A diversity fashion show created by LGBTQ and their supporters, ALLY

This project is a fashion show created by LGBTQ and their supporters together to accelerate the realization of a “society that recognizes diversity” by taking advantage of the opportunities presented by the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai , which attracts a wide variety of people from all over the world.
The goal is to create a diversity fashion show with costumes and styling based on genderless and borderless themes and models of various genders.
The show is being held annually in Osaka city from 2021.

Project Inauguration

LGBTQ people are said to be about 9.7% of the population, the same percentage as type AB and left-handed people. However, many people do not feel close to the existence of LGBTQ people, and in reality, the society is not well understood, making it difficult for LGBTQ people to live in.
Therefore, we wanted to increase the number of ALLY (ALLY = LGBTQ supporters) and “visualize” them by getting them to know and be interested in the LGBTQ community. The name “Kansai Alaimo” is a reflection of our wish for “more ALLY from Kansai”.
We launched this project to provide an opportunity for people to learn about diversity through “fashion” content that is familiar to everyone.

Project Activities

So far, fashion shows have been held at various locations such as Grand Front Osaka and Nakanoshima Art Museum.
In 2023, the show will be held inside a Kintetsu train car.
This was the first time in history that a fashion show was held on a Kintetsu train, and by using a train, which is closely related to our daily lives, as a stage, we conveyed the fact that LGBTQ people are close to us.
Other events included the “Kansai Alaimo 2021 Panel Exhibition” (CREO Osaka Nishi) and the “Words of Akiko” event planned and performed at the “Risho no Mori” tourist facility in Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture. She has also made guest appearances at various fashion shows and festivals. She is expanding her activities to increase the number of people who understand LGBTQ through fashion.
In addition, at the request of schools, committee chair Yamamoto also conducts on-site classes to convey the importance of diversity to students.

Future Prospects for the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo

It is clear that the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai will increase the number of visitors to Japan. As a result, the population of various minorities, including LGBTQ, will also increase.
While the realization of a diverse society is an urgent task, they do not believe that simply copying foreign countries is the way to go. They believe that Japan has its own way of doing things.
They believe that they should use the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai as an opportunity to create a society that is easy for everyone to live in, while valuing the good culture and traditions of Japan more than ever. Through our diversity fashion show, we would like to help expand this understanding.