Who knew that a Sunday morning among needles and thread could feel like such a cultural adventure?
We recently stepped into a quietly captivating world at UNIQLO Regent Street, where fast fashion took a thoughtful pause to celebrate slow fashion with the reception of the exhibition Sashiko: The Art of Japanese Repair Stitching on Sunday, 18th of May —a collaboration between UNIQLO and Studio Masachuka that was anything but ordinary. This event was part of the final day of this year’s London Craft Week, the annual citywide festival that celebrates exceptional craftsmanship and creativity from around the world. Each May it features a curated program of exhibitions, workshops, talks, and demonstrations across London, offering visitors the opportunity to engage with both traditional and contemporary crafts. London Craft Week brings together over 1,000 established and emerging makers, designers, brands, and galleries, highlighting the skill and innovation behind handmade objects.
From the moment we arrived, an hour before the usual opening time of the busy Regent Street’s store, the store’s ever-present buzz was replaced by a calm, contemplative hum, with centuries-old kimonos greeting us like time-traveling storytellers in the RE.UNIQLO repair and remake studio on the lower ground floor. These weren’t just any kimonos—they were lovingly preserved pieces showcasing Sashiko, a Japanese embroidery technique that once served a purely practical purpose: mending clothes to make them last longer. In the Edo period, farmers in Japan’s chilly Tsugaru region weren’t allowed to wear cotton, so they got creative. They stitched cotton threads into their rough hemp garments for warmth and strength, birthing the distinct style known as Tsugaru Kogin.
A Stitch in Time with Stories Behind Every Thread
Image Credit: 北東北エリアマガジンrakra
The event’s heartbeat was the deeply personal display curated by Maiko Ishita of Yume Miru Kogin Kan, whose delicate yet resilient pieces once belonged to her grandmother, Akiko Ishita. Each stitch told a story—not just of the garment, but of a family legacy carried forward with quiet reverence and bold creativity.
Alongside her collection were historic and modern examples of Kogin embroidery that quite literally stitched together the past and future. For those who think embroidery is all doilies and domesticity, this showcase challenged every stereotype. The geometric intricacy of the patterns was mesmerizing—part math, part magic—and the sustainability message behind it felt remarkably current. We even saw an upcycled rucksack that was remade during World War II from the bodice of a Meij-era Kogin-stitched kimono. Another testimony to how many stories, eras and values objects like this carry.
Maiko Ishita talked us through the different displays and gave many anecdotes and insights into how the Kogin stitching tradition shaped her family and herself.
Rakra: Joyful Living, Beautifully Documented
Image Credit: 北東北エリアマガジンrakra
Adding depth and further expertise to the experience was rakra (ラクラ) magazine, a Tohoku-based lifestyle publication that’s been capturing the rhythm of everyday life in Northeastern Japan for over 100 issues. Their presence here grounded the exhibition in lived experience, giving visitors not just beautiful visuals but a window into the community where Sashiko was born. The name “rakra” comes from the Japanese words for “joy” (楽) and “living” (暮), and that ethos was felt in every corner.
A Modern Take from Studio Masachuka
Image Credit: 北東北エリアマガジンrakra
Studio Masachuka, the London-based design collective, is here to thread innovation through tradition. Their curated contributions and modern garments demonstrated how this ancient art form is being reimagined—not as a nostalgic relic, but as a living, wearable piece of art.
A Journey to Tsugaru Without Leaving London
The accompanying photographs of the Tsugaru region—its snow-dusted fields, rugged coastlines, and warm-hearted residents—gave a real sense of place. It was more than just a backdrop; it felt like a character in the story, integral to the survival and spirit of Kogin embroidery.
Needles in Motion: An Interactive Highlight
Image Credit: 北東北エリアマガジンrakra
One of the most engaging parts of the reception? The live demonstrations. Watching the slow, intentional stitching up close made us realise just how meditative—and technically impressive—this art form is. Guests were invited to watch closely and immerse themselves into the history and many different forms and shapes of Sashiko stitching , embracing a spirit of creativity and cultural appreciation within Uniqlo’s Grade I listed dome space on the lower ground floor, which used to be a fully operational barber shop in the 1920s when Austin Reed was based there, and is now the space used for the RE.UNIQLO Studio. Once inside the studio, you’ll find that the old-school charm of the original Art Deco barbershop still shines through—only now, it’s been given a clever fashion-forward twist, very much in line with Uniqlo’s impressive sustainability mission. At this unique Uniqlo space, shoppers can bring in their well-loved items for a bit of TLC, with mending services starting at just £3, courtesy of skilled staff.
But that’s just the beginning. Uniqlo has levelled up its free alterations game—what used to be only for selected bottoms now extends to a wider range of clothing. Enter the RE.UNIQLO Studio: a hub for creativity, where the ‘Remake’ service takes center stage. Here, visitors can not only repair and refresh their clothes but also learn more about Uniqlo’s innovative upcycling efforts.
Traditional Japanese tools like Shozaburo scissors and Misuya Bari needles are available to buy, so you can practice the art of mindful mending at home. This inspiring initiative is brought to life through a collaboration with London’s Studio Masachuka and the imaginative pattern designer Zeena Shah.
An event full of creativity, community spirit and history
This exhibition which was part of London Craft Week 2025 embodied a rare retail moment where artistry, heritage, and sustainability aligned beautifully. In a world that often celebrates the new and disposable, ‘Sashiko: The Art of Japanese Repair Stitching’ is a powerful reminder that the old, the worn, and the carefully mended can hold far more meaning.
