Paper Redressed

  • Shiori Aiba
Paper is an ancient material and was highly valued in the past, however today it has simply become banal. I aim to challenge our perception of paper as a weak, cheap material and instead take inspiration from the qualities and skills found in traditional Japanese paper-making.


Washi, the tradition of making Japanese paper, has recently been added to the UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage list because of the high quality and skill in crafting it. Made from the inner bark of Japanese shrubs, it has very long fibres, making it incredibly strong, flexible and durable. Furthermore, it is breathable and provides increased protection against UV and humidity changes.


Through this project I have created a series of garments made entirely from paper that are not only highly durable, comfortable to wear and totally biodegradable, but also celebrate the qualities and skills of ancient Japanese washi that are at risk of being forgotten. I hope to revive paper as an exciting material and to reveal the limitless opportunities of this most humble material to future designers.