Announcing the winners of the 16th Soalon Design Contest
Contest on designs using plant-derived semi-synthetic fiber held at Bunka Gakuen University
January 13, 2023
The Mitsubishi Chemical Group (MCG Group) and Bunka Gakuen University (in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan) announced the results of the final round from the 16th Soalon™ Design Contest that was held at Bunka Gakuen University on December 9, 2022.
Soalon™ is a triacetate filament yarn manufactured exclusively in the world by the MCG Group. It is a semi-synthetic fiber derived from plants, and is mainly made from wood pulp. This contest first started from an idea proposed by the MCG Group to Bunka Gakuen University. The proposal was made with the objective of supporting students who will play a leading role in shaping the future of the fashion industry, in addition to expanding awareness about Soalon™, which has been attracting attention in the apparel market in recent years both in Japan and overseas as a sustainable material with a low environmental impact.
This was the 16th time the contest was held, and from among approximately 600 submissions received using Soalon™, outstanding designs (3 works) and special award designs (2 works) were selected in the final round that was held in fashion show format featuring 15 designers and 30 works that had passed the first and second screenings. The 30 works that made it to the final round will be exhibited at the MCG Group’s 2024 Spring & Summer Textile Material Exhibition scheduled to be held in May 2023.
Award winners
- Gold Award : Sura Pak, 4th year, Creative Design Advanced Diploma, Bunka Fashion College
- Silver Award : Azusa Tsuchiya, 2nd year, Department of International Fashion and Culture Studies, Bunka Gakuen University
- Bronze Award : Ryo Fujimori, 2nd year, Creative Design Advanced Diploma, Bunka Fashion College
- Special Award (Tokyo Soir Award)
: Sura Pak, 4th year, Creative Design Advanced Diploma, Bunka Fashion College
- Special Award (Mitsubishi Chemical Group Award)
: Sura Pak, 4th year, Creative Design Advanced Diploma, Bunka Fashion College
Note: Sura Pak became a triple-award winner, receiving both the Gold Award as well as
the two Special Awards.
Theme: Similar -Garden Wedding-
“Similar” refers to a style of fashion where friends and loved ones coordinate their outfits to enjoy a common relatable look, but with less of the sameness of a “pair look” (matching outfits). Applicants were asked to submit garden wedding styles that go beyond gender differences and are suitable for the current era.
Judges
・Tokyo Soir Co., Ltd. President Junichi Koizumi (Chief Judge)
・Rawtus Designer Hisako Sato
・YUKINORI MORINAGA Designer Yukinori Morinaga
・THEATRE PRODUCTS Designer Akira Takeuchi
・motonari ono Designer Motonari Ono
・Mitsubishi Chemical Group Textile Creator Keiko Fujino
Group photo of the award winners and their designs
Runway show at the contest
Soalon™ is a triacetate filament yarn manufactured exclusively in the world by the MCG Group. It is a semi-synthetic fiber derived from plants, and is mainly made from wood pulp. This contest first started from an idea proposed by the MCG Group to Bunka Gakuen University. The proposal was made with the objective of supporting students who will play a leading role in shaping the future of the fashion industry, in addition to expanding awareness about Soalon™, which has been attracting attention in the apparel market in recent years both in Japan and overseas as a sustainable material with a low environmental impact.
This was the 16th time the contest was held, and from among approximately 600 submissions received using Soalon™, outstanding designs (3 works) and special award designs (2 works) were selected in the final round that was held in fashion show format featuring 15 designers and 30 works that had passed the first and second screenings. The 30 works that made it to the final round will be exhibited at the MCG Group’s 2024 Spring & Summer Textile Material Exhibition scheduled to be held in May 2023.
Award winners
- Gold Award : Sura Pak, 4th year, Creative Design Advanced Diploma, Bunka Fashion College
- Silver Award : Azusa Tsuchiya, 2nd year, Department of International Fashion and Culture Studies, Bunka Gakuen University
- Bronze Award : Ryo Fujimori, 2nd year, Creative Design Advanced Diploma, Bunka Fashion College
- Special Award (Tokyo Soir Award)
: Sura Pak, 4th year, Creative Design Advanced Diploma, Bunka Fashion College
- Special Award (Mitsubishi Chemical Group Award)
: Sura Pak, 4th year, Creative Design Advanced Diploma, Bunka Fashion College
Note: Sura Pak became a triple-award winner, receiving both the Gold Award as well as
the two Special Awards.
Theme: Similar -Garden Wedding-
“Similar” refers to a style of fashion where friends and loved ones coordinate their outfits to enjoy a common relatable look, but with less of the sameness of a “pair look” (matching outfits). Applicants were asked to submit garden wedding styles that go beyond gender differences and are suitable for the current era.
Judges
・Tokyo Soir Co., Ltd. President Junichi Koizumi (Chief Judge)
・Rawtus Designer Hisako Sato
・YUKINORI MORINAGA Designer Yukinori Morinaga
・THEATRE PRODUCTS Designer Akira Takeuchi
・motonari ono Designer Motonari Ono
・Mitsubishi Chemical Group Textile Creator Keiko Fujino
Group photo of the award winners and their designs
Runway show at the contest
