[VOUTRAIL FA] Student-Designed Children's Swimwear Commercialized and Launched at Shimamura Group's 'Birthday'

VOUTRAIL Fashion Academy (formerly Osaka Bunka Fashion College, Chairperson: Akitoshi Toyoda, Location: Osaka City, Yodogawa Ward), which nurtures designers and fashion professionals, has commercialized children's swimwear planned and designed by students from its Fashion Creator Department, 3D Modeler Course, through an industry-academia collaboration project with B.M.C. Co., Ltd. (hereinafter B.M.C.). The products are available on the online store of 'Birthday,' a specialty store for baby and children's products operated by the Shimamura Group, starting June 6, 2026.

Each student conducted research based on their own established worldview, taking charge of everything from concept development, print proposals, design, pattern making, to 3D modeling.

This project particularly leveraged 3D modeling technology, allowing for planning and proposals while digitally verifying the finished image, pattern appearance, and silhouette, thereby enhancing the reproducibility and completeness of the designs.

Following negotiations with buyers from Shimamura Group's 'Birthday,' four designs were adopted from the proposals made by eight students and have been developed into actual products for the market.

Sales Overview

Sales Start: Saturday, June 6, 2026

Sales Location: Shimamura Park (Birthday Online Store)

https://www.shop-shimamura.com/disp/itemlist/?popular_tag=産学協同&b=birthday

Collaborating Partner: B.M.C. Co., Ltd.

Items Handled: One-piece swimsuits, separate swimsuits, rash guards, surf pants, swim caps (22 styles in total)

Sizes: 100-120cm (swimwear items)

Price Range: 759-1,969 yen (tax included)

*Sales on the online store are scheduled for approximately two weeks.

Products for Sale

The four adopted designs each stem from unique concepts. Students built their worlds based on diverse inspirations such as movies, photography, and cultural trends of the era, meticulously designing every detail including color schemes, silhouettes, and finishing touches.

Designer: Ena Matsumoto (Fashion Creator Department, 3D Modeler Course)

Theme: "An elegant moment"

Inspired by the elegant and romantic atmosphere of European gardens. Aiming for swimwear that creates an image of a refined and gorgeous world, intended to bring happiness not only to the child wearing it but also to those around them.

Designer: Kanami Sekiya (Same as above)

Theme: "Heisei Gal"

Planned with the image of 2000s Shibuya fashion. Designed to embody the 'kawaii' of the Heisei era, evoking nostalgia for mothers who experienced it while also appealing to current trends for their children, balancing nostalgia with contemporary cuteness.

Designer: Kana Kimura (Same as above)

Theme: "Alice in Wonderland"

A design inspired by the world of photographer Tim Walker, with the theme "Strange Country." Expressing a fantastical and slightly mysterious mood, as if lost in a dream.

Designer: Hinako Jinnai (Same as above)

Theme: "Ladylike"

A design incorporating the image of 1950s resort wear. Tailored for upper elementary school girls transitioning into young ladies, it retains cuteness while adding a touch of mature, lady-like elements.

About B.M.C. Co., Ltd.

【Business Activities】

B.M.C. Co., Ltd., headquartered in Matsubara City, Osaka Prefecture, is a company engaged in the planning, manufacturing, and sales of apparel products, primarily swimwear and sportswear.

They handle everything from planning and development to production management, undertaking OEM business and new product development leveraging their long-cultivated manufacturing expertise.

Through products that combine functionality and design, they propose comfortable lifestyles to many customers and actively engage in nurturing next-generation creators through industry-academia collaboration.

【Company Profile】

Company Name: B.M.C. Co., Ltd.

Location: 1-7-31 Nishinono, Matsubara City, Osaka Prefecture

Business Activities: Planning, manufacturing, and sales of swimwear, sportswear, etc.

About VOUTRAIL Fashion Academy

Name change from Osaka Bunka Fashion College in April 2026. As one of the largest fashion schools in Western Japan, celebrating its 80th anniversary. Its philosophy is to bring 'joy,' 'confidence,' and an 'upward trend' to society through the power of creation, fostering talent capable of succeeding in the international community. In recent years, in addition to strengthening ties with overseas fashion schools, they have accelerated investment in the digital domain, focusing on cultivating creativity that fuses 'international sensibility' with 'digital skills.'

In 2025, they received the 'Grand Prize' at the 2nd Fashion School Award sponsored by Senken Shimbun, earning the No. 1 evaluation nationwide. Their vision is to be a fashion school that 'achieves unparalleled results in Asia and makes its name known to the world.'

Osaka Bunka Fashion College

VOUTRAIL Fashion Academy

Location: 3-35-8 Mikunikohonmachi, Yodogawa-ku, Osaka City

Chairperson: Akitoshi Toyoda

TEL: 06-6392-4371 / FAX: 06-6391-5600

https://www.voutrail.jp/

About the name change to 'VOUTRAIL' (Reference)

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000072.000081590.html

For inquiries regarding this matter, please contact:

VOUTRAIL Fashion Academy

Management Planning Department: Keita Kato, IR & Public Relations Division: Yoshitaka Saito

TEL: 06-6392-4371 / FAX: 06-6391-5600

e-mail: [email protected]

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