Kota Fukunaga

I lost my upper left arm in an accident. After being hospitalized for about a month and being discharged, I started getting used to my daily life while undergoing rehabilitation treatment. Six months later I began my life living alone. There have been difficult things to do and things that take some time in doing, but with some ingenuity and the assistance of others, I am able to live my life.

I became interested in fashion when I went shopping with my friends. I was confused when I saw clothes with various designs and colors, and my friend recommended that I should try on some of them. I wound up buying them. I hadn't really thought about fashion before, and I hadn't even read any fashion magazines. Since then, I have had more opportunities to look at clothes. Thanks to my friends who are interested in fashion, there are clothes that I never thought I would wear and shops that I didn't even know existed. It really feels like my horizons have been expanded.

Right now, I personally feel that fashion and style can be enjoyed freely, and all human beings can enjoy it regardless of age, gender, nationality, or disability. I think fashion is a tool that can eliminate various barriers.

From one-tone, calm and conservative clothes to colorful ones, all clothing is attractive and can be entertaining just by looking at them. If one wears such clothing, that individual can feel a sense of exhilaration. Even if one feels odd at first, it will gradually fit the individual and become your favorite item before you know it. I have also had similar experiences.

When choosing clothes, the point I am concerned with the most is the design and the image of myself wearing those clothes. Since I am wearing a prosthetic arm, I am always wondering if it will pass through the sleeves smoothly. Since the shoulder and the tip of the arm are covered with a socket, the entire limb becomes one size larger and the prosthetic arm itself cannot be moved. Therefore, in light of these circumstances, I choose clothes that are easy to put on and wear. Depending on the usage, I may wear slightly tight clothes, but they may take time to put on and wear. They may not have enough elasticity too.

The clothes in Photo 1 are often worn during the hot summer months. Summer clothes have short sleeves, so I don't have to worry about them, but I often wear a little too big for me like the ones in the picture. The clothes in Photo 2 are often worn during the cold winter months. I found this outfit at a used clothing store. The length is just the right size, but it is loose and roomy overall, The sleeves are baggy, so it is versatile and easy to put on and wear. I put a coat on over it, while also emphasizing the ease of passing the arms through the sleeves.

Photo 1 Photo 2 

I didn't feel comfortable because I was stared at when I wore summer clothes with short sleeves in various places. Now, I really don't mind being stared at probably because I feel good wearing my favorite fashions.

About fashion and style, I would like to continue to wear what I like, and I am also interested in overseas fashions and styles which are environmentally friendly. The Kente style of the Republic of Ghana is very interesting because of its vibrant colors and artistic patterns. It seems that each color has its own meaning.

Also, with environmentally-friendly fashion, it seems that there are items made by reusing resources such as dresses made from plastic bottle lids and shoes made from discarded plastic. I want to incorporate such fashion and repair the items I have at hand so that I can wear them for a long time.