June 20, 2025 |
Clothing For Contemporary Life, or CFCL for short, is changing the game. Known for its innovative approach to knitwear production, which utilises 3D computer programming, it’s a brand that feels comfortable in an increasingly digitised world. Founded by Japanese fashion designer Yusuke Takahasi, CFCL places eco-consciousness at its centre, becoming the first Japanese apparel brand to become B Corp certified in 2022. Now entering its 10th season, after being founded in 2020, Takahasi is more optimistic about the future of fashion than most. Explaining that computer-aided production will cut costs and “mitigate issues such as human rights violations, overproduction, and environmental degradation,” his innovations aren’t intended to benefit him alone, they’re intended to move the industry forward as a whole.
Aside from the 3D computer programming, which gives Takahasi the advantage of producing much less waste than manual processes, the majority of the materials in CFCL garments are recycled. For Takahasi, restricting the impact his brand has on the environment is more of a logical step than an emotional endeavour. 2020 was “marked by a heightened global focus on sustainability,” the designer says, and so integrating these values into the brand’s identity was a no-brainer.
Emotion never seems to be a big part of Takahasi’s process. When asked about how the digitisation of a traditional craft like knitting inspires him, his response is one rooted in ration. Highlighting the rise of urban living and an increased pull towards casualwear, Takahasi explains that the scope of knitted materials grew with them and in turn informed the brand CFCL has become. “Advanced programming of high-gauge knitting machines and technological advances in synthetic fibers have made it possible to create clothing with unprecedented sophistication while retaining the stretchiness of knitwear,” he says. “As a result, elegant dresses and suits – previously unimaginable in knit fabrics – are increasingly making their way into the wardrobes of modern urban life.”
This attraction to rationale extends into the design of the clothes themselves. “We prioritise designing garments that serve as tools for everyday life,” Takahasi says of CFCL’s signature aesthetic, characterised by clean, elegant silhouettes and easily matchable colourways. In turn, the brand has established a diverse customer base, with Takahasi highlighting that customers range from people in their 20s all the way up to their 80s. By opting for garments that feel understated but not basic, Takahasi explains CFCL is able to transcend “individual style preferences,” and make the pieces “suitable for all”.
Takahasi is intent on taking this one step further, launching CFCL’s new made-to-order service coined Signature earlier this year. Giving customers the option to personalise the brand’s most popular pieces, the service boasts the ability to produce over 10,000 possible colour combinations. With colour ways and graphics updated every few months, it’s the chance for the CFCL customer to capitalise on their individuality without sacrificing the eco-consciousness and tidy design at the core of the brand.
Expectantly, Takahasi has a clear plan for what lies in CFCL’s future. “Three things,” he specifies. “We plan to open a few new stores in the next year,” he says, as well as expanding the brand’s menswear arm, with this year marking “the launch of [CFCL’s] full-scale men’s collection, with the ambition of presenting it at Paris Fashion Week next year and showcasing it on the runway.” Intent on growing CFCL in all areas possible, Takahasi says he is also planning on publishing the brand’s first book. “Our ultimate goal is to establish the brand as a leading designer label from Japan, contributing meaningfully to the advancement of the global fashion industry,” he says. “In essence, we aim to create a new business model that scales the brand while simultaneously balancing social impact with creative expression, positioning ourselves as a collection brand of significance.” These are sky-high goals, but having had a small peek into Takahasi’s process, we’re sure he’s got a step-by-step plan for how to get there.
Photography courtesy of CFCL.
Yusuke Takahasi
