UNIQLO｜LifeWear Story 100 directed by Yataro Matsuura

I woke up in the morning and it was Asha’s email that reminded me that I was going to be 30 soon.
I had completely forgotten my birthday. I’m gonna be 30, so I thought. At age 30, I’m away from my home and living in Portland, Oregon.

This led me to reflect on what 20s for me was like.

I came to the States with no plans. I learned the book trade business, traveled back and forth between Japan and the States. I married Asha and we had a daughter.

The Portland sky was immensely blue. I blankly gazed up and thought what an intense ten years I had spent. It’s not as though I’ve achieved anything but I still wanted to give myself a pat on the back. A job well done.

So much has happened in the last decade. There were oh so many things and I knew that they were all for building up my basic stamina and that life was about to start.

It’s like I’m finally standing on the starting line or it felt like I finally made it to this point. I have the time, the idea, and the stamina. I have a family I adore. I felt this unfounded confidence in my heart that I can do this, I can come out on top.
Today, I’m to meet Jack at the pizza place for lunch. I thought I’ll walk around downtown Portland for a little while.

The city was full of green with clean passageway. I got a latte in a café that was open from early morning and sat myself down on this chair by the window. I noticed that someone had left “Our Mutual Friend” by Charles Dickens.

I casually took it in hand and flipped it through and noticed that a page was largely folded at the corner and inside was a pencil mark that lightly underlined one of the phrases on the page.

“All of us in the world has a role to play in our society. Everyone is somewhat alleviating the weight of others.”

I felt this phrase hit a chord in my heart.

As I’m about to enter this stage, about to step up to the starting line in my life, what do these words of Dickens mean? What is it trying to tell me? I was surprised at the sheer coincidence of this incident that emerged at this time in my life.

Whatever the job, it is definitely alleviating the weight of someone out there. Helping someone. That’s how I understood work to be. What wonderful words were these! I even felt like I came to Portland so that I would encounter these words.

Deeply moved by these words, I closed the book and put it back on the table when a women came around as though to look for something.

“I knew I left it here. Thank you! Silly me…,” she said with a smile.

The flowing drape is the beauty of this drape blouse. The fabric is a blended rayon, thin and soft. The key is it looks like an ordinary t-shirt from the front but with pleats in the back.

The silhouette gives a soft and rounded impression. It’s a simple basic for anyone to easily fashion but with the eloquent cleanliness which is the result of our proud design to enhance the beauty of woman.

She shrugged and apologetically reached out for the book and put it in her cotton tote bag.

“Great book,” I said.
“I’m embarrassed,” she said.

“Sorry, I had a skim through but it was simply motivating,” I said.
“Dickens is famous for writing the ‘Christmas Carole’ but this is a good book, too. Recommended,” she said.

“Do you mind if I have a seat here? While I was trying to find my stuff, I decided to meet up with my boyfriend.”

She said her name was Jane. She had a white blouse and a pair of relaxed chinos. It was very simple but classy which perfectly fit the city of Portland.

“Are you here for a holiday?,” asked Jane.
“I came from New York to meet up with my friend. I may stay here to work.”

“Work?”

“Yes, I’m a book trader so I’m here to help out this book store.”

“Hey, wait, I work in a book store. It’s the large store just down the street. Aren’t you Japanese?”

Jane had a jolly laugh and said, “What coincidence! Your friend will be here soon who happens to be my boyfriend.”

“What? You mean, Jack?,” I asked.
“Yes, he’ll be here soon. You guys are meeting for lunch. Jack told me all about you and how you’re doing well in New York. Let me formally introduce myself. Hi, I’m Jane,” she said and reached out her right hand.

“Hi, nice to meet you! And what coincidence. I happened to discover this one book at this café in the morning and was moved by this phrase in it and to my surprise, the owner of this book was the girlfriend of my best friend, Jack...small world,” I said laughingly.

“Welcome to Portland. This is a city full of such miracles,” said Jane with a smile.
“I’ve heard all about your project, too, which is actually the project at the book store I work in. The whole of Portland is so excited to see the book store you and Jack will design.”

“The whole of Portland” and phrase from Dicken’s book overlapped inside.

Jane, bathing in the morning sunlight that streamed in from the window was simply glowing.

The refined design, the silhouette that naturally hides the body line – no blouse ever did the two. It’s also added with a dry function and Easy Care making it a perfect piece for women looking to effortlessly spend their busy days.

This season, in addition to the basic colors, we have many pastel colors. From office casual to clean town fashion . This is another LifeWear which will come in handy for your travels.

Simple yet reserved.
Quiet and beautiful.
This is what it’s all about.

WOMEN DRAPE
SHORT-SLEEVE
BLOUSE $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.”