Rafael Kouto works between fashion, textiles, research, craftsmanship and community practice. His work is rooted in upcycling and the transformation of pre- and post-consumer materials, combining discarded garments with local production and traditional craft techniques.
With Swiss and Togolese roots, Kouto’s practice moves across different cultural and geographical contexts. Since founding his eponymous brand in 2017, he has developed collections, workshops, installations and participatory projects around textile waste, sustainability and new approaches to fashion. His work has also taken him into collaborations and research contexts in Europe and West Africa.
At the centre is a simple but far-reaching idea: materials that have already been used can still hold possibilities.
What changes when we begin with what already exists?
