CFCL

What CFCL does

CFCL (Clothing For Contemporary Life) is a Japanese contemporary fashion brand founded in February 2020 by designer Yusuke Takahashi, formerly of Issey Miyake MEN, with COO/Deputy CEO Naohiko Matsuura providing finance leadership drawn from Merrill Lynch Japan, Carlyle Japan, and Permira. The company designs, produces, and sells seamless knitwear for women, men, and children, plus accessories (bags, hats, socks, gloves), eyewear (CFCL EYEWEAR with 999.9), fragrance (EQUIP/EVOKE), and a porcelain tableware collaboration (PORCELAIN POTTERY with Hataman Touen). The foundational technology is proprietary 3D computer knitting on WHOLEGARMENT machines, which produces garments without cutting or sewing, integrating programming-based design with recycled yarn inputs and minimal material waste.

The brand operates a vertically integrated model. Manufacturing is anchored by the owned CFCL Knitting Factory in Sōka City, Saitama Prefecture (47 machines including 43 WHOLEGARMENT units, established January 2025), supplemented by ~15 disclosed partner factories. Distribution combines 8 directly-operated retail stores in Japan (Omotesando, Yaesu, Roppongi, Takanawa, Seibu Ikebukuro, Osaka, Hakyu Men's Osaka, Hankyu Umeda), a global DTC e-commerce platform at cfcl.jp, and wholesale partnerships with premium department stores and multi-brand retailers across 25+ countries including Isetan, Mitsukoshi, Barneys Japan, Le Bon Marché, Selfridges, CLUB 21, and Shinsegae. Custom revenue is generated through Personal Edition Signature and Personal Edition Enchantment (¥385K-¥2.75M bespoke dresses with ~4-month lead time).

CFCL monetizes through unit sales across ready-to-wear ($261-$1,734 USD), accessories, custom orders, and limited collaborations (VEJA, SHISEIDO, ASICS, Hataman Touen). Brand visibility is built around Paris Fashion Week runway presentations (official calendar since September 2022), the BoF 500 Class of 2025 designation, Vogue Business 2024 100 Innovators, and Mainichi Fashion Awards. The company achieved B Corp certification in July 2022 as the first Japanese apparel brand to do so, and maintains European operations through wholly-owned subsidiary CFCL FRANCE S.A.S. in Paris.

Name

CFCL

Legal name

株式会社CFCL

Website

https://cfcl.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

CFCL is a Japanese contemporary fashion brand (founded 2020) that designs, produces, and sells seamless knitwear using proprietary 3D computer knitting technology across 8 Japan retail stores, global e-commerce, and wholesale in 25+ countries, serving premium contemporary consumers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Seamless Knitwear Apparel

NAICS

Apparel Manufacturing (315), Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing (31599), Apparel Knitting Mills (31512)

SIC

Knit Outerwear Mills (2253), Women's, Misses', And Juniors Outerwear (2330), Retail-Women's Clothing Stores (5621)

akta.pro primary industry

Knitwear & Sweaters Manufacturers (CRAAAAAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cold-Weather Accessories Manufacturing (Thermal Sets/Arm & Leg Warmers) (IMAOAFAJ), General Fabric & Textile Stores (CRALADAA)

Keywords

• WHOLEGARMENT knitwear
• Seamless apparel manufacturing
• 3D knitted apparel
• Made-to-order garments
• Recycled yarn clothing

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Direct Retail Sales: Revenue from 8 directly-operated retail stores across Japan including flagship locations in Omotesando, Roppongi, Osaka, and other major cities, offering the full product range including ready-to-wear, accessories, and personalized items.
2. E-commerce Online Store: Direct-to-consumer sales through the official CFCL online store (cfcl.jp) serving domestic and international customers with shipping to Asia, Oceania, Europe (EMS), Americas and Korea (OCS), and worldwide via FedEx.
3. Wholesale Distribution: Sales to department stores (Isetan, Mitsukoshi, Takashimaya, Barneys) and multi-brand retailers in Japan and internationally across Asia, Europe, North America, and Oceania.
4. Personal Edition Custom Orders: Made-to-order custom garments through Personal Edition services (Signature and Enchantment) with pricing from ¥385,000 to ¥2,750,000 and approximately 4-month lead time.
5. Eyewear Line (CFCL EYEWEAR): CFCL EYEWEAR launched in 2024 in collaboration with 999.9 (FOUR NINES), featuring titanium frames manufactured using 999.9's high production technology.
6. Collaboration Products: Revenue from limited edition collaboration products including CFCL x VEJA sneakers (V-90 model), CFCL x SHISEIDO Personal Edition Signature, and CFCL x ASICS GEL-LYTE III.
7. Tableware / Porcelain: PORCELAIN POTTERY tableware collection in collaboration with Hataman Touen (350-year history of Imari ware), including teacups, mugs, plates, bowls, and vases.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels9 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

CFCL designs, manufactures, and sells advanced-contemporary apparel centered on computer-programmed 3D knitting and seamless garments. Its range includes women's, men's, and children's knitwear, accessories, eyewear, fragrances, porcelain tableware, and Personal Edition made-to-order clothing, sold through company-operated stores, e-commerce, and wholesale retail partners.

Product overview

CFCL (Clothing For Contemporary Life) is a Japanese fashion brand founded in 2020 by Yusuke Takahashi, specializing in 3D computer knitting technology. The core offering is computer-programmed seamless knitwear ranging from dresses to accessories, produced through proprietary manufacturing. The portfolio includes: the VOL.12 Collection (current season with POTTERY and MILAN series), complete WOMEN/MEN/KIDS apparel lines, ACCESSORIES (bags, hats, socks), CFCL EYEWEAR (titanium frames with 999.9), FRAGRANCE (EQUIP/EVOKE), and TABLEWARE (PORCELAIN POTTERY with Hataman Touen). The brand offers personalization services (Personal Edition - Signature and Enchantment) and has established owned production capability (CFCL Knitting Factory with 47 WHOLEGARMENT machines). Notable collaborations include VEJA sneakers and SHISEIDO. All products emphasize sustainability through recycled materials and waste-minimizing seamless construction.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CFCL EYEWEAR: Eyewear line launched in 2024, featuring frames made with titanium materials in collaboration with 999.9 (FOUR NINES).
• PORCELAIN POTTERY
• CFCL x VEJA

Products and services

• VOL.12 Collection (Fall/Winter 2026) CFCL's Fall/Winter 2026 womenswear and menswear collection, including the POTTERY and MILAN series and accessories such as dresses, tops, cardigans, jackets, pants, and bags.
• POTTERY Series A signature knitwear collection featuring 3D computer-knit garments with sculptural asymmetric pleats and glitter-thread details, including dresses, skirts, tops, and cardigans.
• Milan Series A knitwear collection in solid Milano rib fabric featuring boxy tailored jackets, pullovers, wrap-collar tops, and pants, designed with a refined minimalist aesthetic.
• HYPHA Series A dimensional-knit bag collection combining pin tucks and ribbing, including DAYFUKU furoshiki-inspired bags, STRATUM totes and elongated bags, and MILAN shoulder bags and a backpack.
• WOMEN Collection CFCL womenswear comprising dresses, tops, cardigans, jackets, outerwear, skirts, pants, and innerwear in sizes 1-7.
• MEN Collection CFCL menswear comprising tops, shirts, cardigans, jackets, outerwear, and pants in sizes 1-7.
• KIDS Collection CFCL children's apparel comprising dresses, tops, cardigans, and skirts in the KIDS size range.
• ACCESSORIES CFCL accessories including bags, hats, socks, gloves, and shoes that complement the main apparel collections.
• CFCL EYEWEAR An eyewear line launched in 2024 with high-purity titanium frames crafted as a single continuous line that echoes CFCL's one-piece knitwear aesthetic; the frames are manufactured using 999.9 technology.
• FRAGRANCE (EQUIP / EVOKE) CFCL personal-scent products comprising EQUIP perfume and EVOKE incense.
• TABLEWARE / PORCELAIN POTTERY A porcelain tableware collection created with Hataman Touen (畑萬陶園), with minimalist forms inspired by the POTTERY SKIRT silhouette and including teacups, mugs, plates, bowls, and vases.
• Personal Edition - Signature A made-to-order clothing service that allows customers to select the style, color, and size of iconic CFCL pieces, including a limited SHISEIDO collaboration color palette based on Shiseido face colors.
• Personal Edition - Enchantment A bespoke occasion-dress ordering service available at CFCL OSAKA and CFCL ROPPONGI, with prices from ¥385,000 to ¥2,750,000 and an approximately four-month lead time.
• CFCL | VEJA V-90 Sneaker A collaborative VEJA V-90 sneaker unveiled at Paris Fashion Week VOL.11 for Spring/Summer 2026, combining CFCL's sustainable knitwear approach with VEJA's sneaker design and production expertise.
• CFCL | ASICS GEL-LYTE III CM 1.95 A collaborative ASICS GEL-LYTE III CM 1.95 sneaker offered in BLACK/BLACK, POTPOURRI/BLAZING YELLOW, and WHITE colorways.

Quantifiable outcome

• B Corp certification - first Japanese apparel brand to achieve this environmental/social responsibility certification
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered key collaboration, core, minor collaboration and key.

• 999.9 (FOUR NINES)key collaborationStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 July 2026CFCL EYEWEAR launched in 2024 in collaboration with Japanese eyewear brand 999.9. The eyewear line features frames made from high-purity titanium, with smooth single-line frames reminiscent of CFCL's knitted apparel. The debut was showcased at the 'SUN & GLASSES' pop-up event at Isetan Shinjuku Men's Building.
• VEJAkey collaborationStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 July 2024CFCL collaborated with VEJA on the V-90 sneaker, unveiled at Paris Fashion Week VOL.11 (Spring/Summer 2026) collection. The collaboration reflects shared values and aesthetics of both brands, creating a timeless, sporty design combining CFCL's sustainable knitwear approach with VEJA's sneaker expertise.
• SHISEIDOkey collaborationStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024CFCL and SHISEIDO collaboration on Personal Edition 'Signature' featuring a special color palette inspired by SHISEIDO's face colors. The collaboration allows customers to enjoy their favorite CFCL garments with curated color selections.
• Hataman Touen (畑萬陶苑)key collaborationStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024CFCL collaborated with Hataman Touen, a 100-year-old pottery maker with 350 years of Imari ware tradition, to create the 'PORCELAIN POTTERY' tableware collection. The collection features minimalist forms inspired by CFCL's POTTERY SKIRT silhouette, with sizes designed for modern living and forms utilizing the natural texture of the material.
• AMB BASE (Sōka City)coreOthers · 1 January 2024Facility housing the CFCL Knitting Factory in Sōka City, Saitama Prefecture, where the brand established its own production facility.
• ASICSminor collaborationStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023CFCL collaborated with ASICS on the GEL-LYTE III CM 1.95 sneaker, available in BLACK/BLACK, POTPOURRI/BLAZING YELLOW, and WHITE colorways.
• Mitsukoshi/IsetancoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2020Major Japanese department store group and primary trading partner for CFCL, operating flagship stores in Ginza, Nihonbashi, Shinjuku, and other major Japanese cities.
• Barneys JapancoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2020Premium department store chain and trading partner for CFCL, with locations in Ginza and Roppongi.
• Sasabirilug (伊藤忠モードパル)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2020Fashion trading company and primary trading partner for CFCL distribution in Japan.
• Tomorrowland (EDITION)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2020Multi-brand fashion retailer operating EDITION stores across Japan, carrying CFCL collections at locations including Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, and other major cities.
• Le Bon Marché MAISON ARISTIDE BOUCICAUTcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2020Historic department store in Paris and European wholesale partner for CFCL.
• Selfridges & Co.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2020Premier department store in London and UK wholesale partner for CFCL.
• Shinsegae International Inc.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2020South Korean department store group and Korea wholesale partner for CFCL.
• Club 21 (Thailand) Co LtdkeyChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2020Regional fashion retailer with operations in Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Taiwan, serving as key Asian wholesale partner.
• MC Fashion株式会社coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2020Fashion trading company and primary trading partner for CFCL distribution in Japan.
• Umeda Knit (株式会社ウメダニット)coreOthers · 1 January 2020Partner factory for CFCL knitwear production, one of several partner factories including Ebizawa, Eru Mano, Ohkawa, Kawashima, Kumamoto Knit, Kurokawa Knit, Shigematsu Hat, Shirakura Knit, Shiraishi Polytex, Daiichi Knit Marketing, Terada Knit, Fuyumuro Knit, Matsumaru Knit, Yaga, and World Industry Knit Hall Factory.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Lemaire: French contemporary label known for elegant knitwear and architectural knit dressing. Shares the advanced contemporary minimalist-knit positioning with CFCL, distributed through Le Bon Marché, Selfridges, and select multi-brand retailers globally.
• A.P.C. Parisian contemporary brand with minimalist denim and knitwear appeal, distributed globally through own stores and partners. Comparable to CFCL in accessible contemporary premium pricing and French wholesale connection.
• Acne Studios: Stockholm-based advanced contemporary fashion brand with strong knitwear heritage and global wholesale presence in Le Bon Marché, Selfridges, and Isetan-style department stores. Competes with CFCL for the same contemporary knit consumer.
• Nanushka: Budapest-based contemporary brand with a strong sustainability narrative and knit-forward assortment, distributed via Selfridges, Net-a-Porter, and leading multi-brand retailers across Europe and Asia — overlapping with CFCL in positioning and channels.
• Toteme: Swedish advanced contemporary label known for minimalist, sculptural knitwear and high-end placement at Net-a-Porter, Selfridges, and Bergdorf. Highly comparable in aesthetic, pricing, and target customer as a CFCL peer.
• Christopher Esber: Australian advanced contemporary womenswear label known for knit-driven, sculptural, and minimalist designs. Explicitly cited as a CFCL comparable in the advanced contemporary segment, sharing similar pricing, aesthetic, and department store placement.

Broad incumbents

• Comme des Garçons: Japanese avant-garde fashion house led by Rei Kawakubo. Shares Tokyo design heritage with CFCL and overlap in Japanese fashion-elite positioning, distribution in Dover Street Market and Barneys-style department stores, and runway-led brand building.
• Stella McCartney: Established luxury contemporary brand built on a sustainability/ethical-fashion narrative with global multi-channel distribution. Comparable to CFCL in ESG messaging and B-Corp-style credentials, though operating at a much larger scale and price band.
• COS (Collection of Style): H&M Group's contemporary-minimalist global apparel chain with strong knitwear offering and own retail + wholesale presence. Operates as a broader-incumbent competitor in the contemporary knit and sustainable-styled apparel segment where CFCL plays.
• Issey Miyake: Japanese fashion house known for pioneering pleated and knit garment innovation, founded by designer Issey Miyake. Highly comparable to CFCL given founder Yusuke Takahashi's tenure at Issey Miyake MEN and CFCL's computer-knitting heritage positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CFCL_official
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCfB0T6Bvkd_mAtD2L-60Qlw
• Facebookfacebook.com/CFCL.jp
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cfcl
• Instagraminstagram.com/cfcl_official

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CFCL