A Japanese nonprofit focused on medical welfare and fashion is planning a unique runway event in Paris that puts colostomy bags and other stoma equipment in the spotlight as wearable design. Traditionally seen as medical necessities and often hidden from view, these devices are being reimagined with input from traditional Kyoto kimono artisans, aiming to show that ostomy gear can be stylish and help normalize what many people rely on daily.
The upcoming show is part of a larger effort to break down stigma around ostomates, an estimated 13 million people worldwide who use bags and related equipment after surgeries that create a stoma. Organizers hope the Paris presentation, which follows earlier fashion exhibitions in Japan, will help shift perceptions by blending medical products with fashion and craftsmanship, turning gear once viewed as burdens into a form of expression.
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