The search of an IKIGAI...
KONNICHIWA,
This is Lola Hernández, creator of NIKAME and you are about reading a story. Not my story, not the story of another fashion company. This is the story of finding an IKIGAI
A life’s purpose
If you have never listened this word before let me introduce you its wonderful meaning.
IKIGAI (生き甲斐) is the Japanese word used to describe the reason why a person wakes up every morning to deal with all tasks, duties and the routine in general. The true motivation that keeps oneself moving forward. It means oneself life’s purpose.
While looking for a name that described the purpose of this project, another Japanese word suddenly came out. NIKAIME (二回目 ) which literally means ‘twice’, instils the ikigai of this project: to give a second life to pre-existing garments.
” Waste isn’t waste until we waste it “
NIKAIME IS A PROJECT BORN RIGHT AFTER I STARTED TO WORK FOR A FAST FASHION BRAND AND FACED WITH THE TRUE STORY BEHIND ONE OF THE MOST USED FABRIC IN THE WORLD: DENIM.
TO PRODUCE DENIM GARMENTS, FACTORIES WASTE TONNES OF WATER EVERY DAY AND USE NOCIVE CHEMICALS THAT POISON RIVERS. BUT ABOVE ALL, THOUSAND OF LIFES INVOLVED IN THIS PRODUCTION CHAIN ARE EXPOSED TO TRULY BAD WORK CONDITIONS.
” Good design is sustainable design “
THE NIKAIME PROJECT AIMS TO TAKE A STEP FORWARD THE RIGHT DIRECTION TOWARDS A SUSTAINABLE FASHION SYSTEM WITH THE CREATION OF NEW ARTICLES USING THE FABRIC OF UNSOLD JEANS COLLECTED FROM FAST-FASHION RETAILERS TO GIVE THEM A SECOND LIFE
NIKAIME’S SLOW LIVING PHILOSOPHY MOVES AWAY FROM THE EPHEMERAL TRENDS OF THE FAST-FASHION SYSTEM AND HANDCRAFTING PERMANENT COLLECTIONS OF ONE OF-A-KIND KIMONO JACKETS
Our raw materials
REPURPOSED JEANS
TO CREATE ALL OUR PRODUCTS, WE TAKE THE FABRIC JUST FROM EXISTING GARMENTS WICH ARE LEFTOVERS OF NATIONAL FAST FASHION BRANDS. THOSE GARMENTS HAVE NEVER BEEN USED SO THEY ARE NEW, FABRIC CONDITION IS PERFECT BUT THIS TIME THERE’S NO WASTE OF WATER OR USE OF CHEMICALS
ORGANIC BUCKWHEAT HULLS
TO FILL OUR MEDITATION CUSHIONS WE USE JUST 100% ORGANIC BUCKWHEAT HULLS FROM ALICANTE, SPAIN, THIS WAY WE REDUCE THE CARBON FOOTPRINT WHILE ASURE THE BEST QUALITY TO OUR CUSTOMERS (BESIDES ENJOYING THE NICE AROMA OF THE HULLS 🌾)
The 3R’s…
BECAUSE WE NEITHER BUY NEW FABRIC NOR WASH IT. WE CREATE ALL OUR ARTICLES FROM EXISTING ONES, WITHOUT WASTING WATER AND PRODUCING THEM LOCALLY
BY MAKING THE MOST OF JEANS LEFTOVERS. THIS WAY WE AVOID A LARGE AMOUNT OF GARMENTS BEING THROWN AWAY WITHOUT HAVE BEEN USED.
BECAUSE GETTING RID OF DENIM IS NOT THAT EASY. IF BURNT, TOXIC CHEMICALS ARE RELEASED TO THE AIR AND NOT ALL DENIM FIBERS ARE SUITABLE OF BEING RECYCLED. WE PURSUE TO EXTEND THE USABLE LIFE OF THIS FABRIC THROUGHOUT THE CREATION OF ONE-OF-A-KIND AND TIMELESS GOODS.
” Think yourself as a curator, rather than a consumer “
