TheCityClassics
New York
Seoul
Berlin
It’s individuals that create fashions and the feeling of a city. Introducing three sets of friends, each styling LifeWear their own way.
Part 1 | New York
Brooklyn artists in a modern preppy style, shining bright against the classic cityscape.
Two bridges, symbols of the city. In the foreground is the Brooklyn Bridge, with the Manhattan Bridge behind it. 'This green windproof jacket is really working for me, both the colour and the fit', says Max.
- Windproof Stand Collar Blouson
- Flannel Shirt (Regular Collar, Checked)
- Straight Jeans(UNIQLO and JW ANDERSON)
- Fleece Lined Stand Blouson
- 100% Cashmere Crew Neck Jumper
- Oxford Boxy Shirt (Striped)(UNIQLO and JW ANDERSON)
- Baggy Barrel Leg Jeans
Max Kolo
Artist, Filmmaker
Focusing on illustration and animation, Max works on everything from digital art to brand collaborations. When he met Teya, the friend joining him today, on a social media campaign, the two quickly hit it off. Max opts for a bright orange PUFFERTECH jacket with deep indigo denim for a strikingly urban ensemble.
- PUFFERTECH Parka
- Flannel Shirt (Regular Collar, Checked)
- AIRism Cotton Crew Neck T-Shirt (Long Sleeve)(Uniqlo U)
- EZY Barrel Jeans
Teya Kepila
Ceramic Artist
'Modern is about inclusivity. In my view, classics have a sense of consistency', says Teya, who runs the ceramic brand The Turmeric Times. She makes her work at her home studio in Brooklyn. Teya took a liking to the windproof parka, which she combined with other white tones in a classic city style.
- Windproof Stand Blouson
- Flannel Boxy Shirt (Checked)(UNIQLO and JW ANDERSON)
- HEATTECH Extra Warm Cashmere Blend Turtleneck T-Shirt (Long Sleeve)(UNIQLO : C)
- Jersey Barrel Leg Trousers
- Socks (3 Pairs)
Working in the studio. The loop-closure collar and cropped fit of the flannel shirt are trendy features.
- Flannel Boxy Shirt (Checked)(UNIQLO and JW ANDERSON)
- Jersey Barrel Leg Trousers
For basic styles like shirts and sweats, don’t skimp on the bright colours. Pictured at a bookstore café in Bushwick.
- Sweatshirt
- Oxford Shirt
- Barrel Trousers(UNIQLO : C)
- Colourful 50 Socks
- Molasses Books
-
770 Hart St, Brooklyn, NY
A street in tranquil Brooklyn Heights. Toss on a classic jacket for a stroll past the brownstones and trees.
- Harrington Jacket
- Sweatshirt
- Oxford Shirt
- Barrel Trousers(UNIQLO : C)
- Relaxed Tailored Jacket (Patterned)
- Polo Shirt (Striped, Long Sleeve)
- Oxford Shirt
- High Rise Wide Jeans
- Fleece Lined Stand Blouson
- 100% Cashmere Crew Neck Jumper
- Oxford Boxy Shirt (Striped)(UNIQLO and JW ANDERSON)
- Baggy Barrel Leg Jeans
- Windproof Stand Collar Blouson
- Flannel Shirt (Regular Collar, Checked)
- Straight Jeans(UNIQLO and JW ANDERSON)
Today’s classics for city living
'To me, modernism is about expanding the boundaries of culture', says Max. 'Today’s classics reinterpret the basics for a whole new generation'.
Max waxes philosophical about the city, befitting someone so immersed in Brooklyn, where new kinds of culture are born every day. It’s safe to say the same applies to clothes and styles. They may look basic, but they’re packed with functional updates like windproof fabric or comfortable padding designed for city living. Because the styles are so authentic, they make you want to mix things up with bold accent colours or a shirt in a new silhouette. Just like the ever-changing cityscape of New York, these basics continue to evolve.
Part 2 | Seoul
Minimal styles and dark tonal colours. Seoul blends modernism and craftsmanship.
Lee Jin Ha
Actor
Debuting in 2017, Lee Jin Ha has worked in dramas, films, and most recently as a model. 'I like checking out the buildings in a city', she says, standing beside one built by the Swiss architectural practice Herzog & de Meuron. The peculiar structure in the foreground is actually a bus shelter. This modern landscape calls for a chic tailored style of complementary dark browns.
- Coated Relaxed Shirt Jacket
- 3D Knit Seamless Merino Blend Ribbed Polo Jumper
- Chiffon Pleated Midi Skirt
- Colourful 50 Socks
Wie Sung Woong
Actor
Wie Sung Woong is an actor working in independent film. Behind him stands Dongdaemun Design Plaza, one of Seoul’s most iconic modern buildings. The casual black denim work jacket, featuring brown corduroy collar and sleeve lining, matches nicely with a gently faded pair of black jeans.
- Coverall (Denim)
- AIRism Cotton Crew Neck T-Shirt (Long Sleeve)(Uniqlo U)
- Baggy Jeans
Located in Yeonnam-dong, sayujib specialises in antiques and work by Korean artists. The body and sleeves of this seamless 3D knit merino blend polo jumper give it a trim and tidy fit.
- 3D Knit Seamless Merino Blend Ribbed Polo Jumper
- Chiffon Pleated Midi Skirt
- Coated Relaxed Shirt Jacket
- sayujib
-
2F, 24, Seongmisan-ro 29-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
This zipped blouson takes cues from vintage workwear. The dark brown has a striking modern look. Pictured in front of GRAPHIC, a book café in Itaewon specialising in comics and graphic novels.
- Zip-Up Blouson(UNIQLO and JW ANDERSON)
- Easy Care Soft Shirt(UNIQLO : C)
- Pleated Relaxed Wide Trousers
- GRAPHIC
-
33, Hoenamu-ro 39-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
A cafe in a hanok, or traditional Korean house. The Uniqlo U dress has a gorgeous drape and uses satin for the skirt.
- Satin Combination Dress(Uniqlo U)
- Colourful 50 Socks
- Utility Jacket(Uniqlo U)
- SEOI gallery Coffee Club
-
102, Gyedong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- Utility Cotton Blend Parka
- Easy Care Soft Shirt(UNIQLO : C)
- HEATTECH Extra Warm Cashmere Blend Turtleneck T-Shirt (Long Sleeve)(UNIQLO : C)
- Brushed Jersey Barrel Leg Trousers(UNIQLO : C)
- MA-1 Blouson
- Flannel Shirt (Regular Collar, Checked)
- Barrel Trousers(UNIQLO : C)
Trend-setting cities
thrive on contrasts
Churning out a steady stream of internationally renowned pop culture, these places are also repositories of minimalist modern buildings and classic masonry structures. Seoul has both in spades, making an understated tonal wardrobe the perfect match. The bold look of a coated jacket, reminiscent of an MA-1 or leather bomber, can be softened through the use of darker neutral colours, for a simple, elegant impression. These two actors agree that Seoul can be summed up as a 'passionate place'. In their view, modern means 'no frills'. Seoul today is all about combining colours to create your own unique brand of minimalism.
Part 3 | Berlin
Clean styles and casual fits. Everyday chic with young actors in Berlin.
Voicu Dumitraș
Actor
Launching his career in 2017, Voicu is currently studying acting at university. He befriended Greta (right) on the set of Club der roten Bänder – Die neue Generation. 'This look works great both for walking around town or for dressing up a bit', he says. The dark blue denim trucker jacket and slim trousers make for a smart fit.
- Denim Trucker Jacket(UNIQLO : C)
- Lambswool Crew Neck Jumper
- Smart 2-Way Stretch Trousers
- Colourful 50 Socks
Greta Krämer
Actor
Greta appeared in Sound of Falling, which won the Jury Prize at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. Describing herself as a UNIQLO fan, she’s pictured here strolling past the World Clock, one of the most famous meeting places in Berlin. Worn with her workwear-inspired compact blouson, her fresh denim culottes create the perfect A-line silhouette. Faded colours suit the modern cityscape.
- Zip-Up Short Jacket
- Soufflé Yarn Crew Neck Jumper
- Soft Ribbed T-Shirt (Long Sleeve)
- Denim Culottes
- Soft Coated Drawstring Bag(Uniqlo U)
Berlin indie bookstore pioneer Pro qm is known for its curated selection. Greta styles her classic coat with a bright red jumper.
- 100% Merino Crew Neck Jumper
- Oxford Boxy Shirt (Striped)(UNIQLO and JW ANDERSON)
- Pleated Skort
- Trench Coat
Voicu’s look combines wide-leg denim with a knit jacket. Ampelmännchen, the walking figure in the green light, and the Television Tower in the background are both symbols of Berlin.
- Trench Coat
- 100% Merino Crew Neck Jumper
- Oxford Boxy Shirt (Striped)(UNIQLO and JW ANDERSON)
- Pleated Skort
- Boots(UNIQLO : C)
- Soft Coated Drawstring Bag(Uniqlo U)
- Knit Jacket(UNIQLO : C)
- Broadcloth Regular Fit Shirt (Button-Down Collar, Striped)
- Barrel Jeans(UNIQLO : C)
- Suede Belt
- Colourful 50 Socks
Opened in 1929 in the middle of the city, Kino Babylon is an independent movie theatre where you can still watch silent movies with live orchestral accompaniment as well as movies screened on film. Voicu’s cardigan is a new item from UNIQLO : C.
- Ribbed Shirt Collar Cardigan(UNIQLO : C)
- Broadcloth Shirt (Checked)
- Pleated Relaxed Wide Trousers
- Coated Blouson(Uniqlo U)
- HEATTECH Extra Warm Cashmere Blend Turtleneck T-Shirt (Long Sleeve)(UNIQLO : C)
- EZY Wide Straight Jeans
- HEATTECH Scarf (Patterned)
- Broadcloth Shirt (Checked)
- Pleated Relaxed Wide Trousers
- Suede Belt
- Ribbed Shirt Collar Cardigan(UNIQLO : C)
Balancing clean and
casual
'Anything can happen anytime! There’s just no way of knowing', says Greta about Berlin, where she was born and raised. With its signature trams, the World Clock in Alexanderplatz, the Television Tower and its status as the home of the German film industry, Berlin has an atmosphere altogether different from cities in neighbouring France and Poland. What allows the city to accommodate such an amazing mix of things and somehow feel so organised is the strong influence of minimalist design, starting with the Bauhaus. This makes casual chic styles just right for a city like Berlin. Think broadcloth shirts or jackets paired with wide-leg denim bottoms and casual outerwear dressed up with smart trousers or classic skirts. Styles that are easy to wear, yet elegant and right for any occasion. This kind of mixing and matching is bound to elevate your daily wardrobe.
- Photography by Kohei Kawashima
- Styling by Mitsuru Kurosawa
- Hair by Izumi Sato (NY), Kyungmi Oh (Seoul)
- Makeup by Aimi Osada, Miki Ishikura (NY), Seo-in Park (Seoul)
- Hair & Makeup by Sayuri Sakairi (Berlin)
- Film by Amin Shaikh
- Coordination by Sako Hirano (NY), Yukiko Yamane (Berlin)
- Chiharu Fujimoto (TANO International)
- Text by UNIQLO