A-POC Queen, designed by Issey Miyake and Dai Fujiwara in 1997.
What is it- A knit tube that is generated using an industrial knitting machine. The machine weaves a repeating pattern expanding the roll of the tube. The pattern outlines clothing items such as dresses, shirts, socks, gloves, and hats. The way the tube is knitted allows the fabric to be cut along the outlines without compromising the tubular structure of the garments.
Issey Miyake was born in hiroshima, Japan on April 22, 1938. After studying graphic design and graduating from Tama Art University in Tokyo in 1965; he went straight to Paris. He began training with Chamber syndicate de la Haute Couture. Following his training at the French fashion house he took apprenticeships with Givenchy and Guy Laroche. In 1969 he took work designing for Geoffrey Beene in New York. At Geoffrey Beene he moved from haute couture to ready to wear. Just five years after his graduation from Tama Art University he returned to Tokyo and founded Miyake Design Studio in 1970. Miyake is not only a fashion designer, but a fashion innovator.
Dai Fujiwara was born in Japan in 1967. He attended Tama Art University, studying dyeing and weaving. After graduation Funiwara became a part of Miyake Design Studio in 1994. In 1998 He worked with Issey Miyake, launching the A-POC project.
Here is an example of anIndustrial knitting machine. Using a machine like this Issey Miyake and Das Fujiwara created the textile for this project.
Material: Knitted tubular fabric.
This is a diagram depicting tubular knitting.
The A-POC process allows very little wasted fabric. An entire outfit can be made from a surprisingly small length of fabric especially when compared to garments created using traditional methods.
A closer look at the A_POC process. Going from tubular knit to clothing, with no stitching!
Here’s an example of a more traditional layout of a garment pattern. The amount of un used wasted material is noticeable. This pattern is for one coat. Notice how a similar amount of fabric is used in Miyake and Fijiwara’s A-POC, yet more items are produced (and with less wasted fabric).
Inspiration: Wasted fabric. When making clothing the traditional way, much fabric is wasted in the process. Issey Miyake wanted to explore ways to create less waste.
Inspiration- Zero waste Kimono. Every piece of fabric is used within this waste free pattern.