UNIQLO｜LifeWear Story 100 directed by Yataro Matsuura

After she told Ms. Renee of her decision to go to Paris, Asha’s mind was set.

“I’m so pleased, so happy. Paris welcomes you with open arms. It’s like a dream, living with you in Paris!”

“Ms. Renee, thank you. I will work really hard to study fashion design in Paris so that I can repay for your generosity.”

Asha had nothing but sincere gratitude for Ms. Renee.

“Nonsense. I consider you as family. That’s why nothing would make me happier than for you to relax and enjoy Paris. That’s all I ask for,” said Ms. Renee and put her hand on Asha’s shoulder. Paris was only a week away.

Asha went back to her apartment and started to pack her things.

“Oh, such memories with this fleece…” she said as she unfolded the cream-colored fleece jacket that was stacked in the closet. She was recalling the first winter when she came to New York way back when.

Growing up in Ethiopia, Asha had never experienced a cold winter until she came to New York, let alone own a sensible wardrobe for the season.

“I never thought a winter in New York could be that cold. I was really surprised…It was also the first time I had seen snow,” said Asha.

“That’s why I went to SoHo to buy warm clothes with my friend. That’s when I saw fleece for the first time and thought, my gosh, such warmth and comfort! It was a shocker. Fluffier and lighter than a blanket, with a texture that you want to bury your face in forever. It’s like you are inside a warm bed! I thought this was a magical piece of clothing, and that’s when I bought this fleece jacket.”

Asha put on her fleece, zipped up to her chin, put her hands in her pocket and said, collecting her thoughts, “Aah, yes, this warmth is so magical. I remember the heating wasn’t great at the first apartment I lived in, so I went to sleep with this fleece on. Wearing fleece to sleep had such dream-like comfort…”

“I have to have this fleece in Paris!” said Asha and took the fleece jacket off, neatly folded it and put it in the box bound for Paris.

The Furry Fleece Jacket was designed to achieve the best texture. It all started with the UNIQLO fleece boom. The original fleece texture and colors were all masculine, so we decided to design fleece for women with longer fleece fibers.

The fibers have become longer and softer now — a true evolution. You can wear it directly over your bare skin because it won’t be as scratchy. We proudly present our fleece this season.

“Yes, I think I’ve packed all the clothes I need,” said Asha and curled up inside my arms like a cat.

“I so love it here, too… so warm,” she said.

To think, in a week, we couldn’t see each other anymore. We’ve spent so much time together in New York that I was having a hard time getting my head around it.

Asha closed her eyes and seemed to be dozing off but suddenly, blurted out with a soft voice.

“I want us to promise each other something…”

“What is it? What kind of a promise?”

“I’ll be going to Paris in a week. From then on, we won’t be able to see each other. How long is that going to be? How are we going to keep our relationship? All these things are running through my head.”

“I actually tried not to think about it because the thought of not being able to see each other just made me feel so sad, truly.”

“But we can’t see each other. Is that what you want?”

“It’s not but I don’t know what to do. Because you’ll be leaving soon for Paris.”

“Are you not going to ask when I’m going to come back?”

“I want to, but I thought if I did, you wouldn’t know what to do.”

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me, to learn fashion in Paris, so, of course, I want to make the best of it. But I love New York. I know I’ll be coming back. In… five years. I’ll study in Paris for five years. Why don’t we try to meet up in front of the Coffee Shop, where we had our first date, in five years? If we still love each other, we can meet. If not, then, that’s that. Even if we’re not going to break up, we still won’t be able to see each other for a long time. So let’s plan for a date in five years. It would be hard to part as it’s so unsettling not knowing what will become of us.”

Asha wasn’t sure whether her idea was good or bad, but she suggested that we should have this future promise between us to give ourselves some kind of closure to deal with the sorrow.

Without seeing each other for the five years, if you still believe the other is the one, you go to the meeting point.

I thought it would be better if we broke up. But she said that this promise will help her to keep going in Paris. I thought that may be true for me, too. We’ll both learn, work hard, and grow to be whole new people to see each other once again.

“Ok, deal. It’s kind of romantic to have a date planned in five years.”

As soon as I said this, the wave of sadness came over and tears started to well up.

“I’m so sorry, I know this is a strange promise, but I really want to give it a shot in Paris for the next five years…”

Relaxed around the shoulders, but with a clean line from underarms to hem. With the armhole shifted slightly to the front, there’s more room for your arms to move. No stitching around the pocket keeps it intact. Major upgrade with colors, too. In addition to the more outdoorsy colors, we now have beige, pink, and other nuanced tones, as well as the fresh hues.

So why not enjoy it as a middle layer, slightly revealing the longtexture and color? Or roll it up in your bag to prepare for the sudden chill.

It lets you forget
not just the chills but the sadness, too.
My fleece,
so magically warm.

WOMENFLUFFY YARN
FLEECE
FULL-ZIP JACKET$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.”