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食はもうファッションだ。WEARABLE FOOD

Clothes that can be eaten. Clothes that return to the soil and become compost. Clothes made from food waste. The relationship between clothes and food is getting closer. We would like to consider the future possibilities of food and fashion.

土に還る服

Clothes that return to the earth

Just as the phrase “clothing, food, and shelter” suggests, fashion and food have long been regarded as essential elements that shape our lifestyles. However, the boundaries between them are gradually beginning to blur. At the heart of this shift is the growing value placed on circulation—a more sustainable, regenerative approach to living.
One initiative that caught our attention is that of Syncs. They turn discarded clothing into compost, returning it to the earth. That soil then nourishes vegetables and fruits—fashion, in this cycle, becomes a source of life itself. Moved by the beauty of this idea, we collaborated with Syncs to create garments designed to decompose and return to the soil.
Clothing is no longer just a product—it’s a resource that connects us to the future. In an era where food and fashion are beginning to merge, the traditional concept of “clothing, food, and shelter” may soon take on a whole new meaning.

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Syncs×TGM KANTOI ONE-PIECE Syncs×TGM KANTOI ONE-PIECE

¥19,800 (tax incl.)

The material is dye-free organic cotton, and the sewing threads are also made of cotton. This one-piece dress was inspired by the “kanto-gi” worn in Japan in the olden days. The design uses a straight pattern to minimize haggling during cutting, allowing the wearer to enjoy a variety of different arrangements.

Syncs×TGM HAPPI

¥37,400 (tax incl.)

The material used is organic cotton without dyeing, and the sewing threads are also made of cotton. This item was inspired by the Happi, one of Japan's traditional costumes. While retaining the elements typical of happi coats, the design is characterized by its modern style, and the drawcords at the collar and hem allow the wearer to freely adjust the feel of the garment. Earth or Urban Research (THE GOODLAND MARKET) to collect worn-out items, aiming to realize zero-waste.

SYNCSの目指す循環型社会
SYNCSを選べば、あなたの服を買うという行動は自然へと循環します。
あなたはいつもと同じように、心躍らせながら洋服選びを楽しむだけでいいのです。
SYNCSは自分も地球環境も犠牲にしない、そんな循環型社会を目指しています。
SYNCSは「土に還す」までの循環を
デザインするブランドです。

つくること

SYNCSの製品は100%土にかえります。

つかうこと

SYNCSの買い物は「服の一生」を購入する体験です。

つくること

SYNCSの製品は100%土にかえります。

すべての過程で0ウェイストを達成します。

洋服を土に還す、ということ

「Syncs(シンクス)」との協業

Collaboration with Syncs

In today’s society, where we are surrounded by an overwhelming abundance of material things, those of us who work in fashion must also recognize our role and responsibility. The rise of fast fashion has brought with it rapidly shifting trends—and, in turn, mass consumption and disposal of clothing. As people involved in the fashion industry, this is a reality we can no longer ignore.
Syncs has offered one powerful answer to this issue: returning clothing to the soil. Garments that would otherwise end their lives as waste are transformed into a resource that nurtures new life. Resonating deeply with this new value system, we are joining Syncs in advancing a project to create clothing designed to return to the earth.

会場で実際に見て触れるコラボレーションアイテム

Collaboration items you can actually see and touch at the venue.

This time, the collaboration items you can see in person at the "URBAN-PAKU" venue include two designs: a haori jacket that adds a modern touch to the traditional Japanese happi coat, and a folkloric-style dress based on the simple design of a kantoui (a traditional tunic). Both pieces are made from undyed organic cotton, with cotton thread used for stitching as well.
After use, you can return the items at THE GOODLAND MARKET in Horie, Osaka or at Syncs. They will then be composted and reused by mixing them into the soil at a farm operated by Syncs.

The material used is organic cotton without dyeing, and the sewing threads are also made of cotton. This item was inspired by the Happi, one of Japan's traditional costumes. While retaining the elements typical of happi coats, the design is characterized by its modern style, and the drawcords at the collar and hem allow the wearer to freely adjust the feel of the garment. Earth or Urban Research (THE GOODLAND MARKET) to collect worn-out items, aiming to realize zero-waste.

Syncs HAPPI

¥35,200 (tax incl.)

UCC

クリエイティブな発想は、

いつもコーヒーから

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With the theme “Unleashing the Power of Coffee for a Better World,” UCC is a company that explores new possibilities for coffee and takes on the challenge of creating unprecedented value. At this year’s Urban Expo, we are also showcasing collaboration items with UCC.
Known as the pioneer that developed the world’s first canned coffee in 1969, UCC gained widespread attention with its “UCC Coffee with Milk,” especially after the Osaka Expo (EXPO ’70), which helped propel the product to global recognition. This collaboration with a company so deeply connected to the Expo holds special significance—it serves as a key expression of the Urban Expo’s core message: the fusion of food and fashion.

UCCと一緒に取り組むアップサイクル

Upcycling in collaboration with UCC

UCC, the pioneer that invented canned coffee, showcases its flexible creativity not only through innovation but also through its environmental efforts—specifically, the upcycling of spent coffee grounds. These used grounds are repurposed in unexpected ways, becoming fuel, compost, recycled paper, ceramic glaze, dye, and more.
Among these possibilities, dyeing stands out as especially compatible with what we do best: clothing. That’s why, with full support from UCC, we’re offering coffee-dyed T-shirts at this year’s Urban Expo. Packaged in nostalgic cans modeled after the original UCC canned coffee that made its global debut at EXPO ’70, the warm, earthy tones of the coffee dye pair perfectly with the retro-style packaging.
Also available are drawstring and bottle bags made from burlap sacks used to import coffee beans. The result is a tiny coffee-themed collection—like adding milk and syrup to your coffee—that blends charm and sustainability.
This initiative, which connects food and fashion, has evolved into a collection of items filled with thoughtful design touches—nostalgic reminders of the previous Osaka Expo, and a creative “twist” that brings the past and present together.
Available in limited quantities at URBAN RESEARCH EXPO2025 STORE and UCC official online store.

家でも簡単にできる“抽出後のコーヒー粉”の再利用

Easy ways to reuse spent coffee grounds at home

Coffee dyeing can be easily done at home using spent coffee grounds or even old instant coffee. First, soak the fabric in a protein solution (such as milk or soy milk) to help the color set, and then let it dry. Afterward, immerse the fabric in a dye bath made by boiling the used coffee grounds to extract the color. Finally, soak the fabric in a saltwater solution to fix the color, rinse it, and let it dry. These simple steps are all you need to enjoy coffee dyeing at home.
For those who are interested in coffee dyeing through this collaboration, UCC’s official website offers a detailed guide on the process. Be sure to check it out!

UCC commpost TEE

This “commpost” T-shirt is dyed using upcycled coffee grounds collected from the Ueshima Coffee House, a food service business under the UCC Group. It also contains 30% recycled yarn made in part from discarded clothing provided by URBAN RESEARCH Co., Ltd.
The T-shirt comes in a specially designed case inspired by the packaging of UCC Milk Coffee, a product that gained popularity following the 1970 World Exposition held in Osaka.

UCC LUNCH BAG

This bag is crafted from repurposed jute sacks that were originally used by UCC for transporting raw coffee beans. Each sack features a unique and visually striking pattern, which has been thoughtfully preserved and highlighted in the bag’s design. Because the pattern placement varies from piece to piece, every bag is one-of-a-kind—offering the delight of selecting a design that resonates with your personal aesthetic.

BOTTLE BAG

This bag is crafted from repurposed jute sacks that were originally used by UCC for transporting raw coffee beans. Each sack features a unique and visually striking pattern, which has been thoughtfully preserved and highlighted in the bag’s design. Because the pattern placement varies from piece to piece, every bag is one-of-a-kind—offering the delight of selecting a design that resonates with your personal aesthetic.

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