[Interview] Kazuya Sakamoto, Stylem Takisada Osaka Co., Ltd.

This is soil where you can plant whatever you like, whether it's vegetables, flowers, or seedlings, and enjoy watching them grow.
"TUTTI " is part of the "PLUS∞GREEN PROJECT" being promoted by Stylem Takisada Osaka Co., Ltd., which has the theme of "increasing greenery and connecting to the future."

The disposal of clothing and polyester fibers is a major issue worldwide.
Stylem, a textile trading company, is challenging itself to abandon the concept of waste and instead recycle and increase greenery.

We bring you the second part of our interview with Mr. Sakamoto, the central figure in the project.

You collaborate with a variety of people, how do you bring projects together?

I try to have important discussions when everyone is together. I want to become a team that is aligned in the same direction, with everyone saying, "We should do this." It can't be done by just one person. That's why I want to have a relationship where everyone can naturally join forces.

When it comes to working together to create something, it's best to have a flat relationship, without any hierarchy. I want to keep that in mind as we move forward, and even if I ask for help, I don't think we can continue unless we have an equal relationship.

Another thing I think is very important is to never forget to be grateful.

What did you gain from the project?

For the past decade or so, I have only known the textile industry, so being able to interact with people from other industries has been a most valuable experience.
When you come into contact with a new industry, things you took for granted don't apply, and even your perception of time changes. It's a very educational experience. There are many new discoveries, and I feel the joy of expanding my worldview.

It's not just about feeling excited and having fun, but also about establishing it as a business and passing it on to the next generation. That's why I want to leave solid results and create an example that shows that "you can succeed by taking on new challenges that have never been done before."
I believe that this will contribute to the company and will also help expand the possibilities for young employees in particular.

What are your thoughts on sustainability and the SDGs as you work on projects?

In Europe, it's a common thing, a foundation of life even if it's not spoken of, but I feel like it hasn't taken root in Japan yet.

I think that authenticity is best conveyed without going out of your way to proclaim it. I think that conveying it slowly, rather than rushing to communicate it, will lead to sustainability.
It's not easy to create a lifestyle where people feel comfortable with sustainability, but we intend to work on it without rushing.

Can you tell us about the future of the project?

I am considering three main developments.

The first is the upcycling business.
We collect unwanted items and recycle them. For example, if we collect 100 kg, we ask that you purchase an equivalent amount of "TUTTI" related products. This is how we create a cycle.

The second is green business.
By working with gardening companies like yours, we can come up with new systems for renting green spaces, and propose and sell plantings.

The third is agriculture.
As part of the PLUS∞GREEN PROJECT, STYLEM AGRI LABO opened in July 2021 within the Parche Fragrance House, operated by Awajishima Parche. We are developing products that mainly use herbs grown in the lab, such as essential oils. The third issue is how to operate this AgriLab.

Other than that, my future goal is to collaborate with specialized companies to partially utilize "TUTTI" in architectural greening and spatial decoration.

Is there anything you would like to convey from a different perspective than business?

On a more casual note, I would be happy if "TUTTI" lets people discover the fun and excitement of growing things, and makes them realize that it's surprisingly easy to do. Growing plants can also give them the opportunity to spend more time with their families.

That's my own experience. Once I started working in agriculture and gardening, my interest grew. Now I have about four pots of plants in my house.

Then the kids started to get interested too. When they saw "TUTTI", they would ask, "What is this?"
So when I told them that it was soil recycled from clothing (textiles), they were very interested and started saying things like, "I want to grow tomatoes myself!"

I grew up in the countryside, so being surrounded by nature was a given.
Since coming to Osaka, I've noticed the freshness of the local air and the blessings of nature. I think it's great for everyone to live a life surrounded by greenery.
I want to convey this feeling to my children.

Listening to you talk, I feel a tremendous amount of energy. What is the source of that energy?
Can I ask you a final question?

In high school, I was given the opportunity to be captain of a club for the first time. There were many difficult times, but I worked together as a team, and when we achieved results, I was happy to hear the words "thank you." I think that was the best thing for me.

Although he faced resistance from his classmates, when they said things like, "I'm glad you're the captain after all," it gave him the energy to take action again. If you ask me what the source of his motivation is, it's the experiences he had in high school that were the biggest factor.
I think that if someone says thank you to me, I will definitely say thank you in return.

I guess it's also a rebellious spirit and inferiority complexes. Things like, "I wish I'd achieved more when I was a student..." I grew up in the countryside, and there are a lot of people who are self-employed. My father is also a business owner, and I used to think, "If I were in charge, I'd do it like this."

I've never been satisfied. Being satisfied means it's probably over. So I'm always suffering in a way (laughs).

* "TUTTI" is a polyester fiber recycled product developed by Stylem Takisada Osaka Co., Ltd.
It is a registered trademark of the culture medium.

-Click here for the first part-

Sakamoto Kazuya <br>A young brand owner who works in the apparel industry but also pays attention to food issues.
He leads the team as a project leader and is also involved in concept design.

Stylem Takisada Osaka Co., Ltd.
https://www.stylem.co.jp/
A textile trading company with over 150 years of history, the company operates in four fields: textiles, raw materials, apparel products, and lifestyle.

In the textile business, we refer to environmentally and socially conscious textiles and materials as "ECOARCH®," and classify and develop them into five categories: environmentally friendly, organic, forest conservation, recycled, and animal welfare.