The Japan Apparel Fashion Industry Association (JAFIC) Platform (JAFIC PLATFORM) promotes collaboration with production areas and distributors, providing a forum for interaction between member companies and creators.
JAFIC PLATFORM was launched in 2010 to match the needs and preferences of member companies seeking outsourcing of planning services that can be immediately put to work, and emerging Japanese creative companies, such as young and mid-career designer brands, seeking opportunities to showcase their talents and work. Its goal is to revitalize Japan's fashion industry by providing a business meeting place.
Member companies pre-register and submit their requirements, while emerging creators pay an annual registration fee and submit details such as their company profile and brand profile to the secretariat. This allows them to find and consider partners that meet their needs and preferences. In fiscal 2011, 74 companies and 88 creators registered, and in fiscal 2012, 82 companies and 82 creators registered. From its launch in June 2018 to the end of October 2019, 40 of the 77 requests for outsourcing have been concluded, with 85 companies and 85 creators currently registered. Registered brands include Yasutoshi Ezumi, Naoshi Sawayanagi, SOMARTA, Motonari Ono, RITSUKO SHIRAHAMA, MODE ACOTE, and T.H.D. la maison, many of which participate in Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Tokyo. There has been an increase in requests from up-and-coming young brands to register in the new fiscal year. Going forward, the program plans to expand the list of registered creators beyond current fashion designers, merchandise designers, graphic designers, and web designers to include photographers, stylists, and spatial producers, while also promoting collaborations with production areas and distributors.
In terms of production areas, a contest show was held in November last year in Ishikawa, a synthetic fiber production area, and was attended by presidents and planning staff from 16 major apparel and sports manufacturers, along with 16 local companies, including Amaike Synthetics. Collaborating designers such as AKI from GUT'S DYNAMITE CABARETS and Hidenobu Yasui from Hidenobu Yasui are scheduled to participate in the Bishu Collection, which will be held in Ichinomiya on February 20th.
In the future, the company hopes to expand the scope of collaborations to include not only synthetic fibers and wool, but also cotton and knitwear. Meanwhile, in terms of collaborations with distributors, the company is exploring initiatives with retail outlets, such as limited shops.
