YKK Corporation, headquartered in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, under the leadership of President Koichi Matsushima, has announced its partnership with the Fashion Frontier Program, an initiative supported by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment. This program is dedicated to discovering and nurturing future fashion designers who merge creativity with social responsibility.
As part of the collaboration, YKK will offer educational opportunities that highlight sustainable design practices using fastening products such as zippers, snaps, and buttons. The partnership coincides with the 25th anniversary of the YKK Fastening Awards, Japan’s largest student-focused fashion design competition, through which YKK continues to identify and support emerging global talent.
The Fashion Frontier Program serves as both an educational platform and an awards initiative, combining creative innovation with responsible design. YKK shares this vision of fostering growth, reflection, and sustainable practices in fashion, which forms the foundation of the partnership.
In its first incubation session beginning August 2025, YKK will deliver a lecture on the theme “Little Parts. Big Difference.” focusing on circular fashion. The session will introduce YKK’s innovative fastening products designed for a circular economy and engage 16 semifinalists in interactive discussions. Selected products will also be provided for practical application.
Looking ahead, YKK aims to integrate its incubation programs with winners of the YKK Fastening Awards, creating stronger synergies between sustainable product innovation and emerging design talent.
Fashion Frontier Program Overview:
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Objective: Identifying and nurturing designers who combine creativity with social responsibility
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Schedule:
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Incubation session: From August 2025
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Award ceremony: Mid-December 2025
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Organizer: Yuima Nakazato Laboratory Co., Ltd.
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Co-organizers: Fashion Frontier Program Executive Committee, unisteps Incorporated Association
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Supported by: Ministry of the Environment, Japan
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Website: https://ffp.jp/en/
Notably, Yuima Nakazato, the founder of the Fashion Frontier Program, was also the recipient of the YKK Award in 2009 at the International Talent Support (ITS) competition in the accessories category.
