| Representative |
Kohei Arai
After working as an iOS engineer at Mercari, developing features using machine learning and AR technology, he focused on structural issues in the fashion industry and started his own business. After studying at a fashion college, he's been doing research and development in AI and 3DCG, with a focus on combining technology and fashion. Right now, he's working on FIGUR, a service that generates images of clothes being worn, with a focus on reproducing the feel of the size, aiming to change how the apparel industry makes and sells stuff. |
| Main Achievements |
2021: Selected for the 2021 Undiscovered IT Talent Discovery and Development Project
Theme: “AR mobile application that allows users to interactively understand clothing sizes” Selected as a Super Creator
2022: Selected for the 2022 Undiscovered Advanced Project
Theme: “3D modeling system that allows users to virtually try on any clothing”
2023 Selected for the 8th University of Tokyo IPC 1st Round
2023 SIGGRAPH 2023 Poster: “Towards Realistic Virtual Try-on for E-commerce by Sewing Pattern Estimation”
2024 Selected for the Future Fashion Talent Development Program
Theme: “Development of the Digital Mannequin Auin” |
| Childhood Dream |
When I was little, I used to play a board game called “The Game of Life,” and my favorite profession was “inventor.” I've always loved coming up with ideas and trying them out, and I vaguely wanted to become someone who could change the world with my ideas. |
| Influential People, Things, and Events |
Person: Elon Musk
Thing: Detroit Become Human (video game)
Event: The enthusiasm of my fellow students and the environment during my time studying abroad at Carnegie Mellon University in the US |
| Motivation, Goals, and Ideal World |
The catalyst for starting my business was the temporary closure of my favorite apparel store due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Along with the sadness of no longer being able to visit my favorite store, I felt a strong desire to change something, and that led me to choose entrepreneurship.
From the start, I’ve been deeply interested in products that are rooted in people’s daily lives. I’ve always wanted to create products that are naturally used in everyday life, things that are always around us, with my own hands. Additionally, I’ve loved fashion since my student days, and my experience buying and selling used clothes on Mercari led me to join the company right after graduation. As an engineer, I worked on improving the listing interface while also filing patents for technologies like automatic clothing measurement.
Currently, I am working to fundamentally transform the fashion shopping experience through technology. Specifically, I aim to create a system that makes online try-on experiences more realistic, enjoyable, and satisfying for everyone by leveraging generative AI and 3D technology. I want to offer not just convenient tools, but also propose new ways for consumers to discover clothing and contribute to sustainable production and sales systems.
The world I want to create is one where “technology and sensibility blend to enrich daily life.” I want to use technology to make it commonplace for everyone to find clothes that suit them, choose them with confidence, and wear them comfortably. |
