UNIQLO｜LifeWear Story 100 directed by Yataro Matsuura

Asha loves freedom.

“Freedom, the way I see it, is about having a common sense and conscience and remaining true to yourself, not bound by existing rules. If rules are necessary, you make them yourself. It’s about questioning whether you follow rules by others. Also, freedom is about solitude. I’ve always felt so. Humans enter their life solo and die solo, right? So, loneliness is a precondition to life. So, we’re all the same. That’s why it sounds strange to feel sad about the state of solitude. You need to embrace loneliness. But you are not alone. Because we are all alone, we value this connection with others. This lets us love others.”

Asha kept going, in my arms, as we sat on a bench at Washington Square Park.

“I am really excited about the clothes you’re going to design, Asha. You said you wanted to design clothes that people can relax in and help them in their lives, lets them be free. I wish such clothes existed.”

That afternoon, Asha and I were invited to Toko-san’s, the Japanese lady that lives in New York.

I told Asha about how Toko-san and I had this chance meeting in Central Park and have been friends since. She had been saying she wanted to meet Toko-san in person and I wanted to introduce her to Toko-san as well.

Toko-san lived in this modern apartment house on Broadway on the Upper West Side.

When we arrived, she gave us such a warm welcome.

In the great big living room of hers, there were many art works displayed to which Asha couldn’t contain herself saying, “Wow! Amazing!”

She prepared a lovely matcha tea for us all.

“I’m sorry, I should have Japanese sweets with this, but you’ll have to do with a cookie I baked myself.”

“Please, they look very tasty. I must say you have a really lovely house. I am in awe of all the art work.”

To this comment from Asha, Toko-san responded after taking the matcha tea cup in both her hands.

“Thank you. I like art that makes people happy when they see it. Also, I’m always thinking whether it’s possible to hang my personal life or something I create myself on the wall.”

“You mean, decorate and see?” asked Asha.

“That’s right, whether you can hang it and enjoy is very important.”

Replied Toko-san as she squinted and looked over the pictures and photographs on her wall.

The beauty of a Circular Skirt is the classy silhouette that sways ever so softly like air with each move. It was all about creating this beautiful A-line flare, and the secret is in the fabric.

It’s made with cotton-twill, sturdy but stretchable. A prewash gives it body and softness, maintaining its full volume and beautiful spread. It’s crease-resistant even after a wash, making it an easy-care item.

Toko-san walked up to one of the paintings on the wall. It was by an artist named Alex Katz.

“It’s whether you can present your every day, your work, your life in a single painting worth looking at. That’s how I look at it. Whether it’s a good enough work that is simple, easy-to-understand, and makes anyone want to hang it on the wall to admire. I’m a bit strange, I know,” she said and laughed.

“Not at all. I can certainly understand. It’s not how pretty or amazing but whether people want to admire it or not. Whether it will help others, their lives, or is there a story others can appreciate or relate to, right?”

Hearing these words from Asha, Toko-san pulled Asha, sitting on the sofa, close to her and gave her a big hug.

“You are a lovely person. Exactly. Life is about freedom. It’s not worth it if it can’t be hung on the wall, even if it’s free. You have to live a life that gives joy to the people who see it as it hangs on the wall,” she said, holding Asha’s hands.

“I heard from him that you want to design clothes. Then forget about trends. It’s best if you design clothes that are comfortable and that you can wear for a long time. Design clothes that let people move away from chasing a trend and spend less as a result.”

“Thank you, I agree. I want to design clothes that can help people in their everyday life, clothes that let them be who they are, to support their effort to live free.”

I was sincerely glad that I got the two together. This was the first time they met, but it looked as though Asha was her daughter. That’s how close they had become.

“Asha, there’s something I want to give you. I hope you will accept it.”

Toko-san brought a neatly folded fabric from the back.

“Wow, I wonder what this is? Can I spread it out?” said Asha.

“This, is a skirt that I designed myself back in the day. Do you know what a circular skirt is? It goes around like this, light, and has a beautiful silhouette. I think this will look great on you.”

Asha took off her denim pants right there and then and tried on the skirt presented to her by Toko-san.

“See! When you move, it flows, so beautiful and lovely! Look, look! It makes you want to dance. This is the kind of clothes I want to design. Thank you, Toko-san!”

Asha twirled in front of the mirror, marvelled at how the skirt moves, and moved about like a giddy school girl.

The elastic waist in the back is not restrictive yet gives it a clean and easy fit. The auto-lock on the zipper leaves you worry-free from any unzipping.

So, enjoy a proper look with a shirt and short jacket with a pair of heels. Or take advantage of the stitching in the waist and pockets for a casual look with t-shirts and sneakers. From commuting to the weekends, this is the LifeWear that knows how to always work for you.

Want to keep
seeing myself in the mirror.
This light, classy and beautiful
skirt I love.

WOMENCOTTON
HIGH-WAIST
CIRCULAR
SKIRT$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.”