December 05, 2025
【Sustainable Japan Grand Prize】Lifestyle Accent Inc.
Factelier produces clothing in Japan and sells it both domestically and internationally. We partner with 60 factories nationwide, 90% of which are located in communities with fewer than 100,000 residents. Each visit to these factories reminds us of the beauty of local nature and the warmth of its people.
In Japan’s shrinking textile industry, sustainability has been central to our operations since our founding. We aim to purchase at prices desired by our partner factories and provide work even during off-peak seasons. For customers, we ensure lasting quality through strict standards, including a 10-wash durability test.
In 2024, we collaborated with Aichi-based furniture manufacturer Karimoku to address forestry challenges by repurposing insect-damaged oak. Though unsuitable for furniture, when soaked in an iron solution the wood turns a deep black — a color created from the tannins the tree released to protect itself from insects.
The first batch of furniture upholstered with recycled denim sold out immediately, prompting additional production. Customers welcomed the project not because it was “for the planet” in a general sense, but because it offered a truly special, one-of-a-kind product.
We will continue to cross industry boundaries to create items that delight customers while fostering sustainable environments in communities across Japan.
Reason for the award:
Factelier has pioneered a transformative model for Japan’s apparel industry through its innovative Satoyama Platform*, designed to sustain local craftsmanship while promoting fair and transparent production. By partnering directly with factories and eliminating intermediaries, the company ensures fair pricing and superior quality while empowering regional manufacturers to build their own brands instead of remaining subcontractors. This approach enables skilled artisans to pass down their techniques with stability, nurtures successors and creates employment opportunities for younger generations.
Equally important, Factelier shares the stories and values behind each product, cultivating a culture in which clothing is not simply purchased but cherished for the long term. Within just four years of its founding, the company achieved sales of ¥1 billion while continuing to pursue its vision of bringing world-class Japanese brands to global markets.
Factelier’s commitment extends well beyond commerce. By fostering pride among artisans and forging emotional connections with customers, it contributes to the vitality of regional communities. By directly linking producers and consumers, the company has created an innovative and internationally significant model — one that preserves Japan’s traditional industries while offering a forward-looking blueprint for sustainable business worldwide.
