Co-creating Cultures for the Future Week
The Power of Design to Create New Traditions: Shaping the Future of Lifestyles Agenda 2025 Co-Creation Program
Shape New World Initiative
[Hypothesis for the Future in 2050]A future where everyone can freely design their own lives and cultures.
Our lifestyles encompass a wide range—from fashion to UX design. While they are rooted in traditions based on ergonomics and history, they are constantly evolving in response to social changes and technological advancements. In this program, we will explore the future of lifestyles in collaboration with leading young creators.
Recorded video available
Discussion
- Art
- Cultural arts
- Local community revitalisation
| Transmission of simultaneous interpretation | Provided |
|---|---|
| Language of interpretation | Japanese and English |
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Agenda2025
Co-created Programme
- Time and
Date of
the event -
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2025.04.29[Tue]
14:00 ～ 16:00
(Venue Open 13:30)
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- Venue
- Theme Weeks Studio
Programme details
*Subtitles: Choose “Subtitles/CC” in the “Settings” (gear icon) at the bottom right of the YouTube video.
*Subtitles may not show with multiple languages or overlapping audio.
When we consider the essence of lifestyle as “self-expression and mutual understanding” and “the design of everyday surroundings,” its scope stretches from fashion to smartphone apps. In an era of rapidly advancing digital technologies and shifting environments, what are the things that change—and what are the things that remain unchanged? We will engage in discussions with a diverse group of creators, including a fashion designer who leads the world with original ideas, an entrepreneur who upcycles traditional Japanese kimonos, a creative producer who spans research and development, and a designer specializing in smartphone app UX. Together, we will explore how we can design the future of “lifestyle.”
Reports
【Reflection】
In this programme, ‘The Power of Design to Create New Traditions: Shaping the Future of Lifestyle,’ discussions were held with creators from various fields on how to design future lifestyles amid rapidly changing social environments and technological innovations, and how traditional culture will be reconstructed in the process.
Speakers included fashion designers, kimono upcycling entrepreneurs, UX designers, and creative producers, who shared their perspectives on ‘what changes’ and ‘what remains unchanged,’ as well as the ‘fusion of tradition and innovation.’ Even seemingly disparate fields such as fashion and application design were found to share common questions at their core, such as ‘self-expression and understanding others’ and ‘creating systems to enrich daily life.’
Particularly impressive were the practices that connected traditional values and crafts with contemporary issues and lifestyles. For example, the reinterpretation of kimonos and the ‘reweaving’ technique through upcycling, as well as projects that respect regional culture and history while proposing new uses, were introduced. These practices were highly evaluated as realistic approaches toward creating future-oriented traditional culture, rather than mere nostalgia.
Overall, this programme served as an important forum for dialogue, presenting the rediscovery of culture rooted in everyday life and the possibilities of creative reinterpretation. It is hoped that this will serve as a starting point for the further development of new forms of cultural co-creation through lifestyle.
【Post EXPO Initiatives】
What became clear through this programme was that the key to designing future lifestyles is not simply pursuing trends, but rather how to engage with elements such as history, culture, and region. Based on this insight, the organisers and speakers have developed plans to pursue various initiatives after the Expo.
First, it was confirmed that collaborative projects connecting regional culture and contemporary design will be continuously developed. Examples include product development through the upcycling of kimonos and traditional crafts, workshops in collaboration with local creators, and ‘reinterpretation of tradition’ through cultural exchange with overseas creators. These are not mere events, but rather initiatives that rediscover the value of regional resources and lead to proposals for sustainable lifestyles.
Second, the development of young creators and the formation of networks are also important goals. The speakers emphasised that individual expression is directly linked to the reconstruction of culture and society. To develop this idea, the creation of a co-creation platform for the next generation of creators and design education initiatives in collaboration with schools and universities are also being considered.
Thirdly, attempts to expand cultural activities through integration with technology are also being considered. By utilising digital technology and UX design expertise, we will explore ways to participate in culture beyond physical constraints through the archiving of regional culture, online dissemination, and the design of new user experiences.
These initiatives are not intended to be temporary, but rather aim to establish mechanisms for continuously co-creating culture. We believe that a cycle of practice rooted in dialogue is the foundation for building future lifestyles, and we plan to continue our activities while expanding collaboration across various fields.
*Part or all of this report was generated by AI.
Cast
Moderator
Ayano Sasaki
Representative Director, Catalyst Kyushu (General Incorporated Association)
With the vision of transforming Kyushu into “the Switzerland of Asia,” they connect Kyushu and the wider world through business and talent exchange. After graduating from Kyushu University, they earned a master’s degree in International Relations from the Schwarzman Scholars program at Tsinghua University. Following three and a half years at Boston Consulting Group (BCG), they founded Catalyst Kyushu. They also serve as Curator of the Global Shapers Community Fukuoka, spearheading diverse initiatives to ensure a sustainable and prosperous Kyushu for future generations.
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Speakers
Jenny Lai
NOT
Jenny Lai is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design and has built her career working globally, from Amsterdam to Mexico City to South Africa. She cultivated her craft through guidance under acclaimed fashion brands such as Viktor & Rolf, Boudicca, Bibhu Mohapatra, and Carla Fernandez. In 2011, she founded her independent fashion brand, NOT, where she creates innovative designs that inspire playfulness, individuality, and confidence. Jenny is also passionate about designing custom performance-wear for world-renowned musicians and dancers, pushing the boundaries of interdisciplinary performance.
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©Aya MURAKAMI
Aya Murakami
Ay inc.
Driven by a passion for African studies, she has been involved in organizing and managing entrepreneurship development programs and even launched her own venture, selling clothing made by women in Congo. In 2019, she founded her apparel brand, Ay. Today, with a mission to "reweave culture," she leads Ay, a cultural brand dedicated to embracing, unraveling, and reshaping Japanese traditions. Her work includes developing clothing and accessories made from upcycled Meisen kimonos and products that integrate local traditional crafts.
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Gabriel A. Vergara II
Multidisciplinary Designer and Creative Producer
Gabriel Vergara II is a multidisciplinary designer, creative producer, and design manager with over a decade of experience, including education at Central Saint Martins. His work has been exhibited internationally, and he has collaborated with award-winning studios such as Pentagram, Google ATAP, AfroditiKrassa, and Yuri Suzuki on projects for brands like Disney Imagineering, IKEA, LUMA Arles and Audi. He currently consults as a creative producer at Google Arts & Culture, partnering with global institutions and leading artists and designers on emerging tech and culture.
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Thihan Cho Oo
Human Interface Designer
Meet Thihan, a talented designer from Myanmar with a deep passion for crafting elegant digital products and creating innovative user interactions. His love for typography and visual design enables him to deliver holistic experiences that seamlessly combine beauty and functionality. Thihan began his design journey in the advertising industry before transitioning into digital product design. He is currently the Lead Product Designer at TikTok (Singapore), where he leads the design of payment-related features within the TikTok app. Before joining TikTok, he spent five years at Grab as a Lead Product Designer, focusing on FinTech innovations. During his tenure at Grab, Thihan played a pivotal role in launching several successful products across Southeast Asia for Grab Financial Group. He later joined an experimental tech division within Grab Financial Group, leading the design of groundbreaking products like Earn+ (an investment platform) and Grab’s Web3 wallet. Beyond his core responsibilities, Thihan contributed to the evolution of the Grab Design System and spearheaded AI-driven tech innovations. A natural collaborator, Thihan thrives in cross-functional environments, always pushing boundaries to create impactful and innovative user experiences.
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Co-creating Cultures for the Future Week
The Power of Design to Create New Traditions: Shaping the Future of Lifestyles Agenda 2025 Co-Creation Program
[Hypothesis for the Future in 2050]A future where everyone can freely design their own lives and cultures.
Our lifestyles encompass a wide range—from fashion to UX design. While they are rooted in traditions based on ergonomics and history, they are constantly evolving in response to social changes and technological advancements. In this program, we will explore the future of lifestyles in collaboration with leading young creators.
-
2025.04.29[Tue]
14:00～16:00
(Venue Open 13:30)
- Theme Weeks Studio
- * Programme times and content are subject to change. Any changes will be announced on this website and via the ticket booking system.
- * The schedule is subject to change depending on the organiser's circumstances.
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