F/CE.'s concept of how to deal with sustainability and how the company should be in relation to society.

Yamane: Recycled materials, whether natural or synthetic, require high technology for spinning and processing the yarn itself, which increases the number of processes and makes it more expensive. So, even if you have an idea, it's not easy to make it take shape. I am also aware that the definition of "sustainable" is very broad.

Yamane: This is recycled yarn made from used plastic bottles that have been turned into fine pellets, melted, and spun into cotton. This kind of technology itself is now quite standard, but what sets Teijin Frontier apart is that its yarn processing technology is among the best in the world. The yarn used in this project is processed to have bulkiness and elasticity, so it is extremely lightweight, dries quickly, absorbs moisture, and expresses warmth, while also being stretchable without blending with other materials.

Spring Mountain: I like to wear outerwear, but when I think about functionality, it tends to be the outerwear that takes center stage. So, I thought, "Why not add functionality to other items and innerwear as well? The first item in this series was a knitwear item. Coincidentally, the demand for loungewear increased during the "stay-home" period, and the knitwear was well received by the media. Although not well known yet, Teijin Frontier seems to have a lot of confidence in this product. The president of Teijin Frontier was also very enthusiastic about the product at the exhibition (laughs). (Laughs) I contacted Teijin immediately because I had been thinking that I wanted to make a lightweight, washable knitwear made of polyester material.

Yamane: I remember how impressed I was when I first saw it. When we create an item, we first consider whether it can be used on the street and whether it is durable. It was important for us to be able to express these two elements that are engraved in the DNA of "F.C.E." Moreover, because it is a domestic manufacturer, we felt a sense of closeness and speed. Moreover, because it is a domestic manufacturer, we can proceed with manufacturing with a sense of closeness and speed. There are two ways to make clothes: sewing and molding, but we decided to do something that sewing cannot do, so we started a knit line that is extremely light, warm, and machine-washable.

Yamane: Normally, people would not think of making knitwear from this (laughs). Knits are usually worn in winter, so warmth is absolutely necessary. I myself like wool and cashmere knitwear, but I think it would be better to have practical and technical elements and interpretations based on them for our own brand. It is better to explain to customers how the yarn used to knit the knitwear is made, so that we can express our own personality. And if the knitwear is warm and easy-care, that is even better. And if you touch it, you will notice that it has a dry touch. It is also water-repellent, and I was attracted by the texture and functionality derived from the material of PET bottles.

Yamane: First is a men's crew neck. This is a seamless knitwear made with the world's first WHOLEGARMENT flat knitting machine, developed by SHIMA SEIKI. Since there is no stress when it touches the skin, it is well known that it is often used by outdoor manufacturers as base wear. Since this is an item for the 2021 SS season, part of the back is knitted in mesh while the elbows and sides are ribbed for a three-dimensional look.

Spring Mountain: Men are concerned about functionality, but women are more concerned about appearance. If this is the case, we thought it would be better to give them a design that is more effective than something plain. This layered-style top started with the idea of making a layered-style cut-and-sew garment. Normally, it would be very difficult to find a long-sleeved thermal and a short-sleeved T-shirt in the exact same color, but with ECOPET, we thought we could create a layered look by simply changing the knitting fabric. I tried it, and the result was ideal. Finally, I washed the garment to give it a faded, old-fashioned look.

Spring Mountain: We have attached a German-made magnetic buckle that is easy to put on and take off. For example, you may think it looks very heavy because you can only judge it by the pictures on the online store, but you will be surprised at how light it is when you actually wear it. When you look at the three items side by side like this, it's hard to believe that the same yarn is used for all of them. The response from stylists and buyers at the exhibition was also very positive. I'm wearing this cardigan today, and I didn't expect it to dry so quickly at the sample stage, so I think everyone who has already received it is also surprised by it.