SETO INLAND LINK is based on the concept of “diverse individuality woven by denim.”
We spoke with Kenichi Uneo, CEO of Yutori18 Co., Ltd., the event organizer.
Sharing the value of denim
Tell us how SETO INLAND LINK came to be held.
Uneo (surname only hereafter)
Local young people often leave the prefecture when they find a job.
In a world where there are many career options, people won't stay here if they aren't interested, will they?
On the other hand, even when young people come here seeking work because they admire Kojima denim, they can find a gap between reality and their ideals.
As a result, it is difficult to connect that interest to employment.
The key is how vividly we can share the many attractions of the denim industry.
We planned SETO INLAND LINK because we wanted to share the appeal of denim with people who don't yet know about it.
People need to understand the value of denim so that it can be passed on to the future.
Through this event, we want to approach people from many different angles and share denim's value with young people who have never been interested in it before.
We also want to show that denim can open up all kinds of possibilities.
Connecting through denim
What do you find appealing about denim, Mr. Uneo?
Uneo
I think it's that you can express your individuality.
Each person's lifestyle is reflected in the look of their denim, and even the finishes on the denim they wear can reflect their different tastes.
We make OEM products according to our customers' requests, but the process of making them requires the artisans' artistic skills.
Most of the work is done by hand, so the condition of the worker on any given day affects the result.
It's important to keep your motivation up and work at it every day, and that's also what makes the work rewarding.
Our employees arrange their workspaces however they like.
We make pants through a division of labor, and at first glance, every step seems like a simple task.
But these tasks involve a great deal of skill, and the feel of the work in your hands affects the finished product.
When two people work on the right and left legs of a pair of pants at the same time, they have to coordinate with each other.
Supporting the industry through change
How would you like SETO INLAND LINK to move forward alongside the denim industry?
Uneo
I think industries, like people, grow and change.
To use the analogy of soil and plants, I see the first SETO INLAND LINK as the stage where we are tilling the soil to increase the value of denim.
We have to keep cultivating the soil so that it becomes a place people choose to plant seeds in, and so that all kinds of people see its potential.
We want to use the first event to promote the soil, plant seeds at the second, and connect things so that flowers can bloom at the third.
As we meet people and grow, the second and third events will surely change in substance, too.
We want to cherish the story of how we get to the point where the flowers bloom.
Protecting the industry is important, but I think change is just as necessary.
Things can't stay the same; they have to change.
On my own, my ideas are limited, so I hope to build something through encounters with others, where someone picks up on my ideas or changes them.
I think what we need to keep something going isn't something we can see, but what lies ahead.
Industries, people, and events all have encounters waiting for them in the future. It's important to have choices, companions, and places that let us choose our future and change.
From the Writer
Kenichi Uneo became involved in the denim industry after taking a part-time job in denim processing.
At his company, Yutori18 Co., Ltd., which he runs, a diverse workforce is employed, mainly people in their 30s, as well as young people in their teens and experienced artisans in their 60s.
With the workforce in the denim industry aging, I found myself wondering whether it was unusual to have so many people in their 30s.
Perhaps Mr. Uneo has conveyed to them the value of the work and that “making products isn't simple labor—it's creative work.”
SETO INLAND LINK brings the community and people together, creating new connections.
It may also help more people discover the appeal and added value of denim and become interested in it.
This initiative was born to weave an industry recognized around the world into the future.
We can't wait to see what kind of chemistry it sparks and where it leads next.
SETO INLAND LINK Information
| Name | SETO INLAND LINK |
|---|---|
| Event dates | October 7 (Sat)–9 (Mon, national holiday), 2023 9:30 a.m.–8:00 p.m. (until 7:00 p.m. on the 9th) ※Exhibits at Ryokan Kurashiki are open until 7:00 p.m. on all dates |
| Location | Kojima Torajiro Memorial Gallery, Ryokan Kurashiki, Kurashiki City Kurashiki Monogatari-kan |
| Admission (tax included) | Free admission |
| Website | SETO INLAND LINK |
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