PARIS FASHION WEEK: Yuima Nakazato and Epson partner to transform Haute Couture with Waterless Printing and Revolutionary Textile Recycling Innovation
Discover how Yuima Nakazato and Epson's partnership is Transforming Haute Couture with Waterless Printing and Revolutionary Textile Recycling Innovation.
What makes this relationship unique is its foundation in shared problem-solving, rather than traditional supplier relationships. As Nakazato describes it: "We are both fashion designers and engineers, working together as a collaborative, experimental team..."
When Haute Couture Meets Sustainability: The Future of Fashion - Yuima Nakazato presents “Glacier” his Fall/Winter 2025-26 collection during Haute Couture Fashion Week at the Palais de Tokyo, Paris.
The fashion industry faces an unprecedented environmental crisis. With textile mountains growing across Kenya, Chile, and India, and the sector contributing 20% of global industrial wastewater, the urgency for sustainable solutions has never been greater. A groundbreaking partnership between Japanese couture designer Yuima Nakazato and Epson is proving that luxury fashion and environmental responsibility can coexist—without compromising on creativity or quality.
Their collaboration, which began in 2022, represents more than just another sustainability initiative. It's a fundamental reimagining of how haute couture can be created, manufactured, and consumed through innovative digital textile printing and revolutionary recycling technologies.
A Designer's Quest for Sustainable Excellence: Yuima Nakazato's journey into sustainable fashion began with a practical challenge that many designers face. Fresh from graduating as the youngest Japanese student ever from Antwerp's Royal Academy of Fine Arts, he was searching for printing technology that could deliver exceptional quality whilst minimising environmental impact.
"I was looking for eco-friendly technology to print my designs onto the material... with exceptional print quality and a low environmental impact," explains Nakazato, reflecting on the dual requirements that led him to Epson's Monna Lisa digital textile printer.
The partnership that followed has been characterised by intensive collaboration and experimentation. What makes this relationship unique, is its foundation in shared problem-solving rather than traditional supplier relationships. As Nakazato describes it: "We are both designers and engineers, working together as a collaborative, experimental team..."
Material Science and Ink-Jet Evolution: The collaboration utilises two pioneering Epson innovations, introducing the latest innovations and materials that redefine the way sustainable fashion is designed and manufactured.
Double-Sided Digital Printing
Epson's latest ML-16000JQ printer has enabled a breakthrough in textile printing: the ability to print identical designs on both sides of fabric. This innovation incorporates a camera unit for the precise pattern matching of print between the face and fabric reverse. The printer can also recognise fabric patterns in real time to enable high-precision digital printing onto jacquard, embroidery, and woven lace fabric.
"Normally the printing is only on the surface and the other side was completely white, so I needed to cover the reverse surface, doubling the fabric used and adding to costs" explains Nakazato.
This technology provides designers with unprecedented creative freedom whilst significantly reducing material waste and production costs—a perfect example of how innovation can serve both artistic and environmental goals.
Dry Fiber Technology: From Waste to Wearable Art
Transforming waste into fashion, Epson Dry Fiber Technology (DFT) was originally developed for paper recycling. This waterless process transforms mixed textile waste into new materials without the environmental costs of traditional recycling methods. The technology works through defibrillation—using mechanical impact rather than water to break down fibres. This allows mixed materials to be processed together, creating new textile sheets that can be transformed into fashion fabrics.
From Kenyan Waste Mountains to Paris Runways: Nakazato's commitment to sustainable fashion was profoundly shaped by his journey to Kenya, where he witnessed firsthand the textile waste crisis. He collected 150 kilograms of second-hand clothing from waste mountains and transported it back to Japan with Epson, for processing using DFT. This experience became a driving force behind the collaboration's mission. After three years of development - that Kenyan waste has been transformed into high-quality materials for shoes and accessories showcased on the Paris runway, proving that sustainability and luxury can coexist.
The Creative Process: Where Vision Meets Technology: What sets this partnership apart is its integration of cutting-edge technology with traditional Japanese craftsmanship. Nakazato's creative process begins with strong conceptual vision before seeking technological solutions. "For me, first, I need to have a clear, strong vision in my mind," he explains. "And then second, I need to find solutions. I need to find tools. I need to find technology to realise in my visions."
His latest collection “Glacier” drew inspiration from Finland's Arctic environment, where he observed the relationship between human vulnerability and natural forces. The texture of the prints faithfully captures the essence of photographs taken during his travels, combined with his signature technique of using printed sheer silk organdy fabric to create distinctive, ethereal aesthetics.
Balancing Technology with Traditional Craft: Nakazato's approach combines digital printing with hand-painting techniques, creating garments that tell stories beyond their aesthetic appeal. He applies traditional Japanese lacquer techniques to DFT non-woven fabric sheets, creating finishes that resemble Japanese ink painting and washi paper.
This approach challenges the fast fashion model by creating garments with inherent narrative value, encouraging consumers to form deeper connections with their clothing.
The Environmental Impact: The environmental benefits of this collaboration are substantial. Epson Monna Lisa digital textile printing technology uses up to 97% less water than traditional dye-based analogue printing methods. Collectively, the textile industry is responsible for approximately 20% of industrial wastewater worldwide - making this reduction significant.
Additionally, an estimated 35% of all materials in the textile supply chain end up as waste, but digital printing allows for precise, on-demand production.
The Future of Fashion: A Shared Vision: The partnership between Yuima Nakazato and Epson represents more than a business collaboration—it's a shared vision for fashion's future. Their mission statement centres on bringing "the joy of one-of-a-kind garments to people around the world" whilst "reducing the industry's environmental impact while enabling the creation of high-quality custom clothing."
This vision acknowledges that sustainable fashion cannot sacrifice quality or creativity. Instead, it must enhance both through technological innovation and thoughtful design.
The collaboration continues to evolve, with new applications for DFT being developed and double-sided printing techniques being refined. The goal remains constant: proving that haute couture can lead the industry towards a more sustainable future without compromising on the artistry and craftsmanship that define luxury fashion.
This partnership offers a compelling blueprint for fashion's future—one where environmental responsibility and creative excellence are not competing priorities but complementary forces driving innovation towards a more sustainable textile industry.
Five Key Takeaways
Collaborative Innovation: The most significant advances in sustainable fashion emerge from partnerships between designers and technology companies, combining creative vision with technical expertise.
Waste as Resource: Technologies like DFT demonstrate that textile waste can become valuable raw material, potentially transforming the industry's linear model into a circular one.
Water Conservation: Digital printing technologies can reduce water usage by up to 97%, addressing one of fashion's most pressing environmental concerns.
Narrative Value: Sustainable fashion succeeds when garments carry stories that resonate with consumers, creating emotional connections that transcend mere aesthetics.
Gradual Transformation: Sustainable change in fashion requires patience and persistence, with innovations taking years to perfect and scale.
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