Products that are prison-inspired and prison-made are suddenly becoming popular in Japan.
Inmates in Hakodate Juvenile Prison in Hokkaido, Japan design and sew aprons, tote bags and pouches that bare the word “prisonâ€, both in English and Japanese. Initially sold as prison tourist souvenirs, the prison novelty items are now fancied by the young Japanese consumers.
Like most people who thought of hiring talents from the cell, the Correctional Association for Prison Industry Association was worried that the products wouldn't score any votes from fashionistas.
Shoji Nakajima, an association official, said, “We thought the character 'jail' would turn people off, but that turned out to be the big appeal.â€
Now they're so hot, all the items in the association's online shop are currently sold out.
Products Made in Prisons
Jail-Made Designs Are Popular In Japan
Trend Themes
1. Prison-inspired Products - Prison-made products are gaining popularity as a trend in Japan, with a particular appeal for younger consumers.
2. Inmate-made Goods - Products made by inmates in prisons are garnering attention and demand in the Japanese market, presenting an opportunity for disruptive innovation in the fashion and accessory industries.
3. Correctional Industry Products - The success of prison-made designs in Japan suggests potential for the growth and expansion of correctional industry products and services globally.
Industry Implications
1. Fashion - The popularity of prison-inspired products and designs reveals a potential disruptive innovation opportunity for fashion companies by tapping into this trending niche market.
2. Accessories - The growing demand for inmate-made goods presents a potential disruption in the accessories industry, especially for tote bags and pouches.
3. Correctional Industry - The success of the Correctional Association for Prison Industry Association in Japan presents a potential opportunity for correctional institutions around the world to explore prison industry products as sustainable and profitable business models.