ZOZO NEXT and Keio University SFC Research Institute Launch Joint Research on Textile Design Technology Using Mathematics

ZOZO NEXT, Inc. (Headquarters: Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture; Representative Director and CEO: Kotaro Sawada; hereinafter 'ZOZO NEXT'), together with the Keio University SFC Research Institute (Location: Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture; Director: Hiroshi Ogi) and Tatsuki Hayama (Associate Professor, Faculty of Environment and Information Studies), commenced joint research on textile design technology using mathematics on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.

<Background of this Joint Research> Previously, ZOZO NEXT has worked on various projects related to Japanese crafts, such as joint research (*1) on the development of new textiles that combine traditional crafts with advanced materials and interaction technologies to achieve both functionality and beauty; the 'Artisan' project (*2) aiming to 're-evaluate' and 'revitalize' Japanese crafts on the web media 'fashion tech news'; and the 'Yobiiro' project (*3) designed to awaken the five senses, emotions, and the sensitivity dormant in people.

Among these, one of the areas we are focusing on is 'textiles' (woven fabrics). Textiles can create diverse expressions through the meticulous structural design of alternately combining warp and weft threads.

On the other hand, Associate Professor Tatsuki Hayama specializes in Mathematical Art, focusing on visualizing abstract mathematical structures to find aesthetic value, and exploring modeling and design through formula-based algorithms.

In this joint research, we will explore the possibilities of new design methods for textile design through an approach that comprehends textile structures mathematically.