News
October 1, 2026
Providing Ostomy Appliances That Brighten the Runway -- Leading to "A Tomorrow That's Truly Yours" Japan's Sole Domestic Manufacturer of Ostomy Products Participates in Paris Ostomate Fashion Show
Alcare Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Tokyo; President and CEO: Katsumi Ito; hereinafter "Alcare"), Japan's only manufacturer of ostomy appliances *1, will participate as a supporting company in the "STOMA Néo-ART Project" fashion show to be held in Paris, France, on October 6. This event is organized by the Japan Welfare and Medical Fashion Association (JWMF), a general incorporated association, and will take place at the Paris Science Center of the Polish Academy of Sciences.
Alcare will be responsible for the stoma appliances worn by two ostomates *2models during the fashion show. Designs created by Kei Hirabayashi, Representative Director of the Japan Welfare and Medical Fashion Association and the event's Design & Show Director, will be incorporated into stoma appliances at Alcare's Research and Development hub, the Institute of Medical Engineering. Alcare will produce and provide both prototypes and finished products that balance fashion and functionality.Through participation in this event, Alcare aims to advance the mission of its stoma division: "Walking alongside ostomates to help them realize a future that is uniquely their own."
*1 A specialized ostomy appliance for collecting excrement and secretions discharged from a stoma, consisting of a stoma bag to collect excrement and a faceplate that secures the bag to the abdomen.
*2 A person who has had a "stoma" (artificial anus or artificial bladder) created on their abdomen for the purpose of excretion due to various illnesses or accidents
Pioneering Comfort and Aesthetics in Japanese-Made Ostomy Appliances
Since developing "Lapack," Japan's first domestically produced stoma appliance, in 1965 at the request of the then-Head Nurse at the National Cancer Center, Alcare has supported the daily lives of ostomates through product development and manufacturing for over 60 years.
However, because stomas are located on the abdomen, it is not possible to tell just by looking at someone that they are an ostomate. Furthermore, since this involves the sensitive matter of excretion, many people do not voluntarily disclose their condition to those around them, and the reality is that public understanding remains limited. Therefore, we believe that further expanding social awareness is essential for ostomates to "realize a tomorrow that is true to themselves."
In light of this, we resonated with the event's purpose--"to realize a society where ostomates can live authentically and for society as a whole to recognize ostomates as fellow members of our community--through a fashion show themed 'From Hiding to Showing' and decided to participate.
For this event, we were responsible for the process of applying design concepts to the actual ostomy appliances worn by two ostomate models. After consulting with the models regarding the size of their stomas and the appliances they use, we carefully selected fabrics and printing techniques to create a flexible design that fulfills the appliance's functional requirements while ensuring no discomfort when worn. We took on the challenge of crafting unprecedented appliances that combine comfort and artistic expression.
Thoughts from the Project Lead
Yoshiki Matsuoka, Alcare Business Development Department
Until now, we have focused on functional aspects such as ease of use when planning our products. However, I was both surprised by the concept of elevating ostomy appliances to art and deeply resonated with this new challenge. I wanted to bring this vision to life using Alcare's technical expertise, which is why I decided to collaborate on the production of these appliances. We began by exploring how to translate the design into reality, starting from scratch. We carefully examined each model's body type and the ostomy appliances they normally use to determine the most suitable shape and design for each individual. We hope that this initiative will help create a society where ostomates do not have to give up on fashion because of their stoma, but can instead live positively, authentically, and with a smile.
Yuta Haga, Alcare Product Development Department
I was in charge of the actual production of the ostomy appliances, striving to faithfully reproduce what Mr. Hirabayashi wanted to express while also ensuring the appliances met the performance requirements expected of ostomy appliances. When selecting materials for the design, we conducted thorough evaluations--including actual try-ons to check for any discomfort--and went through a process of trial and error, taking into account factors such as printability and whether the design would adhere securely to the appliance. Through this challenge, I hope to change the "perception of ostomy appliances" not only among ostomates but also among people around the world. Rather than letting this end as a one-time event, I hope to build on this experience to develop a service that provides high-design ostomy appliances tailored to each individual's wishes.
Ostomate Model Evaluates Prototype Quality
At the talk event "STOMA Néo-ART Project Special PANEL DISCUSSION × FASHION SHOW PREVIEW," held on September 6 in Tokyo, we showed the prototype to model Ayako Kathleen Kosuge--who will wear the ostomy appliance produced by Alcare on the runway--and verified its functionality with the actual wearing scenario in mind.
Looking ahead to her appearance on the Paris runway, Kathleen said, "I'm so excited that it even appears in my dreams every night. With the appliance you've created for me, every day is going to be a joy. If I can style my outfit to 'show off' the ostomy appliance over my clothes and spark conversations with people around me asking, 'What is that?', I believe the public perception that it's something to 'hide' will change instantly. "By raising awareness about stomas through this event, I want to bring even more smiles to the faces of those living with them," she said enthusiastically. Additionally, when the development team checked the fit and functionality, she commented, "I usually use a different brand of ostomy appliance, but since they've carefully checked everything down to how it feels against my skin and the size of the adhesive surface, I know they've thought of every detail--so I'll feel confident wearing it on the runway."
Kathleen checking the size of the ostomy appliance's adhesive surface with the development team
[About the STOMA Néo-ART Project]
Aiming for "a world where everyone can enjoy fashion," this is the world's first fashion event organized by the Japan Welfare and Medical Fashion Association, a general incorporated association, that proposes total fashion--centered on stylish ostomy appliances--that only ostomates can create. Models from Japan and abroad walk the runway, seeking to shift the value from "hiding" to "showcasing."
[About the Japan Welfare and Medical Fashion Association]
This organization proposes innovative solutions to social challenges from the perspectives of welfare, healthcare, and design. Aiming to realize "a world where everyone can enjoy fashion," it continues to take on unprecedented challenges, such as wheelchair fashion, diaper fashion, and stoma fashion.
Representative Director: Kei Hirabayashi (Visiting Professor, Shijonawate Gakuen University; CEO, KEI's STYLE)
Vice Representative Director: Dr. Raita Yano (Chief of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Hiroshima Memorial Hospital / "Un-Commentator®")