"The distinctive design inspired by school uniforms is the work of Risa Ebata, a long-time collaborator with Shoji Kawamori.
This pavilion is themed around 'Nurturing Life.'
The concept of 'a place where life is nurtured—a space for growth and education' inspired the use of school uniforms as the foundation for the design.
Having primarily worked on costume designs for the fictional worlds of anime, this project offered me a rare and valuable experience: creating outfits that will be "actually" worn by attendants at the Osaka-Kansai Expo, under the direction of Shoji Kawamori. I also had the opportunity to contribute to the design of the key visuals.
I look forward to seeing people wearing this uniform on-site during the six-month event!
The attendant uniforms are made from materials that minimize the release of marine microplastics. Conventional polyester releases microplastics into wastewater with each wash, but the use of recycled long-fiber polyester addresses this issue, contributing to the prevention of marine pollution.
Additionally, the bags used by attendants and staff to carry accessories are made from domestic seashells, which are otherwise discarded in large quantities.
Not only does this reduce environmental impact, but the adoption of sustainable materials also aims to foster learning and innovation through the advancement of technology.
The staff uniforms are made entirely from organic cotton to reduce the ecological and health impacts caused by pesticide use.
Additionally, the production process complies with the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS®), an internationally recognized certification for sustainable natural materials that ensures both human and environmental considerations throughout all manufacturing stages.
The uniforms are also designed using a pattern inspired by the logic of traditional kimono construction, which minimizes fabric waste.
The uniforms are designed in three patterns, including options that accommodate LGBTQ representation, reflecting trends in school uniforms in recent years.
At the official uniform unveiling event held in September 2023, diverse models such as Hiroki Nanami, Ginsyamu, AiRyA, Chihiro Kawakami (NMB48), Ayaka Sakurada (NMB48), and Ayano Izumi (NMB48) showcased the uniforms, demonstrating the flexibility and freedom in how they can be styled.
