Are there people who prioritize comfort over appearance and design when choosing fashion due to disabilities or illnesses?
"Everyone should be able to enjoy fashion as a given."
There is a company that responds to such desires.
This time, we interviewed Mr. Maeda, the representative of Kiyasuku Co., Ltd.
After conducting a survey with 800 people with disabilities and realizing the lack of clothing options, they launched the clothing alteration service "Kiyasuku."
We delve into Mr. Maeda's roots, who directly confronts the barrier-free aspect of clothing, and the future he aims to create through his business.
*Kiyasuku Co., Ltd. changed its name from Cowardrobe Co., Ltd. on December 26, 2025. This article was partially updated on May 25, 2026.
1. What is Kiyasuku Co., Ltd.?
Kiyasuku Co., Ltd. (formerly Cowardrobe Co., Ltd.) was founded in 2021 with the mission to "contribute to creating a universal society by addressing the concerns of people with disabilities and illnesses." They offer the clothing alteration service "Kiyasuku."
The term "wardrobe" refers to the clothes inside a closet. The company was named Cowardrobe with the desire to create a society where everyone has the same types of clothing.
The logo features a closet filled with various fashions, embodying Mr. Maeda's strong desire to achieve barrier-free fashion.
1-1. The Society with Options that Kiyasuku Co., Ltd. Aims for
[Interviewer (Writer): Akaishi / Interviewee: Mr. Maeda]
Akaishi: What exactly is a society with options?
Mr. Maeda: There are three main aspects. First, we aim to create a society where everyone has the exact same number of clothing options, regardless of disabilities or illnesses.
Second, while solving the problems faced by people with disabilities, we want to create products and services that benefit everyone.
We want to contribute to a society where people with disabilities or illnesses can always feel that their challenges are improving society and being helpful.
Finally, in such a society, able-bodied people naturally pay attention to and show interest in people with disabilities. We are working towards creating a society filled with such compassion and kindness.
1-2. What is the Online Service "Kiyasuku" for Altering Clothes for People with Physical Disabilities?
Akaishi: What kind of service is Kiyasuku?
Mr. Maeda: Kiyasuku is a service that alters ready-made clothes to fit the customer's body.
We make adjustments such as adding front openings, changing buttons to Velcro, or altering the material of pants to prevent bedsores. Our specialized staff listens to each customer's requests and makes the necessary alterations.
We also focus on making alterations inconspicuous so that customers can wear clothes with their original design.
Akaishi: How can someone request an alteration?
Mr. Maeda: Everything is completed online.
By proceeding to the order page on the Kiyasuku site, selecting the menu and the staff for the alteration, the fee is determined. After that, you send the clothes, and we return the altered clothes within 10 to 14 days.
The site has a dedicated chat room where you can consult directly with the staff about the alterations, so you can rest assured.
We created "Kiyasuku" with the desire for people not to give up on the clothes they want to wear and to enjoy their favorite fashion with peace of mind.
Reference: Kiyasuku HP
2. Who is Representative Mr. Maeda?
Mr. Maeda, who initially had no interest in fashion.
After graduating from university, he joined a bank but was strongly drawn to the vision of Fast Retailing Co., Ltd. and the philosophy of President Yanai, which led him to join the company.
While working at Uniqlo, the industry's largest company, he naturally developed an interest in fashion.
He had no prior involvement with people with disabilities and had never considered barrier-free issues, so what led him to start a business?
2-1. Career and Achievements
[Career]
Source: Kiyasuku Co., Ltd.
1994 Graduated from Fukuoka Prefectural Chikushigaoka High School
1998 Graduated from Waseda University, School of Political Science and Economics, Department of Economics
1998 Joined Fukuoka Bank, worked in sales
2000 Joined Fast Retailing Co., Ltd. (Uniqlo), engaged in store operations, new business development, sales planning, production planning, management planning, and EC operations.
▶︎ Conducted interviews with over 800 people with disabilities or illnesses from 2018 to 2020, learning about various clothing-related challenges and concerns.
▶︎ Led the project for the development of front-opening innerwear sold by Uniqlo in September 2020, particularly proposing the commercialization of "children's bodysuits," which received significant attention on social media, web news, and TV.
▶︎ Also launched a company-wide project to improve shopping environments for people with disabilities and the elderly at Uniqlo stores nationwide.
2021 Established Cowardrobe Co., Ltd. 2025 Changed company name to Kiyasuku Co., Ltd.
2-2. A Turning Point in Life After Meeting a Hearing-Impaired Colleague
Akaishi: Why did you become interested in barrier-free clothing?
Mr. Maeda: While working at Uniqlo, I had a hearing-impaired colleague. When talking to him, I first learned that there are no clothing options for people with disabilities.
Uniqlo operates under the concept of "clothing for everyone," so I was quite shocked to realize that "there are still people we haven't reached."
For some reason, that stuck with me, and when I reached out to disability organizations and listened to people with disabilities, many issues became apparent.
Akaishi: That led to starting your own business, right?
Mr. Maeda: Yes. Through these conversations, I learned that people choose clothes based on "ease of wearing" rather than design, and they can't choose from the many clothes available in the world.
From there, I thought about how to provide the same options.
Even with the same illness, each person's body is different, and what makes clothes easy to wear varies. So, I thought that even if we made clothes for people with disabilities at Uniqlo, we might not be able to offer the same options.
Altering ready-made clothes from various brands might bring joy to more people, so I decided to go independent.
I never imagined I would start a business.
