UNIQLO｜LifeWear Story 100 directed by Yataro Matsuura｜Waffle Crew Neck Long-Sleeve T-Shirt

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It was when she was getting ready to fly back to New York from Paris.

Asha received a phone call from her home in Ethiopia that her mother was not doing well.

Without a moment of hesitation, she cancelled her ticket to NY and booked one for Ethiopia.

During the 8-hour flight, Asha held onto this small talisman in her hand. It was a crystal her mom gave her when she first started to live alone in NYC.

When she reached the hospital, she saw this frail patient her mom had become and instantly made up her mind to stay here until the end.

“Mom, it’s me, can you hear me?”

She took her mom’s hand and put it on her cheek and spoke. Mom quietly opened her eyes and smiled.

She held Asha’s hand tight, and closed her eyes again.

“She’s not doing so well…,” said her brother.

For Asha, she was a mother but also a mentor in life.

“Just because you got burnt, don’t be afraid of the fire. To live, we need fire…”

“Humans, when we experience the burn only then do we learn that fire is hot. It’s all about learning.”

A while back Asha told her about the regret she feels about the recent romance and asked,

“Mom, why are you so chipper all the time?”

She responded jovially, “Maybe because I’m crying all the time. I’m very teary, you know.”

“Even if you’re not sad, I think it’s not good for your health if you don’t cry. At least, that’s my belief,” she continued goofishly.

The mom who always had the energy and the spirit, who always gave the best encouragement, is now lying in bed in such a state. Asha just could not take it all in.

“Mom, I’ll be here, I won’t leave your side, ok?”

Once again, Asha brought her mom’s hand to her cheek. She then placed the crystal talisman in her hand by her pillow.

This is a waffle crewneck t-shirt which combines the dimensional fabric design and the practicality of the wear comfort. The key is in the fit. It works great as an inner layer, as it has done, but it can also work fine alone with the silhouette which would even look nice and relaxed for the ladies.

This is our proud form perfected after many fittings and adjusting with the focus on improving all aspects, from the balance in the torso to the shoulder area, to the collar area.

Asha stayed at the hospital and continued to look after her mom in the coming days.

There were odd moments when she would open her eyes but most of the time, she was in a coma and they were told that the inevitable could happen at any given moment.

The doctors told the family, “It would be nice if the family can stay with her as much as you can.”

Asha’s father decided to ask someone to take over his work so that he can be by her bedside at all times.

As the two remained by her bedside, Asha spoke about many things with her father with whom she hasn’t seen in the long while.

“So what was life like when you and mom first got married?”

“Well, we had no money. I had just started working for myself and things weren’t going all that well and the monthly budget I passed onto your mom was quite limited. But she would always have this sunny response and said, ‘Just a little more next month would be lovely.’ She knew just the right thing to say to encourage and support me…”

“So we were poor?”

“Indeed. We can laugh about it now. The rent we were paying for our place was rock bottom and even so there was one time I couldn’t make rent. So mom and I, carrying your brother who was still a baby, went to our landlord to ask for an extra month for the rent. The landlord was so kind and said that we didn’t have to pay 2-month rent as long as we keep paying back little each month.”

“Wow, I didn’t know that…”

“I couldn’t stop crying then and vowed to myself, I will not put mom in such a situation. From then, I worked franticly and managed to build my business to what it is now. That was the moment that started all.”

Asha’s dad was recognized as a successful man in Ethiopia running one of the top companies in the country.

“Dad, I remember that t-shirt. You used to wear it all the time.”

Asha put her hand on the t-shirt her dad was wearing which was a white waffle t-shirt.

“Your mom got this for me at some point. She loves clothes made with soft smooth cotton fabric like this.”

Dad spoke proudly showing off his t-shirt.

“Mom, what do you say? Do I look good in this or what?”

He held on to her hand and didn’t let go. Mom continued to sleep, with a peaceful look on her face.

For the collars, we have switched from the ‘binder style’ where the fabric is sandwiched together but to an ‘attached style’ where the collar and the torso fabric are folded into the inner side and machine sewed together from the back side. Though a t-shirt, it won’t show on the top layer when you wear it inside, but also works fine as the only layer.

The unique waffle surface takes in air and retains heat for a comfortably smooth texture as the contact on the skin is reduced. Whether you wear it on the inside or throw on a cardigan over it to add character to the look of the day, this Waffle T will definitely be a confidante in your daily styling.

How it feels on the skin
makes you feel
loved and cared for.

MEN WAFFLE
CREW NECK
LONG-SLEEVE
T-SHIRT P 990

Choose this clothes

KIDS WAFFLE
CREW NECK
LONG-SLEEVE
T-SHIRT P 590

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.”