Art and the joys of packaging are what Furoshiki presents. Furoshiki is an ancient Japanese method of wrapping and transporting things. More recently, it has become an adopted practice in the western world for gift wrapping, and a few stores that are familiar with it offer it as an alternate package option. The unique and striking thing about this art is that it’s done with fabrics. You can carry it and wrap almost anything in it. More interesting are the designs to make the knots into, such as a bow or a flower. It is an aged practice that has been around for decades and centuries. Yet again, we go back in time for a few lessons.
Furoshiki, not just a wrap.
The art of Fruroshiki is quite important to the Japanese people. It’s not just about throwing things in a plastic or paper bag. It’s about measuring the fabric and the item, careful placement, and thoughtful tying. Attention, care, and affection are put into every fold of wrapping while ensuring the functionality and safety of the items. You could wrap a bottle of wine or two with it, a box, garments, or a ceramic plate; you could make it a laptop carrier. A tie here, a knot there, and the package is good to go.
Furoshiki Eco-Packaging
Sustainability has been a recurring subject in all sectors of life. Sustainability was an extensively discussed subject, especially in the fashion industry in 2023. The result of these discussions created huge awareness and attracted a good number of eco-conscious converts. 2024, it seems, will experience the ripple effect of all deliberate actions taken in the previous year.
Here, we have Furoshiki, a fabric packaging that can be reused again. It is safer than plastic, stronger than paper, and, overall, friendly to the environment.
What about Furoshiki?
Furoshiki ticks the box in a number of ways. Embracing this traditional approach to packaging would certainly reduce the use of non-biodegradable materials. It could also be a brilliant solution to fabric waste in the fashion industry. Why waste good fabric when it can be made into a gift wrap or an improved method of packaging? Do we have to painfully create a special set of fabrics for this purpose? No, just use the leftovers; nothing goes to waste. Isn’t that one of the core points of sustainability?
Think of the hundreds of fashion companies and their massive production capacity; think of the number of garments produced daily; then think about the leftover fabrics. Naturally, there’s enough to go around—so much that it goes to waste. The fashion world itself has taken on a quest to explore multifunctional fashion. Less fabric, but more functions. Imagine a gift wrap, but it is also a scarf and a bag. Stay up to date on the newest in the world of Fashion, Arts, Beauty and Lifestyle; Follow FAB on Instagram.
Conclusion
With innovative tweaks, Furoshiki will surpass its original value as a luggage or gift wrap and solve the potential problem of bill packaging. A simple Japanese fabric wrap could end the endless wounds inflicted on the planet. Cotton, linen, silk, art, design, flowers, warmth, life, thoughtfulness—I think of these things when I think of Furoshiki. A sustainable earth with more colours, less plastic, lasting memory, more meaning, more art, and more creativity.
