Exploring Fashion and Water: A New Tabloid Release in 2026

Introduction to the Tabloid "Fashion and Water"

FASHION REVOLUTION JAPAN, operated by the general incorporated association unisteps, is set to release a tabloid titled "Fashion and Water" in May 2026. This publication will delve into the relationship between clothing and water, exploring pressing challenges and future possibilities through interviews with experts from around the world. Initiated in the UK after the Rana Plaza disaster in 2013, the FASHION REVOLUTION movement advocates for transparency and fairness in the fashion industry. Since 2014, the movement has been active in Japan, continuously questioning the social issues behind fashion to a broad audience that includes consumers, businesses, government bodies, and media.

In this year's issue, the focus will be on the water risks associated with the textile and fashion industry. The tabloid will investigate how different processes—specifically, raw material production (cotton cultivation and oil extraction), dyeing, and domestic laundry—impact water pollution. Through multiple interviews with stakeholders, the publication seeks to answer key questions: What future possibilities exist for garment production, and how can individuals approach everyday laundry in a more sustainable manner?

Features of the Tabloid

The tabloid will feature several insightful discussions, starting with an interview with Andri Snær Magnason, the acclaimed author of the bestselling book "On Time and Water". Magnason has won numerous awards and his works have been translated into over thirty languages. In this interview, he communicates with readers about the climate crisis—not as a distant concern, but as a narrative of 'time' that significantly shapes our lives and interconnectedness. With a decade of writing behind him, he speaks to the power of language and storytelling in portraying the realities of climate change.

Subsequent interviews will include individuals who are actively engaging with the relationship between fashion and water both domestically and internationally. An anthropologist, Tomoko Sakai, will also contribute her perspectives, addressing the fundamental question: Why do we engage in the act of washing? By exploring views on pollution and cleanliness, Sakai will offer insights into daily practices. Her latest collection of scholarly essays, co-authored with various researchers, will also be discussed, shedding light on the concept of 'dirty' or 'unclean' from multiple perspectives.

Content Breakdown

The tabloid includes several prominent topics:

- Interview with Andri Snær Magnason on Time and Water
- Relationship Between Fashion Production and Water
- Future of the Fashion Industry Coexisting with Water
- Living with Minimal Water: Spotlight on Four Key Materials
- The Connection Between Soil and Clothing Production
- Lessons from Nature for Developing Future Materials
- The Sustainable Journey of Bisu Fabric and Its 70-Year History
- Current Innovations in Dyeing Techniques
- Washing: A Perspective on Filth and Cleanliness
- Rethinking Our Water Usage in Laundry

Distribution of the Tabloid

The tabloid will be distributed free of charge starting May 30, 2026. To maximize accessibility, distribution points are currently being solicited. Any interested stores or facilities aligned with the tabloid’s ethos are encouraged to contact FASHION REVOLUTION JAPAN.

The list of distribution points will be available for public access.

Launch Event Details

To celebrate the release of this significant publication, a launch event will be held on May 28, 2026, at nadoya yoyogiuehara, a 60-year-old home set in the heart of Tokyo. This event, in collaboration with the gathering project "FIRST PLACE," will foster dialogue about the relationship between clothing and water and the future of fashion.

Schedule:

- Date: May 28, 2026
- Location: FIRST PLACE | nadoya yoyogiuehara, Shibuya, Tokyo
- Doors Open: 15:00

Afternoon Session (16:00 - 18:00):

- Dialogue Guests: Mei Ichinose (Model) × Anisa Kamata (FASHION REVOLUTION JAPAN)
- Topic: The relationship between clothing and water, and the future of fashion
- Culinary Guest: Hiroko Mihara (Minamikaze Shokudo)
- Participation Fee: 2,000 yen (tax included)
- Capacity: 10 people

Evening Session (18:30 - 20:30):

- Dialogue Guests: Kazumasa Hirogaki (Professor at Fukui University) × Yuka Martine Mend (FASHION REVOLUTION JAPAN)
- Topic: Challenges and future of dyeing processes
- Culinary Guest: Hiroko Mihara (Minamikaze Shokudo)
- Participation Fee: 2,000 yen (tax included)
- Capacity: 10 people

General participation can be applied for via Peatix: https://fashionrevolution2026.peatix.com.

Profiles of Guest Speakers

- Mei Ichinose: A model born in Kyoto, Japan, she has achieved remarkable success as a swimmer and continues to advocate for social causes post-retirement.
- Kazumasa Hirogaki: An accomplished researcher specializing in dyeing and functional processing in the textile field, he has held numerous academic positions at Fukui University.