpLYyf5ALFruHp0dy23WuEoLfiR6874onHz

"liberté E"

A denim remake brand that deconstructs used denim and reconstructs it. Each item is unique, with its own distinct character, created with original designs from scratch.

https://www.instagram.com/liberte.e_?igsh=MWw2czl0YjlobGozdA==

"man〜ma" (Manma)

A creative atelier "Yosai Kyoshitsu Manma" where ideals are sewn into reality, away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. A style that follows intuition, unbound by rules. A brand that enjoys sustainable self-expression starting from a single piece of clothing.

https://www.instagram.com/manma_soma?igsh=dWFlZm1teWliM3Jw

"KasuRekids"

A sustainable brand of children's clothing that combines Japanese tradition with modern design.

Uses natural materials that are gentle on the skin. "International standard organic cotton" is used.

https://kasurekids.jp

"KALOKUMA"

A Japanese original brand by designer Maki Amano. Currently creating a wide range of costumes and dresses, including kimonos, for various generations from children to adults, without being confined to a specific genre. With bases in New York and Canada as well as Japan, the brand is active globally. The concept is "clothes that allow the wearer to become the protagonist."

https://www.kalokumaonline.com/

"Eco Craft Bag"

Eco-friendly bags created by Akemi Furuki, director of Pururu Kobo.

Made from environmentally friendly materials, 100% domestically sourced recycled paper, including recycled grain bags and milk cartons. These bags are surprisingly durable for paper products, flexible compared to bamboo or rattan, and safe and gentle to handle with a crafting feel.

This show was made possible with the cooperation of Vogue Gakuen, which offers numerous handmade courses.

https://www.instagram.com/pururu_koubou/

"HANA JENNU"

"HANA JENNU" by florist Chisato Tachibana is a human decoration project where flowers are boldly arranged on the head, integrating plants and humans. It aims to make people shine more beautifully with the energy of flowers, leave the best memories for special moments, and captivate viewers. A flower runway will be held where people wear flowers.

https://www.instagram.com/chisato.flower0603/

Miho Funatsu, Representative Director, General Incorporated Association Japan Model Runway Association

<Miho Funatsu Profile>

Began modeling at age 15, appearing in magazines, shows, and TV. Later transitioned to model instruction, with 16 years of experience. She has trained numerous models who went on to have successful careers in overseas collections, advertisements, and magazines, instructing a total of over 30,000 people. From 2010, she spent 5 years volunteering to learn fashion show production from scratch, and since 2015, she has been producing large-scale kids' runway events for 3,000 people for 11 years. She collaborates with model instructors in 16 cities nationwide to nurture kids' models across the country.

In 2024, she was appointed as a Regional Revitalization Advisor by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, and she is involved in runway projects and children's education that contribute to local communities.

Through this runway, we want to expose people to sustainable education and create an event filled with smiles for both adults and children. We also aim to increase the number of confident children brimming with smiles across Japan.

【Event Overview】

Name: "Sustaina Runway 2026" ~Finding Happiness in Being True to Yourself~

Venue: Shibuya Cultural Center Owada, Denso Hall

23-21 Sakuragaoka-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0031

Date: July 20, 2026 (Mon, Holiday)

Daytime Session: 13:00-15:15 (Doors open 12:30)

Evening Session: 18:00-20:10 (Doors open 17:30)

Content: Daytime Session

Part 1: "Onward Upcycle Kids' Clothing Project" Connecting the Future of Fashion Through Upcycling ~The Future of Clothes is in the Hands of Children~

Upcycle runway show where children and parents upcycle collected clothing and appear in costumes they made.

Part 2: "Sustaina Kids & Little Reuse Runway" ~Connecting Sentiments, Connecting Clothes, Connecting Future~

Children will showcase on the runway in coordinated outfits from the clothing exchange event and clothes passed down from parents to children! Leftover clothes from the exchange event will be donated to children in Southeast Asia.

Evening Session: Sustainable Brand Show featuring 7 brands, Flower Show by Chisato Tachibana

Tickets: Daytime Session: Adults ¥4,900 / Children ¥3,000 (15 years and under) Evening Session: ¥4,900 / Children ¥3,000 (15 years and under)

<Participating Brands>

・AKITSU

・Ethical Connections

・liberté E

・man〜ma

・KasuRekids

・KALOKUMA

<Cooperation>

BEST KIDS AUDTION https://audition.photoreco.com/

Magazine "Stamaga★Fille" https://www.stamagafille.com/

Vogue Gakuen https://www.voguegakuen.com

※If you wish to cover this event, please contact the [Contact Information] below.

【Contact Information】

Miho Funatsu, Representative Director, General Incorporated Association Japan Model Runway Association

TEL: 03-6848-6022 Mail: sustaina.runway@gmail.com

HP https://sustainarunway.studio.site

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/japan.model.runway

Miho Funatsu Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mipopo340

We will invite you to the event if you wish to cover it.

Please let us know which session you would like to cover, as the content differs between the daytime and evening sessions.

We can also accommodate interviews if you are unable to attend in person.

FACT BOX

  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: Event
  • Organizations: AKITSU chemi akutami / ETHICAL CONNECTIONS / liberté E