ORIHICA, Manchester Metropolitan University, and Flex Japan Launch Industry-Academia Collaboration Project: Innerwear to Pair with BIZSPO® Set-ups
ORIHICA, a brand developed by AOKI Inc., has launched an industry-academia collaboration project with students from Manchester Metropolitan University's Faculty of Arts and Humanities and Flex Japan Corporation. The project aimed to support young designers by having them create innerwear to match ORIHICA's popular 'BIZSPO®' business-casual set-ups. The commercialized designs from two students will be available exclusively on the ORIHICA official online store starting April 15, 2026.
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- 📰 Published: April 15, 2026 at 23:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 15, 2026 at 14:31
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AOKI Inc. (President: Akihiro Aoki), through its brand 'ORIHICA,' has launched an industry-academia collaboration project with students from the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at Manchester Metropolitan University in the UK and Flex Japan Corporation. This initiative is based on one of ORIHICA's management principles, "the pursuit of public interest," and aims to support the development of promising young designers who will lead the fashion industry. Designs were created under the theme of innerwear to be paired with ORIHICA's popular "BIZSPO®" set-up series. Now, the ideas from two students have been commercialized.
These products will be sold exclusively on the ORIHICA official online shop from Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
ORIHICA Online Shop URL: https://x.gd/ndA0o
▲ Design proposals from the two students
■ An Industry-Academia Collaboration Project Fusing Japanese and British Sensibilities
In this project, student designers learned the process of translating ideas into concrete product designs by going through the entire flow from Japanese market research to design planning, considering what kind of designs, functionality, and styling to combine. As work styles continue to diversify, a design contest was held with the theme of innerwear to pair with ORIHICA's popular "BIZSPO®" set-ups, which are suitable for both on and off-duty wear. Twenty students participated, redefining the fusion of business and sports. With a global perspective and the flexible, original sensibilities unique to students, various ideas were born that could revolutionize the concept of business-casual wear.
In addition to harmony with "BIZSPO®" and design appeal, factors such as convenience and practicality as a product, consistency with ORIHICA's brand concept, and overall balance were considered, leading to the selection of two students' designs. They were commercialized with the cooperation of Flex Japan Corporation. These products will be available for limited sale on the ORIHICA official online shop starting Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
Moving forward, ORIHICA will continue to contribute to the development of the next generation of creators who will lead the fashion industry, strive for the industry's further advancement, and leverage the integration of Japanese-British creativity and Japanese manufacturing technology for unique product development.
ORIHICA & Manchester University & Flex Japan Industry-Academia Co-Developed Product
■ Design by Siena Bamford
A standout piece featuring asymmetrically placed large patch pockets with flaps on the front and a dynamic fish-motif illustration printed on the lower back. Brown piping is applied to the inside of the collar and pockets, and this line, visible in fleeting moments, gives a sense of unity to the overall design. It fuses the sensibilities of business wear and street art.
Product Name: Printed Shirt
Material: [Main Fabric] 100% Cotton
Sizes: M-LL
Color: Blue
Price (incl. tax): ¥25,300
【Comment from Siena Bamford】
Until now, I have mainly designed skirts and dresses and haven't been very involved with men's shirts. I was anxious, but I saw this project as a big challenge for me and a chance to broaden my design style. The points I was particular about in the design are the collar and sleeves. This design, which has an illusory effect as if two garments are layered, was inspired by skateboarders and fishermen layering their clothes. I'm excited to see how customers will react when it's sold at ORIHICA and they pick it up. Through this experience, my desire to work in a different cultural sphere in the future has grown even stronger. I am confident that deepening my understanding of the system from concept building to design production and product sales will definitely be useful in the future. I am very proud and grateful to have been involved in this project.
■ Design by Anthony Morris
Its main feature is a crazy-paving pattern combining multiple different striped fabrics. The front expresses visual movement by incorporating diagonal lines in addition to straight-line switches, while the back features large curved switches, creating a composition like a work of art. By unifying the whole in tones of blue and white, it maintains an elegant and clean impression despite the complex switches.
Product Name: Switched Design Shirt
Material: [Main Fabric] 100% Cotton
Sizes: M-LL
Color: Blue
Price (incl. tax): ¥30,800
【Comment from Anthony Morris】
The most difficult part of creating the design was considering it with retail sales in mind. Until now, I've focused on how faithfully I could produce something to a concept, but this time I had to understand consumer needs from market research and adjust accordingly. It was by no means easy, but it was a valuable experience, and the work of refining the design was very rewarding. Being able to witness the process of the shirt I designed being commercialized by professionals was very inspiring. I felt immense joy seeing the design I created with pride actually take shape as a product. I want to use this experience to deepen my knowledge of menswear design and portfolio presentation, and use it as a stepping stone to work for a company I admire in the future. Japan is a country I have a deep affection for, and its culture is very interesting, so I want to explore the Japanese market further.
※Please note that the content of this press release is as of the time of announcement and may differ from the latest information.
d11795-1167-b3b1928cc01fcc85a82b27bb9f2aff8b.pdf
These products will be sold exclusively on the ORIHICA official online shop from Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
ORIHICA Online Shop URL: https://x.gd/ndA0o
▲ Design proposals from the two students
■ An Industry-Academia Collaboration Project Fusing Japanese and British Sensibilities
In this project, student designers learned the process of translating ideas into concrete product designs by going through the entire flow from Japanese market research to design planning, considering what kind of designs, functionality, and styling to combine. As work styles continue to diversify, a design contest was held with the theme of innerwear to pair with ORIHICA's popular "BIZSPO®" set-ups, which are suitable for both on and off-duty wear. Twenty students participated, redefining the fusion of business and sports. With a global perspective and the flexible, original sensibilities unique to students, various ideas were born that could revolutionize the concept of business-casual wear.
In addition to harmony with "BIZSPO®" and design appeal, factors such as convenience and practicality as a product, consistency with ORIHICA's brand concept, and overall balance were considered, leading to the selection of two students' designs. They were commercialized with the cooperation of Flex Japan Corporation. These products will be available for limited sale on the ORIHICA official online shop starting Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
Moving forward, ORIHICA will continue to contribute to the development of the next generation of creators who will lead the fashion industry, strive for the industry's further advancement, and leverage the integration of Japanese-British creativity and Japanese manufacturing technology for unique product development.
ORIHICA & Manchester University & Flex Japan Industry-Academia Co-Developed Product
■ Design by Siena Bamford
A standout piece featuring asymmetrically placed large patch pockets with flaps on the front and a dynamic fish-motif illustration printed on the lower back. Brown piping is applied to the inside of the collar and pockets, and this line, visible in fleeting moments, gives a sense of unity to the overall design. It fuses the sensibilities of business wear and street art.
Product Name: Printed Shirt
Material: [Main Fabric] 100% Cotton
Sizes: M-LL
Color: Blue
Price (incl. tax): ¥25,300
【Comment from Siena Bamford】
Until now, I have mainly designed skirts and dresses and haven't been very involved with men's shirts. I was anxious, but I saw this project as a big challenge for me and a chance to broaden my design style. The points I was particular about in the design are the collar and sleeves. This design, which has an illusory effect as if two garments are layered, was inspired by skateboarders and fishermen layering their clothes. I'm excited to see how customers will react when it's sold at ORIHICA and they pick it up. Through this experience, my desire to work in a different cultural sphere in the future has grown even stronger. I am confident that deepening my understanding of the system from concept building to design production and product sales will definitely be useful in the future. I am very proud and grateful to have been involved in this project.
■ Design by Anthony Morris
Its main feature is a crazy-paving pattern combining multiple different striped fabrics. The front expresses visual movement by incorporating diagonal lines in addition to straight-line switches, while the back features large curved switches, creating a composition like a work of art. By unifying the whole in tones of blue and white, it maintains an elegant and clean impression despite the complex switches.
Product Name: Switched Design Shirt
Material: [Main Fabric] 100% Cotton
Sizes: M-LL
Color: Blue
Price (incl. tax): ¥30,800
【Comment from Anthony Morris】
The most difficult part of creating the design was considering it with retail sales in mind. Until now, I've focused on how faithfully I could produce something to a concept, but this time I had to understand consumer needs from market research and adjust accordingly. It was by no means easy, but it was a valuable experience, and the work of refining the design was very rewarding. Being able to witness the process of the shirt I designed being commercialized by professionals was very inspiring. I felt immense joy seeing the design I created with pride actually take shape as a product. I want to use this experience to deepen my knowledge of menswear design and portfolio presentation, and use it as a stepping stone to work for a company I admire in the future. Japan is a country I have a deep affection for, and its culture is very interesting, so I want to explore the Japanese market further.
※Please note that the content of this press release is as of the time of announcement and may differ from the latest information.
d11795-1167-b3b1928cc01fcc85a82b27bb9f2aff8b.pdf