UNIQLO｜LifeWear Story 100 directed by Yataro Matsuura

“I’m starting to get the kind of person you are…”

She said as she laid her head on my lap.

“Just kind of…I think.”

Not knowing how to respond, Asha asked,
“Are you starting to understand the kind of person I am?”

“Hmm, I can understand that you love your family, your father, then your mother. I could tell from the way you were eating your lunch.”

“Exactly! How did you know that I like my dad so?”

“Because you always look at me and say that I look like your dad here or how your dad did this and that. You always talk about him.”

“I see. I was angry with him for a while for sending me away to New York. But when I thought about it, I understood that that was out of love. Had I stayed in Ethiopia, my dream would have never came true. It is tough to make it in New York but there’s more opportunity. You can dream here.”

“What’s your dream, Asha?”

I asked her, caressing her curly hair.

“My dream is to design clothes for New York women that relax them in both body and mind, yet being elegant and simple. See the pants I have on today? I designed it myself, inspired from an Ethiopian native costume.”

Asha had on a pink blouse with a loose, striped pajama-like trousers that came down to the ankles.

“It’s really nice. It looks so comfortable and
really good on you.”

“Thanks, these pants are for home, but on a picnic like today, it’s so easy. Can’t go to a restaurant, though.”

Asha said and laughed.

“It’s definitely not sexy, so may not be something to wear on a date but I’m really not good with wearing something sexy to meet a guy. That may be a problem. because I’m sure guys like their girls to be in a sexy fashion, right?”

“Women wearing sexy clothes are attractive, no doubt, but it won’t work for me on a day like today. What you have on today is feminine, classy, and lets me be at ease, too. I love it.”

She closed her eyes and kissed my knee.

“Thanks, today is such an amazing day.
I wish we can be like this forever.”

She said and held my hand.

For summer, enjoy LifeWear with a soft and smooth texture. Made with a lovely draped 100% rayon, we strived for a cool, relaxed fit.

A new elastic ribbon around the waist lets you pick the best waist position, so it’s comfortable and doesn’t restrict. The trendy wide silhouette lets you enjoy it at home and out, too.

“So, what’s your type, Asha?”

“For me, it’s simple. I love someone who takes care of his family. You can have all the smarts, the look, or the social status but I can never like someone who doesn’t look after their family. Just doesn’t work. What about you?”

“You may not believe me but I’m like that, too. I also like people who cares for their family. Family love, I guess. I think that’s the basis for being generous with and considerate of others. A family is a small society.”

“It’s so true. We do like the same things. I could tell instantly that you care about your family. That’s why I wanted to know more about you. So, what’s your dream?”

“There’s a Japanese word, oya-koko which is about helping, caring for your parents, making them happy and putting them at ease. My dream is oya-koko. It’s easier said than done. When I’m far away like I am now, I can’t, but even if I’m close, I’m still not capable of giving them much. My family wasn’t well off, so they struggled financially when they were bringing me up. That’s why I want to work really hard, earn lots of money, and do as much as I can for them. I have my own list of things I want to do for myself but they are all for this oya-koko. I want money because I want to do this.”

“I hear ya. We are so alike. Like peas in a pod. But I don’t think you need money to do this oya-koko. I think the fact that you care for them and thinking about them in this way is actually doing oya-koko.”

Asha said as she lifted herself up. Then she smiled and stared into my eyes.

“Listen, we should take a picture together and send it to our families. Don’t you think that’s a good oya-koko? I’m sure they would love it. They are always worried about how we are getting on in this big city. To tell them that we’re together would definitely make them happy. Do you have your camera?”

“Yeah, it’s in my bag. How should we do this?”

I took out a camera from my bag while Asha went and asked a lady sitting away from us to take the photo.

Asha put her hands around my neck and pulled me close so we were cheek to cheek.

“Move in closer because we want a close-up. A bit more, more,” she said. Asha said, “cheese,” and the lady took the photo.

That summer afternoon, we had five photos taken with the Belvedere Castle in Central Park in the background.

Relaco has been enjoyed as loungewear, but it can also be worn as an easy bottom to wear outside with a t-shirt.

This season, we’ve upped our game with color and pattern. Trendy polka-dots ands standard stripe are now joined by flower patterns and designer collaborations. Put on matching pieces with your family and friends to add more fun on a day at the beach or at a BBQ. Or jazz up a pajama party or resort vacation. Relaco is bound to bring more comfort and fun in your summer.

It’s how you wear it.
Go elegant,
go stylish.

WOMENRELACO
3/4 FLORAL
SHORTS$14.90

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.”