YKK Corporation is partnering with the Fashion Frontier Program to educate and inspire the next generation of designers on sustainable design. This partnership will focus on how fastening products like zippers, snaps, and buttons can play a key role in creating a more circular fashion industry. The Fashion Frontier Program is an educational and awards program for fashion designers who blend social responsibility with creativity. YKK’s vision aligns perfectly with the program's goals of fostering growth and providing a supportive framework for future designers, which led to the new partnership.

As part of the collaboration, YKK will lead a lecture titled ‘Little Parts. Big Difference’ at the program's first incubation session this August. The goal is to help the 16 program semifinalists understand how to integrate fastening products into their sustainable design practices. The lecture will also showcase new products YKK is developing to support a circular economy and will include a discussion with the designers. YKK will also provide products for them to use.

In the next fiscal year, YKK plans to create synergy among designers by participating in an incubation program for winners of the YKK Fastening Awards.

The program aims to discover and develop future fashion designers who combine social responsibility and creativity. Being organized by Yuima Nakazato Laboratory Co, the first incubation session will be held in August 2025 while the award ceremony will be held in mid-December 2025. The event is being co-organized by the Executive Committee of the Fashion Frontier Program - unisteps Incorporated Association, It is supported by the Ministry of Environment.