UNIQLO｜LifeWear Story 100 directed by Yataro Matsuura

So I called Seth the following day, as we promised.

“I have good news! I called the owner of the apartment on West 74th Street and she hasn’t found a tenant yet. She’s renting it out for a month and the rent will be $500. It’s not bad!” said Seth excitedly.

“Thank you, Seth. I wonder what kind of a person the owner is…”

“Right, so she’s a jazz pianist and she plays at a local club called Birdland. And here’s the thing, she has a grand piano in the one-bedroom apartment, so as long as you are fine with that, it is what it is. Let’s go check it out.”

Seth made an appointment to view the place in two days.

We met at the subway entrance on 72nd Street. The 72nd Street subway station that faces Broadway is this small brick house which is a landmark with a 110-year history.

The area is called the Upper West Side and is a safe neighborhood with a lot of greenery. This beautiful area is where you can find many stately residences, along with famous American Beaux-Arts architecture, and the Ansonia Condominium, which apparently is the first luxury apartment in New York to be equipped with air conditioners.

“Ok, let’s get some hot dogs over there. They’re my favorite!” As soon as we met, Seth hopped over to “Gray’s Papaya” near the station and got us two of his recommendations. The hot dog had heaps of onions and cheese toppings, not to mention the chili sauce!

“This is the best combination,” said Seth, and handed me a hot dog.

“Strawberry Fields is quite close from here,” I said. “I know, it’s just there. Toko-san lives near here, too,” Seth said with his chili sauce mouth.

The apartment was just a few minutes away from the station in an ordinary-looking multi-use building. There was a small desk in front of the elevator located far away from the entrance and a man who looked like a guard was sitting there.

When Seth said that he has an appointment with the apartment owner, he waved us in saying, “Just go on through.”

The room was at the end of the narrow corridor on the 4th floor. The hallway was covered with a beaten rug. The doors facing the corridor were all painted thick with white color.

“Here it is.” Seth knocked on the door and a woman’s voice came through. We waited for a bit and soon heard click, clack, and click. After three locks were unlocked, the door opened.

Our proud collection of flannel shirts offers outstanding variety. Out of over 1,000 colors and patterns, each design has been finely selected to suit any style. They are available in two types of collars, button-down and regular collar.

The length has made a centimeter longer, if you want to go for a nice tucked-in look. Both have a clean silhouette across the torso and the sleeves.

The length has made a centimeter longer, if you want to go for a nice tucked-in look. Both have a clean silhouette across the torso and the sleeves.

“Hello, I’m Kate. Come on in.”

She looked to be in her mid-30s with long curly hair, seeming very down-to-earth and kind.

Seth and I greeted her and entered the room, and suddenly, Seth had an expression with his mouth and gave me a look. Dumbfounded, I looked back at Seth.

“So, can he speak English?” she asked looking at me.

“Yes, a little. But he can understand most of what’s being said,” said Seth. “That’s fine. Japanese people are neat so I have no worries about renting it out,” she said.

“I’m Kate. Good to meet you,” and once again, she stretched out for a handshake.

“So I can rent this room out on one condition. Every Wednesday and Friday from 3-6PM, I give piano lessons, so I need you to vacate the room during that time.”

Seth looked at me to ask what I wanted to do. What I was most surprised was that this small room was simply dominated by this grand piano in the middle with no sight of bed nor a sofa.

“So we’ll haggle a bit…,” Seth whispered in my ear.

“But it’s rather inconvenient without a bed nor a sofa. So can we say $400 a month?,” and Seth started the negotiation.

Seth had told me that New Yorkers would whine and try to negotiate whenever they get a chance, so I tried hard to keep from laughing to see where this would go.

“Ok, so $420 a month, done!” Without a moment for me to step in, the two shook their hands on it.

“She’s lived here for a long time with her boyfriend, but they split up and now she’s moved into her new boyfriend’s place. But as she wants to continue the piano lessons, she wants to keep this apartment.”

“You can use anything in this room besides the piano. You are welcome to use my ex’s clothes in the closet,” Kate said, laughing.

I opened the closet and found men’s clothes neatly folded and stored. Looking closely, they were quite a preppy style or a traditional New York fashion, pretty deep.

“This might look good on you, right?”
Kate took out and showed me this wool shirt.

The key features of the 100% cotton flannel with raised surface both inside and outside are its airy soft texture and the tender warmth. You can enjoy them in a versatile fashion styles, according to the thickness of the fabric. The button-downs are made with a thinner fabric so you can start enjoying them from an earlier season.

As it gets colder, it goes well with a knitted top or a jacket for a classy layered look. The thick standard color flannels are great for a top on its own or with a down vest and parka for a casual look.

When you are stuck on which patterns to go for,
try choosing a more modest pattern.
My favorite is to use the modest flannel,
to create a modest style overall.

MENFLANNEL
CHECKEDLONG-SLEEVE
SHIRT$29.90

Choose this clothes

What is “LifeWear story 100?”

At UNIQLO,
there exist these lines of clothes
which has remained for many years,
trend-neutral
yet never dated.
Out of the line-ups,
they are the unsung presence,
sitting quietly behind in TV ads.

Yet, they are the culmination
of the years of passion and devotion,
where UNIQLO sought to pursue
more comfort,
more durability, and
more quality.

They give shape and gravitas
to what and who UNIQLO is,
and what UNIQLO continues
to nurture with great care.

To go beyond yesterday,
to reach higher tomorrow.

When you take it in your hands,
when you try it on,
it softly speaks to you,
almost like a friend.

What is a rich quality
lifestyle?
How is such a quality day spent?
What does happiness mean to you…

And you will find yourself
surprised to discover that such
piece of clothing has existed.

What is the UNIQLO principle?
Why do we call clothing LifeWear?
What kind of clothes constitute
LifeWear?

Here, we go deep into
the root of LifeWear,
to know
and to tell.
And I hope to write
stories that revolve
around LifeWear and myself.

LifeWear story 100 will be
a story about a journey with me and LifeWear.

Yataro Matsuura

Essayist, editor. Born 1965 in Tokyo.
For nine years from 2005, under the leadership of the founder, Shizuko Ohashi, he was the chief editor for the magazine, “Kurashi no Techo.” Since, he launched an online media site, “Kurashi no Kihon.” Currently, sits as a director for Oishii Kenko Ltd. Recognized for his eye for style and experience in presenting ideas for quality lifestyle. Regularly writes in his columns in newspapers and magazines. Has penned numerous best-sellers including “Kyo mo Teinei ni” and “Shigoto no Kihon Kurashi no Kihon 100.” Hosts a radio program on NHK Radio 1, “Karen Style.”