Clothes that Lift the Spirit

Hand-made costumes that inspire confidence.

A one-piece helps the wearer overcome social isolation.

Clothes have a hidden power to lift the spirit.

Let's meet two women who help people find psychological freedom in surprising ways.

This gray dress looks fairly ordinary.

But it has a hidden secret.

Can you tell what it is?

What is it ? I can't guess.

Reach into her pocket.

Hey, that's cute!

There's a stuffed bear hiding in the front pocket.

This one-piece is called "clothing that helps you get outside."

It was designed for people struggling with social withdrawal.

Holding Teddy's hand
makes her feel good.

I think it makes her feel safe.

Oh, look!
A teddy bear.

People will just think
her hands are in her pocket.

The garment was designed by Matsuzaki Hinano.

At 17, she developed depression that kept her a recluse at home for three years.

Stuffed animals seem to know
how we're feeling.

I was afraid to go out.
People's eyes were scary.

I wanted to leave my room.
I was willing to try.

But at first it was hard.

Then one day, an online clothing purchase showed her the potential to change.

It was an airy, flower-print dress.

I tried it at home and liked it.
The person in the mirror looked cute.

It gave me the motivation to go out.
I wanted to wear it outside.

Matsuzaki went on to art university, where she studied fashion design.

One of her assignments changed her life.

Her instructor challenged her to design a garment that suited her uniquely.

The experience showed her how important clothing can be for those needing psychological support.

Matsuzaki worked with a social recluse support group to survey people who were housebound.

The results indicated a preference for simple, comfortable clothing.

So Matsuzaki created a roomy one-piece that eliminates the need to coordinate with other items.

The large front pocket conceals a stuffed animal.

The collar can be raised
to hide the neck.

The overall concept is to make
the wearer feel protected.

It works the same way
a hood does for some people.

Antidepressants can cause weight gain.

Many people prefer an A line silhouette
that hides the body contours.

Matsuzaki offers her one-piece online and through events.

More than a hundred have sold so far.

Some buyers say Matsuzaki's design helped them venture outside the home.

My designs are worn on doctor's visits,
or other times when people are nervous.

They say the clothes make them feel calm.

Matsuzaki also gives people struggling with social withdrawal an opportunity to help make her clothes.

They also get a share of the proceeds.

Once a month, the local Social Welfare Council provides space to interact while making stuffed animals.

We agree on a lot of things.
Maybe we share the same concerns.

Typical worries about the future,
personal relationships and so on.

These gatherings offer a chance for communication and participation in the outside world.

I try to get the stitching even and uniform.

I'm kind of proud to think the things I make
help people feel better.

All done.

That's cute!
120 points out of 100.

Thank you.

We sell just about everything we make.

That gives us confidence.

Natsuki used to struggle with social withdrawal.

She says working with Matsuzaki gave her the courage to participate in society again.

I used to go to school
with a stuffed animal in my pocket.

I was attracted to these designs.

I decided I needed
to get out of the house.

So I got a job.

Cute clothes give me confidence.

They're kind of like armor.

Matsuzaki draws on her life experience to help others facing similar challenges.

I didn't like myself when I was a recluse.

But I hope I can use that experience
to make things better.

I guess I want to like myself.

People in mysterious costumes parade down a street.

The masquerade aims to help them openly express themselves.

Let's make something daring,
even embarrassing.

Sawa Nao is a plastic artist.

Personal transformation through the power of costumes is one of her interests.

Today she holds a workshop to show how costumes can open the door to new experience.

With urethane foam, complete beginners can easily make something interesting.

Roll it or bend it.
It's easy to make something nice.

Whatever you do, you can't go wrong.

Today's workshop includes several families, and three university students.

They learned about the workshop through social media.

Sawa wants everyone to let their imagination run wild, without worrying what others might think.

But...

There's no right way.
That makes it hard.

Though she loves to make things, this little girl can't seem to get started.

She loves to make things
from empty boxes and so forth.

That's why we came today, isn't it?

It's not easy to express yourself in the presence of other people.

For those who feel stymied, Sawa has this advice.

Don't worry about perfection.
Try to make a personal statement.

Her advice comes from personal experience.

She once struggled with the same problem.

There was a time when her creative work was meant to please others, not herself.

At first I made things
mainly to please others.

It was really tough.

I didn't have my own sense
of what to make.

Seeking approval stifled her imagination.

Her relationship with her mother was a major factor.

I was a difficult child
for my mother to raise.

She didn't accept me as I was.
But children need their mother's love.

I didn't want her to be angry with me.
Everything I did was to please her.

So I chose whatever she preferred.

Things changed for Sawa when she met a drag queen who taught her the power of personal expression through costume.

I went to the opposite extreme.

I went so far, I was embarrassed.

But people liked my approach.

That taught me not to worry
about people's opinions.

She went on to put that experience to work through her costume art workshops.

Her goal is to show people how costumes can open the heart.

Meanwhile, someone is coming out of her shell.

- What about the body?
- Are we going make the body?

You want to make all kinds of things.

She's all revved up now.

She's suddenly eager to make something interesting.

She becomes her favorite animal - a cat.

Now it's time to praise each other.

You both did a really great job.

What did Mommy make?

An Earth hat.

The colors are cute.

With love.

Very few people live
in complete freedom.

I want to give people a chance
to blow off steam and loosen up.

It's time for the group to go out and show the world what they've made.

I'm embarrassed to go out like this.

- It's embarrassing.
- But that's the whole point.

Their parade draws the gaze of passersby, and some puzzled reactions.

But they seem to gain confidence with every step.

When we went out, I was scared.

I was sure people were staring at me.

But as we walked, I got more confidence.

By the end I was walking proudly.

I was embarrassed.

But I got used to it.

- Did you end up having fun?
- Yes.

Everyone experienced something new.

I had fun too.

I think expression
is connected to life itself.

For many, it's hard
to express emotion openly.

For me, the most important thing
is to help people liberate their hearts.

A flexible imagination and a little courage can help us move forward and change society for the better.

If we keep our eyes, hearts, and minds open, signs like these will continue to reveal themselves.