Ep 63—FRESH BLOOD, Part 4: Bridging Design and Production with Hayato Nishi

FRESH BLOOD is about renewal. Every industry either regenerates itself or slowly hardens. In this Jeansland series, Andrew steps back to listen to the next generation already working inside denim’s supply chain, upstream in fibers, sourcing platforms, laundries, and raw materials.In Part 4 of the series, Andrew sits down with Hayato Nishi, a second-generation industry professional whose path into denim and textiles didn’t start with product, but with perspective. Shaped by a global upbringing, Hayato came into fashion first as a consumer, then as a builder.From there, the conversation traces his path through the industry. From early streetwear projects in Boston to building community-driven retail concepts. From there into Shima Seiki, working at the forefront of whole garment 3D knitting technology, and eventually into Lenzing, where he now works closely with brands on fiber strategy and material decisions.Along the way, they get into what actually gets lost in the process. The gap between design and manufacturing. The disappearance of product knowledge as production moved offshore. And why even the most advanced technologies still depend on people who understand how things are made.They also talk about what drives decisions today. Design first. Price second. Materials after that. A reality that complicates the conversation around sustainability, even as the industry tries to move in that direction.There’s also a broader shift underneath it all. New tools, new systems, new ways of working. But not always used in the right way. Especially when it comes to AI, where the real opportunity may not be replacing creativity, but connecting design to production in a way the industry hasn’t solved yet.At its core, this is a discussion about learning. About staying open. And about what it takes to build a point of view in an industry that’s constantly changing.Thank you to our sponsor Inside Denim.Hayato NishiHead of Key Accounts Business Development East Coast USA & Canada, LenzingTENCEL: https://tencel.com/Lenzing Fibers: https://lenzing.com/Nishi &: https://www.instagram.com/nishi_and/Hayato Nishi Designs: https://www.instagram.com/hayato_nishi_designs.jpgPlease follow us on: Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.