Following the Tohoku disaster in March 2011, we’ve all thought much more about the kind of tools and clothes that we need when society as we know it breaks down. From flashlights to emergency supplies, water, geiger counters and warm clothing, you need a surprising amount of “basics” in order to survive the aftermath of a major disaster.
Fortunately, you are not alone and even Japan’s fashion designers are thinking of ways to help you out.
Final Home is a fashion brand run by Kosuke Tsumura, survival wear with a difference.
It proposes to provide ultra practical (and stylish) clothing fashion — to the extent that your coat can become your shelter after your regular home has been destroyed (by flood, typhoon, earthquake, tsunami, nuclear meltdown et al).
The signature product is a funky nylon coat with numerous pockets. These can be filled with stuff depending on the occasion. For example, if you are sitting at a sports game, slip in a cushion to make your seat more comfortable. Or if you roughing it in the wild, scrunch up sheets of newspaper and insert them in the pockets to add warmth (and fuel for fire).
Tsumura has also made clothes out of air cushions, with some pretty spectacular results.
Final Home actually started in 1994 but recently has been gaining a lot of attention, perhaps not coincidentally after the Tohoku catastrophe. Tsumura’s brand has been asked to contribute to the current exhibition at the Mori Art Museum, “All You Need is Love”, as well as an exhibit at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa until the end of June.
His designs was also spotted at Roppongi Art Night 2013 and he recently presented his work at the Nico Nico Gakkai Beta Symposium.
