UNIQLO｜LifeWear Story 100 directed by Yataro Matsuura

Squinting her eyes in the gleaming sun, Asha straightened out her straw hat.

“I’m going to break up with the man I’m going out with now…”

She said then picked up the branch on the ground and threw it into the pond by the Belvedere Castle.

“I’m gonna go talk to him tonight. This is my problem so you don’t need to worry. I knew that it was going to be like this someday. Honestly, right now, there is a part of me that can’t enjoy seeing you like this and I think it has to do with the fact that I have a boyfriend. Even if I told him that I’ll be seeing you today, I can’t shake off this feeling that I’m not being sincere.”

I remained silent and just listened to Asha.

“So let’s call this the end of our date today. I’ll go back and solve my problem and then sit down and really think about you and me. It’s not right that I’m with you like this and not here wholeheartedly.”

She took off her straw hat then turned around with a great smile on her face. She was simply glowing, right down to those little freckles around her nose.

“Thank you for today. The lunch was amazing and I was so happy that you shared your wonderful dream with me. So we’ll part our ways here for today. Bye.”

“Ok, that’s fine. Thank you …”

I wanted to tell her that I like her, in my own words. But as Asha briskly started on her way, I lost my timing. The only thing I could do was just stare at her as she walked further away.

So I started on my way, with a rather mixed feeling. Should I call her tonight? Or is it better I wait until she calls? Or go to the Coffee Shop in the morning tomorrow and ask her about what happened with her boyfriend? All these thoughts were swirling in my head when I found myself on Central Park West.

I can feel how this feeling for Asha was building up inside me, almost to a point that it was suffocating.

This may be the first time I’m feeling like this. To like someone that it almost hurts. Was it right that it hurts to like someone? That your heart just can’t slow down.

I got back to my apartment. I noticed there was a slight scent of Asha on my fingers that touched her hair, on the sleeves where we walked, arm in arm. This bittersweet sensation swept over me.

“Wow, this is tough,” so I thought.

Another one of our proud creation, Airism innerwear, has evolved from “comfort for the summer” to “comfort for the year.” The material that combines plant-based cupra with great breathability and nylon twisted yarn offers the uniquely smooth and gentle texture. So much so that you forget that you had it on.

The special treatment removes and neutralizes the odor from your clothes, too. It has host of other functions starting with this deodorizing function that keep even after washes, the stretch function that snugly fits your move, the cool-dry function that keeps you fresh even when you sweat, and the antibacterial function, and the list goes on.

One whole day had passed and nothing from Asha. I printed the photo that we took together at Central Park and carried around the best one out of the batch. The only thing that was going through my head was that wonderful date where we enjoyed our picnic together.

After we finished our lunch, Asha began to take off her rayon blouse. “It’s so hot.” She was now in her camisole.

I blushed. I didn’t know where to look, now seeing her beautiful tanned skin, so up close.

I noticed that she was wearing this very fine silver chain necklace with a star-shaped pendant.

She had a feline-like movement as she changed her posture, leaning her back against mine.

Then said, “Here, you can lean against me, too.”

“I’ve always loved leaning on someone like this. You know, like a dog or a cat. I feel at ease if a part of my body is touching my family or someone I like. It relaxes me, I know, it’s strange, right?”

The fact that the strap of her camisole was off her shoulder was so natural that it didn’t come off as sexy but more as wholesome.

“Ethiopia is much hotter than New York so during the day, we would take naps like this under a tree. It may be friends or with your boyfriend. But it’s always with someone, to relax.”

“C’mon, you take your shirt off, too! It’s nice and cool,” said Asha and tried to unbutton my linen shirt.

“I’m fine, no, really. I’m comfortable as is.”

With slight panic, I did up my button.

“Why are Japanese so proper all the time? Ethiopians would relax every chance they get so we tend to take off the things we are wearing. Don’t worry and just take it easy.”

Asha was having a big laugh on my account because I was all panicky with Asha’s intimate approach.

Back at my own place, I made myself a cup of coffee and drifted in my mind, reflecting back on those scenes and moments from the day.

That’s when it rang. It was the phone.It may be Asha! I lifted the receiver.

“Hello?...it’s me.”

And so it was. It was Asha on the line.

This season, our camisole and the u-neck Ts both have a larger dip around the neck so that it won’t show even if you wear the outerwear open or a shirt with few buttons undone. The wider body gives just the right fit without accentuating your body line so that it won’t ride up as you move. We also made it lighter so that it won’t be bulky for a truly comfortable fit.

This is not only for those sweaty summer but also for the winter where you do have concerns for moisture. It is the ultimate of innerwear to weather those temperature differences.

You want to wear it everyday
because it gives you
such amazing peace of mind.

WOMENAIRism
CAMISOLE$9.90

Choose this clothes

WOMENAIRism
SCOOP NECK
SHORT-SLEEVE
T-SHIRT$9.90

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.”