UNIQLO｜LifeWear Story 100 directed by Yataro Matsuura

Encounters are funny. It doesn’t happen because you desire it but appears, without warning, like a single flower petal twirling in air, when you are filled with peace, kindness and contentment. Like a miracle, literally.

The two were seated next to each other on a flight from Paris to New York.

Hayley was under the weather so as soon as she sat down, she wrapped herself in a blanket and shut her eyes. Asha, sitting in the window seat, was completely distraught as it was immediately after her mother had passed away. She kept her sight far out though the window.

For some reason, Asha’s mind kept going back to her fellow passenger, Hayley. The scent that came from her was this lovely soap-like scent Asha used to know that just sitting next to her gave her this strange sense of peace and comfort.

It may have been two hours into the flight when a great turbulence began to wildly shake their plane. Asha felt Hayley suddenly brace herself by holding tightly onto the armrest. Then she would let out few sighs and shut her eyes tight again.

Asha wasn’t good with turbulence so she knew exactly how Hayley was feeling and how she couldn’t help herself from holding tightly onto the armrest.

After a few bouncy moments, there was a sudden thrust downward when Hayley let out a tiny scream. It was at that moment, Asha held Hayley’s hand. The plane kept going through these bumpy phases with no sign of things calming down anytime soon.

“Thank you,” said Hayley to Asha. Throughout this incredibly bumpy ride, the two held their hands tight.

They’ve forgotten how much time had passed when they realized that the plane has finally calmed down. Asha and Hayley quietly and amicably let go of each other’s hands.

“Thank you so much. It was so calming that you held my hand throughout,” said Hayley.

“Oh, believe me, I’m not good with turbulence either. I was so scared that I reached out for your hand so it’s actually a thank you from me…”

Asha shyly laughed. Hayley finally broke out a smile, too.

Hayley took off a light blue cardigan she had on, folded it neatly and put it behind her head like a pillow and gazed over at Asha. “Can I ask you to hold my hand again?”

“Sure, I was thinking the same thing.” Asha took Hayley’s hand. It was small, delicate, yet warm.

“Why are you flying to New York?,”
Hayley asked.

We can’t say enough about our UV Cut Supima Cotton V Neck Cardigan with its smooth texture and beautiful flair. Supima cotton used in the material is rare in that only 1% can be sourced from the all-natural cotton worldwide. Its signature silk-like sheen and smoothness as well as the adequate body are the results of the devotion to the details and processes throughout its development.

Combining the UV cut and machine-washable functions, we aimed to design a cardigan that has the practicality and the fashionability of the LifeWear series that works to serve customers’ daily lives.

The plane kept surprisingly steady that it was unbelievable that there was such turbulence not long ago.

“Oh, yes, I do that, too. I often fold my cardigan like that and use as a pillow. It’s relaxing, right?,” said Asha with a smile.

“A light cardigan like this is so comfortable to the touch that it’s so nice to put your face on it to relax. I’m just not really good with flights,” said Hayley and closed her eyes again.

“So, why are you going to New York?,” she asked Asha once again.

Asha began to talk about her whole story, about us, about how she went to Paris to study, then about her family, and about her mother, almost as to recite a story. All throughout, Hayley listened quietly to Asha’s story, with her eyes closed.

“Listening to your story as I hold your hand, took me back to when I was small when I would do exactly this and chit chat with my little sister…,” said Hayley.

She took a sip of water from her cup and asked Asha, “So what are your dreams?”

“Oh, I had many, so many. They were all my dreams. But then I began to think, if I held onto so many desires and call them dreams, they would never come true. So, for me, I struggle to find a place for this word, ‘dream,’ in my life now. I keep telling myself, I will make this happen. It won’t be just another dream. I tell myself that I can make what I desire a reality. Michael Jordan would say, ‘Just Do It!’ and that’s so me. For me, dreams are my future reality.”

Asha began to lose track of what she was saying but kept rambling on about her strong conviction of how she is going to walk through her life.

“For me, I want to give everything I got in an area I excel the most in. I want to give all my love to someone important for me. Not to be shy but really give all that I have, all that I can.”

said Asha as she gazed out at the color of the sky outside.

“Actually, I’m leaving Paris for New York because of the many sad and painful experience I had. One reason for that is I foolishly thought that someone is going to make my dream come true for me, now that I think about it. I thought I could live, just with my dream but in fact, I found myself to be so weak, afraid to thrust myself into anything…,” said Haley and buried her face in the cardigan pillow.

Asha took Hayley’s hand and whispered, “Just Do It…”

Asha couldn’t get over the fact that Hayley, her fellow passenger, had such a wonderful scent, so much so that she couldn’t help but feel close to her that it wasn’t their first time meeting.

After landing in New York and they said their good-byes, Asha couldn’t get Hayley’s light blue cardigan out of her mind.

The key is in the dimensional pattern that captures both the feminine delicate form and the ease of wear. In particular, we paid a lot of attention to the arm holes and the sleeve caps. The exquisite design in the neckline has ben achieved after many revisions to be both basic and trendy.

Casually tuck it in as a sweater with a high-rise bottom. Or drape it over an easy dress or a washed pair of denims. For the office, put it on with a nice pair of slacks. It can work as that extra layer when it gets chilly on your travels, too. Keep it with you at all times and it will definitely come in handy.

She said,
I can have clothes,
not just to avoid the chills.
I think I get what she meant.

WOMEN UV CUT
SUPIMA® COTTON
V-NECK CARDIGAN $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.”