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Do we have the same 24 hours in a day?

Millionaire Creative directors of fast fashion and celebrity brands would argue that we all have the same 24 hours in a day that can be utilised to achieve one’s greatest entrepreneurial ventures only if we have the will to do so. 

Yet if you flip the coin, the other side is not so much of a meritocratic face as it is the exploitative manual labour, whereby the very same fast-fashion corporations are paying their garment workers approximately £3.50 p/hour when the living wage is £8.91 (for ages 23 and over)  in comparison to the 7 figure payroll of their directors. If we share the same 24 hours, why is the pay difference such a disparaging difference? 

There are many iterations of the famous “We have the same 24 hours in a day” quote,  but what are its roots and how does it corroborate violent attitudes towards the working class and the underprivileged, especially in the fashion world of today? 

Underpaid, underappreciated and overworked: 

Leicester city is one of the UK’s largest garment industry hubs and it is not a coincidence that around a third of its workers are from ethnic minorities who were born outside of the UK – leading them to be extremely vulnerable to abuse and exploitation due to a lack of support and articulation of a foreign language to seek help. 

With the same 24 hours, garment workers across the globe are handed ultimatums instead of choices to better their lives. The illusion that meritocracy, that one’s own merit will grant them access to positions of success, ignores the reality that many cannot afford stability; generational disadvantages and economic situations make one’s priorities near impossible to plan for the future when tomorrow is not certain. 

Why Fashion Revolution is important:

Fashion Revolution aims to bring “systemic and structural change, the global fashion industry can lift millions of people out of poverty and provide them with decent and dignified livelihoods.” 

The movement was started with the 2013 tragedy, the collapse of the Rana Plaza in Bangladesh. Now this annual reminder stands for all underrepresented and undervalued workers within the Fashion industry while holding fashion giants accountable. Read more here to learn more about Fashion Revolution week. 

The Revolution starts at home    

Over here at 4649.REC we are championing upcycling, customisation and recycling of ore-loved family clothes that exist to give them a new lease of life.  Our principles are that clothes carry history, a story and a potential to be REinvented, REimagined to REConnect us with what we already have. We believe in sustaining energy through recycling energy – this extends to committing to the practice of not mass producing stock, only crafting and designing with what already exists by giving them new life. 

Keep an eye on our Instagram for more on our take on Fashion Revolution 

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Sustainable Living: “It’s not you, but us” 

Mission Impossible? 

We say absolutely not – if we focus our efforts on reframing how we produce, organise and eliminate excess waste from our current modes of production. 

A circular economy is a framework that strives to eradicate waste by designing to reuse and reintroduce. It isn’t about individual responsibility, it is about building a collective understanding and awareness of a larger problem.

There are 3 Pillars to a circular economy:

  • Eliminating waste and pollution by design
  • Designing waste into recycling materials 
  • Regenerating natural systems

Think of a circle – observe how it is a loop and not a linear line. That is essentially how the economy should be designed to function. Materials are introduced, used, then recycled into their basic components to be re-introduced into production. 

So, what does a circular economy look like in Fashion?

A garment is designed to be apparel, at the end of its life it is stripped down to its basic fabrics to be recycled into a bag. The bag at the end of its life will be further recycled into the soles of a shoe. When the shoe has reached the end of its life, where does it go? Back to the producers where the basic components will be reverted back to the original fibre where the process starts again. 

Why all the hassle now? 

The world went through what the New York Times described as the ‘Pandemic Decluttering’. Everyone was forced to look in and make room for work, leisure and breathing spaces all within our homes. This resulted in people excavating receipts, appliance boxes and clothes that have been untouched by last summer’s trend. 

“Spring cleaning” – Our take on a REfresh

It’s become more clear now than ever that as creatures of habits we have some unpacking to do when it comes to making space for the current by repurposing and questioning the hoarded skeletons that have resided in our closets for decades and if they really need to be there.

We have finite resources, finite space in landfills and finite time in making efforts to revive the environment. The best step in the right direction is to consciously buy/mend and source with longevity in mind.

Reality check: We have ways before we make it to this much of an efficient arrangement as money, time and resources for this kind of operation are scarcely delegated with seriousness due to business competition. But in comparison to awareness 10 years ago, we have made huge steps as a whole in the right direction. 

Too much to take in?

The mission is possible if we invest in systems that design an ongoing loop that feeds itself to avoid excessive waste. And that can start from simple daily habits like:

  • Donate to thrift stores and charity shops 
  • Check the garment care labels on the garment and opt for  materials that aren’t mixed with polyester.
  • Get crafty with DIY mending – you can organise a mending group with your friends over tea, or hop onto apps like Sojo to find a tailor near you to ensure that something perfectly valuable isn’t discarded.
  • Set your washing machine at low temperatures (30 degrees advised) to save energy.

What about personal responsibility?

Oftentimes, consumer responsibility is used as a marketing strategy to alleviate the responsibility of 20 companies who contribute to 55% of the world’s plastic waste. These companies are a collective of Chemical, Oil and Gas giants. But amidst the helplessness, there is still hope as people, (including you and us) have been working towards alternative ways of consuming, this can look like supporting local independent businesses. Or, upcycling, mending, recycling. As a population, there has been a steady movement in changing our relationship with buying and overconsuming.

The 4649.REC way:

Our approach to design around wastefulness is to REinvent the old by upcycling old kimonos sleeping in Japanese households for multiple generations. Emotional design is a driving principle for the clothes we make which have the purpose of finding a positive chord to REConnect a preloved item with a new owner who will continue their story. This is a way to design waste away as a form of REsurrecting through RECycling.

Our ethos is RECycle, REvive and REConnect stories within the items we have and give them a new journey to be continued to the next generation and beyond, and we invite you to be part of our journey. Browse through our designs to see how the life of reclaimed kimono fabric has been reimagined by us.

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Celebrating the day of ‘adulthood’ with Kimono

 🍶Happy Seijun no hi 

Seijin no Hi (成人の日), known as the Coming-of-age day, known as the Coming-of-age day is a national holiday to celebrate a whole generation turning 18 years old (previously was 20), a commemoration of their new beginnings as an adult.

What’s the deal? 

This is our statement denim jacket, ‘Flower Wall’ made from Yumi’s Mother’s very own Kimono Obi from her Coming of age ceremony from decades ago.

Naturally, this beautiful fabric would not have seen the day of light had it not been for Yumi upcycling her mother’s vintage silk Obi.

 Due to the speciality of the fabric, Yumi has also upcycled it into a lampshade for her bedroom, as well as framing the remaining square of her mother’s kimono as a soulful reminder of how the brand was started. 

credit: KTW photographer

Today, the second Monday of January is an important welcome to their newfound adulthood, entry into society and the responsibilities that come with a new milestone. A day where the young adults of Japan are encouraged to embrace the marking of their reached maturity and a sense of belonging into a new phase of their lives, leaving behind their adolescence.

Coming of age ceremonies have been celebrated in Japan since 714 CE and one of the highlights of the day is the beautiful traditional furisode kimonoa long sleeve style of kimono distinguishable by its long sleeves, worn by young women.  And traditional Hakama, or western suit for the young men. Kimono rental services, stylists and traditional makeup/ hairdressers are all booked and busy for the masses of young adults on the big day. 

👘 Rental Kimono?

Yes, you heard correctly. Traditional kimonos, especially ones worn for special ceremonies are mostly made from pure Japanese silk, something you cannot wear for all kinds of occasions so newer generations are increasingly deciding to opt for rentals as this is the cheaper and more sustainable approach. 

However…

There are still thousands of kimonos tucked away into the quiet corners of the Japanese households as the heavy silk is deemed too extravagant for everyday wear. What a waste, no?

🕊️ The REC way :

Following the motto of “Mottainai”- ‘no waste’,  4649.REC found a way to customize and grant these special fabrics a new life.

This is why the new floor lamps and lampshades made with colourful silk Obis are ingenious additions to the 4649.REC range of bespoke upcycled products. 

credit: @kendal___eline

🧡 We wanted to REConnect with the very pieces of our culture that celebrate a new beginning in life and proudly use them in our daily lives instead of it being wrapped up in dark corners.

🙏

There are precious stories of youth and memories of a day that commemorates a young person’s journey into adulthood within the seams of their kimono. One of the commitments of the REC way is to REinvigorate by REConstructing something you can appreciate every day alongside the roots of its history. 

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Holiday Blues: why Blue is a colour to uplift us

a pattern of tiger

We believe in colours as reminders of the vibrancy of life: browse through our products to see how important all colours, especially blue, are integral to our stories.

‘Ao’ represents serenity, vast oceans and stability

What is the ‘Holiday Blues’, and how does it affect us? 

The holiday season brings the pressure of being jovial and merry with your loved ones and who you surround yourself with: stress, anxiety and (seasonal) depression alongside chronic conditions snowball during this time.

photo by : kwtphotographer

‘Over 2 in 5 Brits report feelings of stress, and about 1 in 4 reported struggling with anxiety or depression during the Christmas season.’

insight on celebrations during covid 19 report 2021

Now-empty spaces at the dinner table, longer nights, not enough daytime and the anxiety of leaving the house in fear of the virus. The holiday season can be a debilitating time with an unnerving pressure to be around ‘family’ when you are struggling to find a reason to celebrate. So, when life is not a cookie-cutter version of what we would like it to be, things can get tough and you are not alone feeling this way. 

Here are some ways you can self-soothe

  • 👤Acknowledge your feelings – take time to understand your anxiety, stress or depression, let yourself make way to the reason as to why you might be feeling this way and allow yourself to accept it.
  • 🧠Regain control – Try your best to regulate your high levels of emotions by stepping to the side and taking things slow to take back control: take time for your needs, a walk, quiet time alone or a nap, any form of action which is kind to your mind and body. 
  • 📍Be realistic about your expectations – It’s easy to be disappointed during these times when we have been taught to put the bar very high, but the simple things in life are just as enjoyable.
  • 🤝Reach out – Whether it’s family, friends, or a neighbour; reach out, talk to someone and let them know how you’re holding up. If you find yourself not being able to, ‘The Mind’ is a mental health organization that have helplines open, click over there if you need someone’s help. 

▶️ Watch The Mind’s video 👉 “Not a normal Christmas..” for a preview of issues that the organisation brings awareness to.

4649.REC ethos  💙

As born from the efforts to cope with mental health during a global lockdown, the brand became what it stands for through the strength gained from REConnecting with family through the kimono and cultural roots. We champion mental health awareness by giving a percentage of our proceeds to the aforementioned mental health charity, ‘The Mind’.

We believe sustainability is a philosophy larger than what it is defined by today, it is about sustainable practices across one’s life. It’s about sustaining healthy forms of wellbeing: what we call ‘Ki’ in Japan – protecting and regenerating our inner ecosystem and energy. To provide you with longevity and strength for a tomorrow, to live through another day, every day. Our efforts in REConnecting to what makes us whole is something we practice all the time, through our upcycling, customisations and RECycling –  we take the time to REConstruct what our tomorrow can look like.

 “It’s Okay Not to be okay”: 

It will eventually pass, and perhaps through some of the methods above maybe you will have taken another step towards understanding your ‘Holiday Blues’, preparing you for the next year.

It’s worth remembering that blue in Japan, ‘aoi’, represents a transient colour that carries the vastness, vitality and peace of oceans, skies and broader horizons, so the next time you catch a case of ‘the blues’, ride the wave over to the other side where one can stand on their own two feet with a sense of clarity. 

We, at 4649.REC are grateful to greet another year and thank all who we had the chance to say #Yoroshiku to 🙏

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Sustainable and Ethical brands at the heart of London’s famous shopping district

sustainable popup header

The 88 Regent Street pop-up edit for sustainability:

4649.REC joins a collective of 6 brands to champion alternative consumption on 88 Regent Street with a dedicated space for sustainability, ethical consumption and conscious fashion.


This area has always been the key place for any Japanese visitors and residents in the UK, and it is an honour to be taking part in this initiative. We are looking forward to connecting with a wider audience and showcase that we can look good while caring for people and the planet.”

Yumi Sakaki, The founder/designer of 4649.REC

Why Regent Street?

With its regal architecture and central placement in West London’s shopping district, Regent Street is one of the most famous shopping streets in London. Regent Street has been a significant landmark known for its impressive portfolio of designer brands and stores. The street is visited by approximately more than 7.5 million people a year. All wanting to shop and browse.

Here’s why the pop-up store on 88 Regent Street is vital to the revolution of ethical fashion. 1 Roof shared by 6 sustainable fashion brands is the beginning of a change. Imagine this: the pop-up store is a window of opportunity to veer into future consumption and envision the high street solely operating on independent and sustainable fashion wellness brands.

What we offer: On-site customisation

Meaningful, shared and reconnecting to our roots is what we at 4649.REC value. The store has tailored a personal and dedicated shopping experience giving the opportunity to explore our one-off pieces designed by 4649.REC. Not only that, but we also treasure the practice of upcycling and the spirit of mending to reinvent clothes for another cycle of use. Therefore, we have on-site customisation at our pop-up store. If you have clothes in need of a revamp, then you will definitely want to visit and consult with us. From previous customisation workshops with the Fashion District Festival, it is great fun interacting with people and a shared learning experience on how we consume. We invite all to come and learn about how we can practice sustainability in our daily lives.

What makes us special as a sustainability brand:

Everything is made from upcycled kimono and traditional Japanese garments. No two are the same and have their own distinct story. Just ask Yumi, our designer and creative director of 4649.REC.

It is imperative to come and explore as soon as possible as this collective of sustainable brands is here only until the 27th of October and you don’t want to miss the opportunity to connect with us.

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Welcome to the future of fashion: Fashion District festival

Come celebrate the 5-day Fashion District Festival running from 22nd-26th September with us to advocate sustainability and innovation.

‘When something has been mended it becomes more beautiful as it becomes rich with history.’

– philosophy of kintsugi

Grow, Watch, Make and Shop: 

The festival will be an opportunity to experience an intimate and interactive event that will give you a chance to see what positive changes in the fashion future can look like for all of us.  Under the umbrella of RETURE, we 4649.REC are among other designers who will be providing intimate

The purpose of the festival is to uplift and highlight designers from diverse backgrounds pursuing fashion business with sustainability in mind.  This was touching the surface of creative possibilities of upcycling fabric into something else. Upcycling, Reusing and Re-focusing is a great way to reconnect with our choices and stories behind them. 

We will show you how to revamp your clothes using patchwork with our beautiful collection of vintage kimono fabrics leftover from our production. Yumi, our founder and designer, will be conducting the ‘MAKE’ Workshop and expressing her own aptitude for repairing clothes with a Japanese twist. You can find us running a workshop with the fashion district festival showing you how to repair and transform your clothes as you give them a second lease of life. You can also find a selection of our upcycled kimono pieces at the RETURE marketplace stand, located in Westfield Stratford shopping centre.

The essence of 4649.REC:

We aim to inspire the use of upcycling, recycling and reusing one-time cultural garments into our everyday life as effortless streetwear with a hint of attitude and a Japanese spin on your wardrobe. 

Spaces are very limited so get your tickets now and join us for your journey to REconnect with your roots, don’t miss this chance to RE-think, RE-construct and RE-style your wardrobe.

We believe in building a sustainable community based on our own values of RE-creating what our history and culture mean through our dress. Through patchwork and MAKING together, we can figure out a future that will sustain both the environment and humanity, this workshop is one step in achieving that.

Check out our previous collaberations

‘Say ‘I DO’, the sustainable way @ RESELLFRIDGES with RETURE’, The stunning bridal gown is now on display and available for sale at our new pop-up store at 88 Regent Street.

What we have on next:

The 88 Regent Street pop-up edit’– Onsite customisations and one-of-a-kind upcycled kimono pieces available for you to purchase right now at 88 Regent Street, come to say hi.

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Say ‘I DO’, the sustainable way @ RESELLFRIDGES with RETURE

No more ‘Bridezilla’ with our sustainable brands matching you with your dream dress: 

RETURE with RESELLFRIDGES have come together in a special union with a sustainable Wedding pop-up collection, that ran from 2nd August to 5th September.  And we, 4649.REC were invited to add to the edit with our own customised, upcycled kimono pieces. As RETURE’s in-store designers, we invited customers to witness how we transform garments and how they could be re-customised, reimagined and reused for your special day.

Getting passionate with our sustainability aims: What started our love affair with upcycling and RETURE

RETURE launched online in November 2020 as the world’s first fashion upcycling platform. RETURE’s aims are to encourage upcycling and sustainable fashion.  This collaboration was about exploring a circular retail model and a part of Selfridges shift into navigating sustainable efforts in consumption.  A hopeful and exciting step in the right direction for fashion and retail giants.

Our one-of-a-kind pieces were lovingly made using upcycled kimono handed down to Yumi, our creative designer and founder, and this is how we have reimagined a beautiful mix of traditional Japanese apparel into wedding attire: 

Love for the future: Our aims for ethical consumption

On average, 30% of our clothing in wardrobes has been left untouched for at least a year, according to the Waste and Resources Action Programme. Not to mention, that 350,000 tonnes of wearable clothing go to landfills in the UK every year.

RETURE’s collaboration with us was a green initiative taken on with creativity on behalf of Selfridges’ goals to commit to a greener and circular mode of experiencing fashion.  

Here’s how you can champion it:

  • Buy with conscious materials in mind: look for organic, all-natural fabrics like cotton, silk, wool and try to avoid fabrics containing elastane. 
  • Get thrifty: find Ethical sources and shop locally, this benefits your community and helps build a sustainable practice.
  • Re-purpose, Re-cycle and upcycle your own clothes: grab some of your loved-up clothes that have seen better days and start your own DIY project and get creative. 

What we have on next: The Regent Street Edit

Running from the 3rd of September we will be joining 6 other brands on 88 Regent Street where you can come find our pop-up store. We believe in a slow, circular fashion and welcome you to join our personal and tailored shopping experience. We have onsite customisations available for you and our one-of-a-kind pieces made from upcycled kimonos that could be yours.

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Embrace the summer sun with Kaori Yatsumoto’s upcycled kimono caps

[4649.REC x Kaori Yasumoto] Upcycled Denim Cap – “Gold Katana” Caps

As the summer months, protect yourself in style from the sun with the upcycled kimono caps, from our latest collaboration with Kaori Yatsumoto, using the same fabric as in our army co-ords and in our collaboration with Isaak Ayo.

“When I create my pieces, I strive to highlight the beauty of old fabric that was created through elaborate craftsmanship and to reduce waste as much as possible in my creations.” 

Kaori Yatsumoto

Kaori designs bespoke dresses, hats and accessories and we have been a big fan of Kaori’s creations for years – because of her vintage couture is characterised by its unique combination of 1950s Hollywood glamour with Japanese influences. To celebrate the release of these pieces, we have interviewed her to learn more about her brand, vision, inspiration and creative process.

4649.REC: How and when did you get into designing dresses, hats and accessories? Could you tell me more about your background?

Kaori: I originally came to London to study business. I began working in the travel industry,  but I always had a passion for fashion and art so I eventually decided to study dressmaking. I started designing women’s clothes and selling them online on Etsy. I find creating to be very therapeutic. Having become a mother, I also began selling children’s clothing and accessories online as well as in physical markets.

4649.REC: Your couture style combines vintage glamour and Japanese influences. Could you tell me more about how this came about and how you manage to reconcile both elements?

Kaori: I get my inspiration from the vintage style and the fabrics I find. I learned the pleating, ruching and draping process in London and love using Japanese chirimen* to create one-off vintage style one-off dresses. 

4649.REC: What inspired you to begin upcycling these fabrics from Japan and how do you acquire these fabrics?

Kaori: Originally, my mother and my aunt gave me their old Kimono and Obi belts that they no longer used. I began upcycling because I love the beautiful design and colours of kimonos. Each piece is made with silk and such intricate Japanese craftsmanship that I believe these pieces of wearable art should be treasured and kept, even if it is under a different form. When I make caps, I usually upcycle plastic bottles for laundry liquid to create the brim, but lately I have found it harder to find because people around me don’t use it any more (which is good thing). So unfortunately, at the moment, I am still searching for sustainable materials to upcycle for the brim.

4649.REC: Could you tell me a bit more about the pieces, which came out of this partnership?

Kaori: Yumi handed leftover fabric from a beautiful Obi Belt and I fell in love with the colours. I’ve always liked the combination of Japanese colourful design and denim so I thought upcycling denim and the Obi belt should be perfect. 

4649.REC:: Do you have a specific audience in mind when you create your pieces?

Kaori: Anyone who likes to dress differently from others, as each piece is unique and one of a kind. Anyone who understands the beauty of old Japanese design, and the importance of recycling and upcycling.

4649.REC: Lastly, what would you say is the key message behind your pieces? How do you contribute to the sustainable fashion movement?

Kaori: When I create my pieces, I strive to highlight the beauty of old fabric that was created through elaborate craftsmanship and to reduce waste as much as possible in my creations. 

Kaori also designs children’s apparel and accessories with a Japanese twist. Follow Kaori on Instagram to keep up with her latest projects.

[4649.REC x Kaori Yasumoto] Upcycled Denim Cap – “Gold Katana” Dark

*Chirimen is a plain-woven silk crêpe composed of raw silk yarn

More from the REC x Kaori Yatsumoto Collaboration:

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Exchanging fabrics and stories with London-born designer Isaak Ayo

Usually, I acquire my fabric online, meaning  I can only imagine what the person who wore it was like, so using fabric from Yumi’s family and knowing the person with whom the fabric was associated was truly an honour.

Isaak Ayo

Isaak Ayo was founded in 2013, when designer Rickardo’s son Isaac Ayo Mascarenhas Reynolds was born. All Isaak Ayo bags and T-shirts are ethically made in London, using recycled (and mostly organic) fabrics such as upcycled kimono silk, wood felt, organic cotton and bamboo. 

Before creating Isaak Ayo, from the 1990s to 2005 Rickardo used to run his own clothing business “BOK” with a friend. BOK sold clubwear at Portobello Market, and Camden Market and sold wholesale to shops around the UK, Germany and Miami. When clubwear died down, Rickardo became a landscape gardener before deciding to co-create ethical T-shirt label “Organik Rocka” with a partner in 2005. Facing difficulties in a long-term friendship and business partnership, Rickardo decided to begin anew in 2013, boosted by the energy and inspiration provided by his newborn son.

4649.REC:   Your main collection is the “World Series Collection”, which intends to represent your love of traveling. Would you say your creations are also reflective of your cultural background? 

Rickardo: The “World Series Collection” as a whole is not reflective of my cultural background, as a lot of the fabrics I use are from Japan. However, I am increasingly using fabrics from West Africa because although my parents are from Jamaica, our ancestry is mainly from West Africa. 

4649.REC:  Isaak Ayo creates bags made from upcycled, and natural fabrics, particularly bags from upcycled kimonos. How did you get the idea to start upcycling? 

Rickardo: I had actually worked with upcycled products before I had started my own brand. My first job was actually working for a small company, which made jackets from upcycled leather jackets, jeans and silk scarves. Years later, I started making backless Kimono from silks.  I bought a deconstructed kimono, but there was not enough fabric, so I followed my wife’s suggestion to make a tote bag instead. That’s how my bag collection began. 

4649.REC: How would you say your brand has evolved over the years in terms of vision, particularly over the COVID-19 period?

Rickardo: My brand has developed over the years. From tote bags and T-shirts, My product range has continually increased from tote bags and T-shirts originally,  my latest and most successful pieces are backpacks and cardholders. I intend to continue to expand the product range, to eventually include clothing.

Over time, I have also expanded my online presence. During COVID, my orders increased a lot in the UK and the USA. However, orders from Europe decreased significantly after Brexit.

4649.REC: How do you usually acquire the kimono fabric, which you use in your bags?

Rickardo: At the moment I acquire my fabric online, but I hope to one day go to Japan and bring back a load of old Kimono. 

4649.REC: Yumi fell in love with your creations on Instagram and decided to  reach out to you for a collaboration based on an exchange of fabric:  you provided the indigo blue cotton fabric from Gambia for 4649.REC’s Haori top, which matches your backpack, while Yumi provided you with the leftover fabric from the Gold Katana co-ords. which came from Yumi’s mother, so you could create a matching bag. Could you tell me a bit more about the one-off pieces, which came out of this partnership?

Rickardo: This partnership is great because we both have a love for sustainable fashion, fabrics from Africa, and fabrics from Japan, particularly Kimono fabric, and Obi*. In this collection, we used an Obi that belonged to Yumi’s mother, which  she used to create the Gold Katana camouflage co-ords. The fabric was perfect to create a matching clutch bag. Using the indigo blue cotton fabric from Gambia from which created a backpack, Yumi created a Haori top. In order to create the backpack, the fabric had to be interfaced and reinforced to give it body and durability. I also added upcycled leather to the bottom of the backpack for protection. 

This collaboration was a really interesting experience. Usually, I acquire my fabric online, meaning  I can only imagine what the person who wore it was like, so using fabric from Yumi’s family and knowing the person with whom the fabric was associated was truly an honour. After exchanging the fabrics, Yumi and I discussed what type of pieces we would create, but neither of us knew exactly what the other had in mind. In the end, we both love each other’s creations. 

4649.REC:  What is your creative process like? What inspires you? 

Rickardo: My creative process is a bit chaotic; I tend to start many projects simultaneously.  I am inspired by what my eyes take in everyday. I look at everything, especially when I’m walking with my headphones on. I also love people watching, which is a good way of seeing what people are into.  Being able to come up with an idea in my head and actually create it, brings me a lot of joy and satisfaction. I have noticed that when I’m not creating, my stress level goes up. 

When I have an idea, I draw or write it down, then it goes through a few changes before I begin the actual crafting process.  Once I have created a bag, I try to see how it can be improved by having my wife or friends test them out and give their feedback on wearability, durability and design. Their, sometimes brutal, honesty is really helpful. 

Ultimately, I want to demonstrate that sustainable doesn’t have to mean boring.

4649.REC:  More generally, what would you say is the main challenge in sustainable fashion becoming mainstream?

Rickardo:  I think sustainable fashion will become more mainstream when large companies realise they can make money from it, but I think consumers need to change their buying habits, to force large companies to change. When we buy, we need to focus on quality, rather than quantity. We should also support environmentally friendly independent brands. Small brands may become big one day. 

4649.REC:  What would you say is the key message behind your pieces? How do you contribute to the sustainable fashion movement?

Rickardo: I am trying to create sustainable bags from natural and biodegradable sustainable sources. For instance, I do not use plastic in any of my bags or packaging.  I look at my bags as little pieces of art, mixed with the art of the original fabric maker. I love upcycling fabrics because of their history. Some of the pieces I use are over seventy years old, and still in great condition.  Upcycling is the way forward: we have to re-use as much as we can, if we want to protect the planet. Ultimately, I want to demonstrate that sustainable doesn’t have to mean boring.

You can read more about Isaak Ayo and shop the exclusive pieces which came out of our collaborations below. 

Want to discover more sustainable designers interested in authentic Japanese fashion? Stay tuned for our upcoming blog article here soon. Who should 4649.REC collaborate next?

*the wide silk belt that is worn with the kimono

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Embrace a gender neutral closet for Pride Month

4649.REC textile pride rainbow

June 2021 marks the 51st anniversary of Pride Month. Every year, since 1969, during the month of June, the LGBTQIA+ community celebrates in various ways from parades and festivals to events and public speaking. More than a celebration, Pride Month provides the opportunity to bring awareness to important issues the community is facing. 

What is Pride Month and why does it take place in June? 

On an early morning of June 28, 1969, in Manhattan, New York, the Stonewall Inn was raided by the police. Greenwich Village was an area known to be home to sizeable gay and lesbian populations. Gay bars being illegal in the 1950s and 60s, very few places welcomed gay people and those which did were often run by organized crime groups. The Stonewall Inn, for one, was owned by the Mafia. Such bars were routinely raided. However, violence escalated during the Stonewall Raid and sparked a wave of protests several evenings in a row. The protests led to the formation of organized activist groups, calling for the creation of places where they could embrace their sexual orientation without fear. The riots served as a catalyst for the LGBT liberation movement in the United States.

As a celebration of the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, Brenda Howard organized the first Pride March in New York, which soon became a yearly event. Pride is now celebrated across the United States, but also throughout the world every year.

How does 4649.REC celebrate Pride Month? 

56% of people between 13 and 20 and 43% of people between 28 and 34 stated that they knew someone who uses gender neutral pronouns.  4649.REC stands for sincerity, harmony and respect. We hope to bring people together one garment at a time. We stand for diversity and inclusiveness, authenticity with one’s self and respect to all.

All our pieces are gender free and have a unisex fit, as we believe being authentic to oneself involves feeling free to transgress the gender conventions in fashion. Find a piece that resonates with you or guide us on how to create it for you.

How can you embrace Pride Month by experimenting with gender neutral clothing?

Unisex and non-binary clothing strive to challenge gender norms. Looking to adopt a more gender neutral closet and transgress the boundaries through fashion?  You can personalize your clothing to push back boundaries and achieve your ideal, authentic look through up-cycling and customization of all sorts (dyeing, embroidery, tailoring..). Let us help you experiment with a wide range of colors and patterns, using upcycled kimono fabrics – they are full of colours and nature themed prints which speak to us all.

Overall, despite the progress which has already been made, we must continue to increase awareness and support inclusiveness. In some places like Japan, LGBTIQ+ people are still not protected from discrimination by the law. This June the LGBT Equality Act should be adopted. However, it is contested by LGBTIQ+ advocacy groups who denounce the lack of enforceable protections contained in the bill, which only requires an “understanding of LGBT people”. More generally, as a result of discrimination, homophobia and transphobia and the rejection which may be experienced after coming out, individuals in the LGBTIQ+ community are at increased risk of mental health problems such as depression, self-harm and substance abuse. A study by Stonewall underlined that, in the UK, ⅛  LGBTIQ+ people between 18 and 24 and half of trans people attempted to take their life. Committed to inclusion and wellbeing for all, 4649.REC donates a portion of its proceeds to mental health Mind.