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, revolutionizing 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 grays 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 specialize in colors like light gray, 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.