Diversity, 3R, and the Life of Clothes: Students Convey Sustainable Fashion Through Their Projects

The Chiba University Environmental ISO Student Committee (hereinafter, the Student Committee), in collaboration with ZOZO Co., Ltd. (hereinafter, ZOZO), has been implementing a joint project on the theme of "Fashion and Sustainability" since fiscal year 2022. On Monday, March 30, 2026, a report meeting for the fiscal year 2025 activities was held at ZOZO's head office.

*For details on this project, please click here

Overview of Fiscal Year 2025 Initiatives

This project commenced with an orientation held on November 11, 2025. On that day, 16 out of 22 project members for fiscal year 2025 visited ZOZO's head office, where they toured the company and received a business explanation, followed by a sharing of the project's objectives.

Subsequently, a brainstorming session was held on the theme of "Fashion and Sustainability," where students engaged in lively discussions about issues and questions they felt in their daily lives, and messages they wanted to convey to society.

Based on the discussions, the following three themes were set for the fiscal year 2025:

• Diversity

• 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle)

• The Hidden Side of Fashion (The Life of a Garment)

Each group proceeded with planning, and on Sunday, February 15, 2026, they presented their achievements to visitors at the "Chiba Winter Fes 2026" organized by the Student Committee. The project booth attracted over 430 visitors, creating such a buzz that a queue formed.

Content of Each Initiative

● Fashion × Diversity

An exhibition was held to introduce the history and characteristics of fashion from various countries around the world with photographs, allowing visitors to learn about cultural backgrounds and differences in values. A face-in-hole panel was installed, making it an interactive experience that visitors could enjoy.

In addition, in collaboration with the Chiba University Faculty of Education Affiliated Special Needs School, indigo-dyed works, accessories, and hats created by people with disabilities were exhibited. These were displayed with introduction panels mimicking ZOZOTOWN product pages. Furthermore, messages from visitors to the creators were collected, with over 70 people writing handwritten feedback. These messages were later delivered to the special needs school, promoting understanding of diversity and human connection through fashion.

● Fashion × 3R

A designer experience workshop was held utilizing used clothes and vegetable-dyed fabric scraps. Participants freely combined materials to design original clothes. Approximately 140 groups, mainly children, participated.

In conjunction, a panel exhibition introducing clothing materials and the mechanism of vegetable dyeing was also held, providing an opportunity to learn concepts such as "reuse" and "upcycling" through experience.

● Fashion × The Hidden Side (The Life of a Garment)

Activity Report Meeting Held

On Monday, March 30, 2026, an activity report meeting for fiscal year 2025 was held at ZOZO's head office. Students presented the achievements of the project and exchanged opinions.

This year, 22 members participated in the project, and 15 members who made significant contributions to the implementation of the initiatives were awarded certificates of completion by ZOZO.

Comments from Fiscal Year 2025 Project Managers

● Student Team Leader

Yuma Saito, 2nd year, Faculty of Law, Politics and Economics (Fiscal Year 2025)

This year's project was concentrated in the latter half, which made it easier for members to maintain motivation. However, to implement the initiatives for the Chiba Winter Fes in February, preparations had to be rushed, which caused some anxiety.

Nevertheless, with the cooperation of members, especially the leaders of each group, various plans were formulated, and we were able to welcome the day of the Chiba Winter Fes with thorough preparation.

I believe we were able to conduct workshops where visitors could enjoy learning about aspects that are usually overlooked, such as the process behind clothing production, diverse forms of fashion, and the importance of 3R in fashion.

I extend my sincere gratitude to all ZOZO personnel who provided various support for the main event.

I hope that through this activity, visitors gained interest in fashion and sustainability or discovered something new.

● ZOZO Representative

Satomi Kanoko, Social Friendship Department, CI Division, ZOZO

In our collaborative project with Chiba University, we value providing opportunities for challenge and practical experience while respecting student autonomy. This year, students themselves planned initiatives for the "Chiba Winter Fes" and each group presented their achievements through workshops and panel exhibitions. This not only reached many visitors but also provided a platform for students to fully demonstrate their creativity and initiative. Additionally, through the process from planning to execution, problem-solving skills and teamwork were fostered. We also gained many insights while accompanying them, and we will continue to support this initiative to ensure it remains a valuable opportunity for both parties. Furthermore, we hope that the experiences gained through this initiative will lead to each student's future challenges and growth.