[Implementation Report] Tokyo Soir Collaborates with Sculptural Artist Sayaka Imai, Using Disposed Formal Wear
Tokyo Soir partnered with sculptural artist Sayaka Imai and NewMake to upcycle discarded formal wear into unique stuffed animals, aiming for a circular economy. A limited-time sale at Isetan Tachikawa Store in April 2026 garnered significant interest, with 5 out of 8 pieces sold.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 30, 2026 at 22:40
- 🔍 Collected: April 30, 2026 at 14:01
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 30, 2026 at 14:10 (8 min after Collected)
Tokyo Soir Co., Ltd., a company developing ladies' formal wear (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and President: Junichi Koizumi), in an effort to achieve a circular economy, collaborated with NewMake, a business operated by STORY & Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and President: Taku Hosokawa) that addresses social issues through creative methods. They utilized formal wear that had served its purpose at Tokyo Soir as material and, through the hands of sculptural artist Sayaka Imai, transformed them into new upcycled stuffed animal works. These were sold for a limited period of 14 days from April 8, 2026, at Isetan Tachikawa Store. A total of 8 pieces were created, of which 5 found new homes, attracting significant interest from visitors.
**[Environmental Issues Caused by Apparel]**
In recent years, the fashion industry has been grappling with the problem of "mass consumption and mass disposal of apparel."
According to a survey by the Ministry of the Environment*, the methods for disposing of clothes are:
* Disposal as combustible or non-combustible waste…59%
* Sold as used clothing…15%
* Resource recovery…14%
* Collection at local areas/stores…10%
* Donation/transfer…3%
When clothes are discarded as waste, most are incinerated or landfilled as is, amounting to approximately 480,000 tons annually (domestic). This translates to about 1,300 tons of clothes being incinerated or landfilled every day.
*Source: Ministry of the Environment "FY2024 Survey on Promotion Measures for a Circular Fashion System"
**[Upcycle Project Breathing New Life]**
At our company, we have been promoting product-side initiatives to ensure customers wear our products longer, such as adopting dyeing techniques that resist fading, manufacturing products using anti-fray sewing techniques, and developing products using recycled polyester materials.
Furthermore, we have been working on environmental considerations, such as cooperating with "BRING," an initiative that collects formal wear that is no longer worn at stores and circulates it back to the market and consumers through various methods, and producing coasters using "PANECO," which regenerates discarded clothing into recycled boards.
Through collaboration with sculptural artist Sayaka Imai, an upcycling project was developed where formal wear that was never worn and had served its purpose was dismantled, returned to its parts, and then selected materials were reborn as one-of-a-kind stuffed animal works.
Our company has consistently created new value in ceremonial occasions through careful craftsmanship, aligning with the changing lifestyles of women over time.
With our corporate philosophy, "Always by the side of cherished feelings," combined with Sayaka Imai's unique sensibility and reliable technique, stuffed animals were born under the theme of "Creatures that dress in clothes, somehow funny and adorable."
Unused materials are given new life, elevating them into products that resonate with the hearts of those who hold them, including their stories and backgrounds.
Moving forward, starting from this initiative, we will expand the possibilities of manufacturing that connects feelings and circularity, leading to the creation of mechanisms that generate more empathy and action.
**[The Spread of "Empathy Consumption" - Choosing One-of-a-Kind for Oneself]**
At the venue, visitors who had been fans of Sayaka Imai from before were seen carefully comparing and purchasing each piece.
Since she is an artist who has gained support for her one-of-a-kind works utilizing fabric scraps, these collaborative pieces also attracted high interest, leveraging the high-quality and rare material feel unique to formal dresses, and works like bats made from the black material of ceremonial wear.
Many purchasers chose items for themselves, indicating that in addition to sustainable values, the "joy of owning a one-of-a-kind item" resonated with both men and women.
Sayaka Imai
Sculptural Artist
Inspired by creating stuffed animals from fabric scraps, she views stuffed animals as soft sculptures, incorporating her unique world into her works.
She develops stuffed animals and goods with Yoshitoku Co., Ltd. She has expanded her activities in various directions, including producing stuffed animal picture books for children's magazines and collaborating with Disney Store to sell limited edition Mickey & Friends stuffed animals in the Sayaka Imai style.
Instagram＠brown_bobbin
**[What is NewMake?]**
NewMake is a community that tackles many social issues that cannot be solved by a single company or individual alone, working with partners of different scales and positions. A wide range of creators participate, including those interested in fashion, architecture, and space. Rather than difficult language or direct approaches, NewMake creates opportunities to "learn" – the true first step towards an Earth-friendly future – through "discoveries" hidden within the感動 and excitement gained through works and experiences.
Website: https://storyandco.co
**[Environmental Issues Caused by Apparel]**
In recent years, the fashion industry has been grappling with the problem of "mass consumption and mass disposal of apparel."
According to a survey by the Ministry of the Environment*, the methods for disposing of clothes are:
* Disposal as combustible or non-combustible waste…59%
* Sold as used clothing…15%
* Resource recovery…14%
* Collection at local areas/stores…10%
* Donation/transfer…3%
When clothes are discarded as waste, most are incinerated or landfilled as is, amounting to approximately 480,000 tons annually (domestic). This translates to about 1,300 tons of clothes being incinerated or landfilled every day.
*Source: Ministry of the Environment "FY2024 Survey on Promotion Measures for a Circular Fashion System"
**[Upcycle Project Breathing New Life]**
At our company, we have been promoting product-side initiatives to ensure customers wear our products longer, such as adopting dyeing techniques that resist fading, manufacturing products using anti-fray sewing techniques, and developing products using recycled polyester materials.
Furthermore, we have been working on environmental considerations, such as cooperating with "BRING," an initiative that collects formal wear that is no longer worn at stores and circulates it back to the market and consumers through various methods, and producing coasters using "PANECO," which regenerates discarded clothing into recycled boards.
Through collaboration with sculptural artist Sayaka Imai, an upcycling project was developed where formal wear that was never worn and had served its purpose was dismantled, returned to its parts, and then selected materials were reborn as one-of-a-kind stuffed animal works.
Our company has consistently created new value in ceremonial occasions through careful craftsmanship, aligning with the changing lifestyles of women over time.
With our corporate philosophy, "Always by the side of cherished feelings," combined with Sayaka Imai's unique sensibility and reliable technique, stuffed animals were born under the theme of "Creatures that dress in clothes, somehow funny and adorable."
Unused materials are given new life, elevating them into products that resonate with the hearts of those who hold them, including their stories and backgrounds.
Moving forward, starting from this initiative, we will expand the possibilities of manufacturing that connects feelings and circularity, leading to the creation of mechanisms that generate more empathy and action.
**[The Spread of "Empathy Consumption" - Choosing One-of-a-Kind for Oneself]**
At the venue, visitors who had been fans of Sayaka Imai from before were seen carefully comparing and purchasing each piece.
Since she is an artist who has gained support for her one-of-a-kind works utilizing fabric scraps, these collaborative pieces also attracted high interest, leveraging the high-quality and rare material feel unique to formal dresses, and works like bats made from the black material of ceremonial wear.
Many purchasers chose items for themselves, indicating that in addition to sustainable values, the "joy of owning a one-of-a-kind item" resonated with both men and women.
Sayaka Imai
Sculptural Artist
Inspired by creating stuffed animals from fabric scraps, she views stuffed animals as soft sculptures, incorporating her unique world into her works.
She develops stuffed animals and goods with Yoshitoku Co., Ltd. She has expanded her activities in various directions, including producing stuffed animal picture books for children's magazines and collaborating with Disney Store to sell limited edition Mickey & Friends stuffed animals in the Sayaka Imai style.
Instagram＠brown_bobbin
**[What is NewMake?]**
NewMake is a community that tackles many social issues that cannot be solved by a single company or individual alone, working with partners of different scales and positions. A wide range of creators participate, including those interested in fashion, architecture, and space. Rather than difficult language or direct approaches, NewMake creates opportunities to "learn" – the true first step towards an Earth-friendly future – through "discoveries" hidden within the感動 and excitement gained through works and experiences.
Website: https://storyandco.co