UNIQLO｜LifeWear Story 100 directed by Yataro Matsuura

The elderly lady who suggested Asha to learn fashion design in Paris was named Ms. Renee.

“There is one thing I can say as someone who’ve lived many more years than you. What you need in your 20’s is encounters with many people. Who you meet in this decade is oh so important. To see many things that you don’t know or understand, to see the wider world. For that, you need to be free. You can’t be tied down to something and you shouldn’t do that to yourself either,” she said to Asha.

“I couldn’t do the many things I wanted to do for my late daughter. I think of you as my daughter and if you have this dream, I want to do my best to support that. So don’t hesitate to accept my offer. I want you to use this time now for the future you envision for yourself. For that, I want you to learn fashion design in Paris.”

Asha wanted to happily accept Ms. Renee’s generous offer. Also, Paris was a city she had dreamed of visiting one day.

“I can’t speak French but do you think that will be ok…?”

“Don’t be silly. If you can’t speak the language, you study. Don’t make your present inability your excuse. What’s more important is whether you want to visit Paris or not. That’s all. That’s the decision. New encounters are never without anxiety. But if you focus on that, you can’t do anything.”

Asha felt so happy because Ms. Renee’s words were truly the words of a mother.

“I want to go to Paris and study fashion design.”
Truth be told, this was initially the thought in her mind when Ms. Renee suggested she join her in Paris. But going to Paris has an impact on our relationship. This was what was troubling Asha.

In Central Park, the yellow leaves were covering all the pathways, decorating the city in the beautiful autumn colors. Asha and I walked, taking each step carefully over the carpet of colorful fallen leaves.

“In the Snoopy book you gave me, it said happiness is walking over the fallen leaves with the one you love. When we walk in hand in hand like this, I really feel that this is true.”

“You’re right. The soft crunching of the fallen leaves feel so good that I want to just keep walking.”

“Hey, so can you choose me a coat?”
I was surprised that she asked me this, completely out of the blue. Because to that point, she had never asked me for anything.

“I want you to choose me a warm coat.”

Asha said to me, one more time.

Looks like a solid wool but feels so light – this is the key feature of our new Lightweight Wool-Blend Coat. The secret is the wool material with a hollow fiber. A special spinning technique that creates an airy layer inside the fiber adds fullness to the fabric for lightness and warmth.

Another challenge in our pursuit of fabric lightness was the pilling. With many trial and error, we have created this original fabric that is of premium expression, so smooth and pilling-free.

The cold autumn breeze was creating little performances by the fallen leaves in Central Park here and there.

“Because winter in Paris will be cold…,”
Asha said quietly.

In my heart, I was saying, “I know. I know the best thing is for Asha to go to Paris because that’s her dream.”

But I remained silent for a while as we continued to walk and said, “Ok, yup. Let’s pick out a coat for you…”

“I want something really warm. Light wool with a hood, and deep pockets. In light blue or grey may be nice, too. I can wear a nice warm sweater underneath or a winter scarf. I would wear that even in snow. In Paris…”
By this time, tears were welling up in her eyes. She was mustering up everything she had to sound bubbly to tell me this.

“I will choose gloves and a winter scarf for you. Because New York is cold, too.”

Asha was gazing far into the woods in Central Park.

“I’ll send you a delicious cookie, your favorite, from Paris. I’m sure there are loads of places more delicious than New York. I’ll also send you photo book that you might like if I find one in a book store. I think there are many great antique book shops in Paris. I’ll write a lot. Ooh, also French jams, honey…”

By this time, tears were rolling down her cheeks. I hugged her tight. With her face plopped against my chest, she said, “I’ll go to Paris…I’m so sorry.” Then the waterworks came. The only thing I can do was to continue to hold her tight in my arms.

The next day, Asha and I had a simple breakfast of coffees and cookies.

“I thought about us, what we should do from now…I love you and I don’t want this to end. I’ll be going to Paris but I don’t want us to split up. I’m sure this doesn’t make sense but I think if we don’t want to, we don’t have to break up. What do you think?”

“I don’t know how I would feel once you leave New York. I love you, Asha and I don’t want to break up so I can understand what you are saying and I agree. But let’s not tie each other down. Don’t be too mindful of each other, too. So, let’s promise to always be honest to each other. And about our feelings, too. Ok, two promises.”

“Ok, yes, you’re right. Thank you…”

Asha dipped her cookie in the coffee, had a bite, then held my hand that was on the table.

“Ok, I’ll give it a shot, in Paris.”

Then there were tears no more.

The standard design has been spruced up with some trend with the relaxed shoulder and a cocoon-like silhouette. This is a full-fledged winter coat with solid quality buttons and an inner layer. It’s a true all-rounder that goes with turtleneck & skinny pants, a casual look with a long skirt, right down to a clean ensemble with a straight pants with a light knitted top or a shirt.

Hang it over the shoulder when the chill sets in during autumn. Wear it with a down jacket inside for a full-blown winter chill. This is a must-have to brave the season to come.

Being loved.
The thought and the touch
makes you so warm and happy inside.

WOMENLIGHTWEIGHT
WOOL-BLEND
HOODED COAT$99.90

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.”