Balance in Berlin
Bauhaus, the turn-of-the-century school of modern architecture that fused art and technology whose spirit is integral to today’s Berlin.
Here are nine positive perspectives on the harmony of simple, functional clothes.
Two-Way Single Breasted Coat €109.90
Washable Milano Ribbed Crew Neck Jumper €39.90
Regular Fit Striped Oxford Shirt (Regular Collar) €39.90
Relaxed Fit Ankle Length Jeans €49.90
Airsense Jacket €79.90
Extra Fine Cotton Broadcloth Regular Fit Striped Shirt (Button-Down Collar) €39.90
DRY Colour Crew Neck Short Sleeved T-Shirt €9.90
Tom Adam Vitolins
Founder of Tom Àdam
Tom comes across as having stepped out of a Wes Anderson movie. He’s the founder of Tom Àdam, a brand purveying knits made by his mother and grandmother and striped loungewear the family makes together. The loungewear shirts, a symbol of the brand, work great with other stripes. “A green sweater worn with a classic coat or a functional setup paired with a striped shirt adds accent to an outfit. Colours work wonders.”
Knitted Short Jacket €39.90
Oversized Cropped Fit Short Sleeved T-Shirt €14.90
Wide Straight Leg Trousers €49.90
Esra Gülmen
Artist
It’s black or white. Esra, hailing from Istanbul, favours a monochrome wardrobe. Her taste in clothing is reflected in her art. “Simplicity is crucial to my work. I light up when I see art that’s simple yet ingenious. That’s how I feel about these clothes. Clean and simple is the way to go.” Today’s minimalist outfit resonates beautifully with the artwork in her studio.
(L)
V Neck Cardigan €39.90
Rayon Long Sleeved Blouse €34.90
Pleated Wide Leg Trousers €49.90
(R)
Uniqlo U Lightweight Coat €109.90
AIRism Cotton Open Collar Short Sleeved Polo Shirt €29.90
Slim Fit Chino Trousers €39.90
Ryoko Hori & Daniel Kula
Co-founders, Ryoko Senses Salon, Perfumery
Opened in 2015, this specialty shop vends perfumes and fragrances as well as soulful modern ceramics from all over the world. The genre-defying selection is emblematic of the surrounding city. “Berlin is a place where anyone can be themselves, regardless of gender or nationality,” says aromatherapist Ryoko. Her partner Daniel, formerly a film director, now works as a buyer for the shop. On days off, they love walking their dog in the park. Their Berlin balance shines from the sidewalk.
Double Breasted Jacket €69.90
AIRism Cotton Crew Neck Short Sleeved T-Shirt €14.90
Pleated Wide Leg Trousers €39.90
Trainers €39.90
Trench Coat €109.90
V Neck Vest €29.90
Wide Straight Leg Jeans €49.90
Paula Breuer
Visual Artist, Model
A graduate of Berlin-Weissensee Art Academy, successor of the Bauhaus educational philosophy, Paula was born and raised in Düsseldorf. Her lifelong love for art and design led to majoring in painting. Today, her painting work is complemented by paper animal sculptures made in a sensitive, melancholic and playful style. Her work can be seen through the window to her studio. Paula works as a model and has an interest in menswear. “I like trench coats, they make me feel like a detective. It’s interesting to pair them with a girly item.”
Knitted Short Sleeved Polo Shirt €39.90
DRY Colour Crew Neck Short Sleeved T-Shirt €9.90
Utility Cargo Trousers €49.90
Windproof Coat €79.90
Sweatshirt €34.90
AirSense Relaxed Fit Trousers €49.90
Running Cap €24.90
Stefan Marx
Artist
An international artist whom Berlin is proud to call one of its own, Stefan is incredibly gentle and kind. These attributes have made him something of a godfather to young creatives in the Berlin art scene. In his younger years he immersed himself in skating and record culture, which later influenced his art. “Berlin is a place where all different kinds of people come together and develop their own work and style. I like functional items. This big hooded coat is perfect for walking around the city on rainy days.”
AirSense Blazer €69.90
Sheer Volume Long Sleeved Blouse €39.90
Belted Wide Leg Trousers €49.90
3D Knit Seamless Cotton Striped Crew Neck Jumper €39.90
Smart Ankle Length Trousers €39.90
Slide Sandals €29.90 (Coming Soon)
Jessica McGowan
Co-founder of PRIMARY PAPER, Art Director of Slowness
Jessica co-founded PRIMARY PAPER, a magazine examining the trajectory of photography, where she now works as art director. After seven years in New York, she relocated to Berlin five years ago. Her home, a peaceful place where time moves slowly, is replete with ceramics, stones and shells gathered in her travels. “This sweater is soft and cozy. The bold green of the pants is fantastic.” A lover of flowers, she looks statuesque on the streets of Berlin.
Smooth Cotton Relaxed Fit Crew Neck Jumper €39.90
Parachute Trousers €39.90
Ribbed Socks (Three Pairs) €12.90
Nike van Dinther
Writer, Digital Creator, Editor, Media Consultant
Nike and a friend publish the Berlin-based online magazine THIS IS JANE WAYNE. As it turns out, she’s such a fan of LifeWear that she wrote about the quality of HEATTECH last year. Her social media has won fans for its smart view of daily life, making her a Berlin style icon. “These pants fit just right, whether worn high-waisted or on the lower side. UNIQLO’s everyday items are a lifesaver for me and my two young sons.”
AirSense Shirt Jacket €69.90
Crew Neck Short Sleeved T-Shirt €14.90
Pleated Wide Leg Trousers €49.90
Niels Weijer
Choreographer
Niels is pictured in front of a Hansaviertel housing development built in a style reminiscent of Bauhaus. Originally from Amsterdam, he started dancing at age four and studied ballet from twelve to eighteen. Since graduating university, he’s been a professional dancer and choreographer. His work aims for a unique balance of contemporary dance and visual art. “I love the way this shirt jacket wraps the body. It’s like you’re not even wearing it.” Niels valves range of motion in his clothes. Comfortable items appeal to his acute sense of touch as a dancer.
(L)
Comfort Blazer €69.90
AIRism Cotton Full Open Short Sleeved Polo Shirt €29.90
DRY Colour Crew Neck Short Sleeved T-Shirt €9.90
Wide Fit Colour Jeans €49.90
(R)
Washable Milano Ribbed Crew Neck Jumper €39.90
Extra Fine Cotton Broadcloth Regular Fit Shirt (Button-Down Collar) €39.90
Smart Wool-Like Ankle Length Trousers €39.90
Colour Socks €3.90
Manuel Goller & Christoph Goller
Founding Creative Director and CEO of NEW TENDENCY
Berlin’s Potsdamer Strasse is a centre for modern art and design. At the middle of it all are the offices of New Tendency. Pictured before a colourful “Float Shelf” display are Manuel (left), creative director, and his younger brother Christoph (right), CEO. “UNIQLO’s clothes are simple and functional, making space for individual expression,” says Manuel. Christoph wears a chic ensemble of greys. He prefers a simple, minimalist style.
Functionality, Plain and Simple
A keyword for this issue is “lightness.” This is a theme that particularly resonates with Berlin, where forward-thinking design studio New Tendency has garnered international praise for their simple yet functional furniture and accessories. Informed by the revolutionary thinking of the Bauhaus school, their work is made by hand domestically. It all began when some friends met at Bauhaus-Universität Weimar. The strong influence of Bauhaus continues to fuel their progress, says creative director Manuel.
“A collaborative spirit rooted in the Bauhaus tradition is our driving force. That’s how we blend diverse perspectives to add value to everyday life,” says Manuel. Bauhaus was born in 1919, revolutionising the way architecture and design were taught. Founder Walter Gropius convened with prominent thinkers, designers and artists in the tiny central German town of Weimar to propagate their ideas globally. Unbeholden by trends, New Tendency plays a similar role as an infrastructure for attracting wide-ranging talents.
“We work with top-class designers and architects at home and abroad, people like Jonas Lindstroem, Mirko Borsche, and Matthew Williams. Through these collaborations, we’ve attained an unprecedented breadth of expression and perspective spanning photography, graphic design, digital art, and interior design.”
This season’s LifeWear palette draws inspiration from Bauhaus architecture in the form of gorgeous greys and unadorned styling. These successors of the Bauhaus tradition of modern design, value “lightness” above all else in their creations. But how does this relate to LifeWear?
“It all goes back to functionality, plain and simple. Good design conforms to each individual personality. It makes a person’s lifestyle easier and richer at the same time,” Manuel says, echoing the “lightness” of this season’s UNIQLO palette.
“We specialise in colours like light grey, white, and sandy beige. The feel of an item all depends on how it’s used. The same piece, styled in different ways, can be delicate or forceful. That’s something our brands have in common.”
New Tendency designs their products to be lifetime companions. LifeWear is also built to last, transcending eras and open to reinterpretation. New Tendency’s designers are searching for new standards. Our meeting shed new light on the meaning of lightness.
1. Limited edition Meta Side Table made in collaboration with 1017 ALYX 9SM, led by Matthew Williams. Featuring the iconic 1017 ALYX 9SM Rollercoaster Belt.
2. The Standard Sofa has an unornamented minimalist style.
- Photography by Ina Niehoff
- Styling by Shuhei Yoshida
- Hair & Makeup by Sayuri Sakairi
- Coordination by Yukiko Yamane
- Film by Marcus Werner
- Text by UNIQLO
Release dates vary depending on the product.
All listed prices, current as of February 9th, include sales tax and are subject to change.
