Lecture by world-renowned cotton breeder Sally Fox
On June 19, 2025, a special lecture was held as part of the efforts of "UNDYED," a brand developed by MN Interfashion Co., Ltd. that proposes "comfort without dyeing." The lecturer was Sally Fox, a leading expert on "undyed organic cotton" and developer of colored cotton, the core material of "UNDYED."
Sally Fox, a world-renowned cotton breeder, focused on ancient brown, naturally colored cotton and its resistance to pests and diseases, drawing on her knowledge of biology and entomology. For over 40 years, she has been working to improve and popularize natural cotton varieties that do not require dyes. Her organic cotton, which uses minimal pesticides, dyes, water, and energy, is now highly regarded around the world as a sustainable textile material.
This lecture was aimed at people in the apparel industry in Japan who share the philosophy of our brand "UNDYED," which is based on the theme of "natural colors and the comfort of undyed fabrics." Sally shared her valuable experiences, from her experience as a student when she witnessed the health hazards of dyes that led her to undertake research, to the challenges of breeding colored cotton, and the evolution of the American textile industry.
Also speaking on the day was Kosuke Mizuno from Taishobo Co., Ltd., a material supply partner for UNDYED and a long-time collaborator with Sally. He spoke about the background and thoughts behind the collaboration between the two companies, which has spanned over 30 years, having been involved in everything from planning to sales.
A Q&A session followed the lecture. Approximately 40 people participated, including representatives from apparel companies, primarily domestic select shops, and our own employees. There was a lively exchange of opinions on topics such as "ethical manufacturing processes," "market prospects for undyed materials," and "future possibilities for sustainable materials."
[Speakers]
Sally Fox: A cotton breeder living in the United States who was the first in the world to successfully develop and popularize colored organic cotton.
Mr. Kosuke Mizuno: Taishobo Co., Ltd.
Brand Overview
UNDYED is a label that explores the possibilities of "undyed materials" that make the most of the natural colors and softness of nature. By utilizing the colors and textures of natural materials derived from cotton and animals, and by never using chemical dyes and minimizing the use of unnecessary chemicals, the label aims to create products that bring out the natural comfort of materials while reducing the burden on the environment.
The cotton used at UNDYED is not just white, but also includes brown (fox brown) derived from ancient cotton and rare green cotton, and even animal fibers such as wool, alpaca, and cashmere are used in their natural colors. Compared to dyed cotton, the finished product is softer, making it gentle on the skin.
We view unevenness in materials and differences in harvest times, which may be considered inefficient from an industrial perspective, as "individuality," and value "pure manufacturing" that does not involve excessive manipulation.
Based on the philosophy of "NATIVE COLORS OF THE NATURE," UNDYED will continue to propose environmentally friendly options for the future apparel industry.
Official brand link
•Brand site: https://undyed.jp
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/undyed.jp
Company Profile
MN Interfashion Co., Ltd.
It was established on January 1, 2022 through the business integration of Nippon Steel Corporation's textile business and Mitsui Bussan I-Fashion Co., Ltd.
Company name: MN Inter-Fashion Ltd.
President and CEO: Isshin Yoshimoto
Headquarters: Akasaka K Tower, 2-7 Motoakasaka 1-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Business: Functional materials, functional textiles, industrial materials, apparel and fashion accessories, brand marketing, etc.
URL: https://mn-interfashion.com
Details about the brand are posted regularly on the official website and on the social media accounts of "LaunchPark," which provides information about the brand's own materials.
LaunchPark: https://launch-park.com/