UNIQLO｜LifeWear Story 100 directed by Yataro Matsuura

Asha and I sat at the counter of the coffee stand and began to share what our days were like for the last five years.

“The hardest thing was…”
Apparently, it was a food-related problem with her roommates.

“So I had two roommates, one was a 22-year-old Indian woman and other was a 21-year-old Chinese woman. We all have different values so we would constantly butt heads over menial things. We decided to take turns doing the cooking. But the Indian girl would always make curry and the Chinese girl would always put too much seasoning. I tended to make an easygoing soup. Even if we talked and decided to make something that all of us can enjoy, we ended up making something we wanted to eat ourselves and complained to each other about it. Such situation continued for a while, so dinner time was simply horrifying in the beginning.”

“How did you end up resolving the situation?”

“After a while, we all felt like we’ve had it. A meal is something we should all enjoy so it was really tough that we couldn’t. Because it’s every single day. So, we talked again about what we could do.”

“And?”

“We decided that because we are in Paris, we should stop doing dishes from home but make French food. That way, we’re equal and aren’t forced to bear while the other enjoys it. If you really want to eat your home meals, you either eat outside or at your friend’s who’d cook that dish.”

“Wow, that is a really good idea. You can learn how to cook French. And dinner is something you should be able to look forward to.”

“I know, and this pot-au-feu that the Chinese girl makes, you know what it is, right? A simple pot dish with chunky veggies? Well, it was to die for! As both of us took a spoonful when she first made it, we were ecstatic at how good it was. She was very happy that we praised her dish and it got better and better with each trial.”

“That’s actually pretty brilliant. So what kind of dish did you make, Asha?”

“I also wanted to be praised for my dish so I did my best to make a boeuf au vin rouge. I learned it from a chef at this local restaurant. You slow cook the shin of beef for an hour, then add mashed potato and grill it in the oven like a gratin. It was sooo good!”

“What did the others say?”

“Oh, they loved it. They never said anything nice about my dishes until then but when you see such happy faces with what you made, you want to outdo yourself even more.”

Asha began to name all the dishes she had learned to cook in Paris and how each dish received a glowing praise from her roommates, then how this effort truly improved the relationship between the three.

“The power of cooking is truly something.”

She said then popped a piece of the chocolate donut in her mouth.

This season, introducing the all new denim shirt, everything from material to design. The 100% cotton denim fabric is an update from the 5.5 ounce to a 6.5 ounce-thick material. This is another one of our proud accomplishment as we tested creating samples made with 0.5-ounce differences so that people can enjoy throughout the year. We’ve used the rope dying method to bring out the authentic denim look with its deep colors.

The balance of the color fades was achieved by emulating the jeans created in the Jeans Innovation Center, our denim R&D lab in L.A. You will love the truly authentic tone of the denim.

By the time Asha was ready to leave France, her two roommates had become somewhat of a best friend to her.

“The Indian girl was a master of quiche. She would often put a bit of curry and that actually made it so nice! She would put different ingredients each time and because it was so good, I shared it with my foodie friend and even she said she’s never tasted a quiche this good. The word spread so fast that a local café asked her to bake some for the store so by the time I was leaving, her quiche was so popular in Paris that she opened a quiche specialty store which became a huge success. Isn’t that amazing?!”

“Unbelievable! She only baked a quiche for the first time in Paris, right?”

“Exactly, had it not been for our quarrel over food, her success would never have happened.”

“You know, whatever the problem or trouble, as long as you don’t give up and take it positively to resolve it, you will have a new discovery or in her case, an unexpected and whopping success. That is such a great story.”

“So true.”

“Asha’s bouef au vin, pot-au-feu, quiche, I want to try them all. They must be really amazing,” I said.

Then, Asha made a squishy face, looking so happy.

“By the way, the shirt you’re wearing today. Looks soo good on you, really.”

Suddenly, she said as she reached out her hand and touched the collar of my shirt.

It was a denim shirt, a favorite that I had worn for years.

“Do you remember? This was the shirt that we went to buy together before you left for Paris. The colors have faded and looks beat, but it gets more comfortable as I wear it. This is one of my must-haves now.”

“Oh, yes, I remember. It was at that store in East Village! It shows the good years it has lived through. You know, like I always say, the longer you wear the piece, the more it becomes part of you.”

She continued to say that the truly stylish people in Paris knows how to live and enjoy life. They wear what they love and that’s how they discover their original style or look.

“To ‘fashion’ is to enjoy life…,” I blurted.
“Yes, exactly, it’s not just about looking fabulous,” said Asha.

The clean&slim silhouette has been reshaped to the recent trend of relaxed wear with its roomy shoulders and bust area. A red taping or red selvage is used on the hems to add the vintage detail. The slightly smaller collar, unlikely for a button-down shirt, adds the slightly premium or mode taste within the casual style.

Show your playful side by matching it with the same tone of slacks or an easy-silhouette bottom. Our new standard is here so you can enjoy a wide range of styles.

To enjoy life.
This may be just the shirt
for that.

MENDENIM
LONG-SLEEVE
SHIRT$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.”