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Uniqlo: Clear-cut, smart Japanese style
A set of mannequins is seen at Uniqlo Marche Printemps Ginza at trendy Printemps Ginza department store in Tokyo, Japan
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A set of mannequins is seen at Uniqlo Marche Printemps Ginza at trendy Printemps Ginza department store in Tokyo, Japan.
Hip, functional and comfortable fashion products aren't just for the jet-setters.
Japan-based Uniqlo casual wear producer proves this in its affordable, colorful and fun 2013 LifeWear fall/winter collection ' a strong statement that functional fashion is truly for all.
Releasing it in Tokyo recently, Uniqlo put on an artsy tech-savvy exhibition at Belle Salle in the voguish Shibuya area in Tokyo as an alternate to the usual runway show displaying the upcoming season collection.
And yes, the brand has an impressive approach to intertwining fashion, arts and technology.
One hundred and eight mannequins were lined up based on projects in Uniqlo's exhibition area ' without hassle, just pure white, black and Uniqlo's logo in red ' giving a perfect focus to its colorful collection.
With Nicola Formichetti, an Italian/Japanese fashion director and editor who has collaborated with singer Lady Gaga several times, as the stylist, the mannequins showed off inspiring styles from the wide-ranging collection.
Top Japanese hair stylist Katsuya Kamo made a huge contribution to the exhibition with his top-notch imaginative head-piece styling for the mannequins.
Each project in the exhibition has nine mix-and-match different styles.
HeatTech is one of Uniqlo's signatures as the product offers warmth in its comfort fabric for basic T-shirts and underwear without being bulky. It gives warmth, but it is also light at the same time.
This season, the brand introduces newly developed HeatTech items for very cold weather, providing warmth 1.6 times better than regular HeatTech.
Uniqlo claims its HeatTech is a product that feels like the wearer's second skin, thanks to collaboration with the Toray Industries garment company in developing fabrics with ultra-fine fiber, giving silk-like comfort.
New HeatTech products come in V-neck models and 9/10 sleeves for men which perfectly fit underneath shirts. Meanwhile for women, the brand has put camellia oil on its fabrics to maintain humidity in order to give softness and a luxurious feeling for skin.
HeatTech products are available in all colors, including grey, blue and pink, some with a minimal grid motif.
In Ultra Light Down, Uniqlo defines what a real light cloth is, despite its tricky heavy appearance. The project is in the form of jackets, vests, coats and hooded coats which are suitable as outer or innerwear within layered styling.
A masculine red Ultra Light Down jacket with brownish lining is trendy, gives warmth and is functional for a breezy day or night out. Meanwhile, a chic urbanite can wear a simple black Ultra Light Down parka jacket.
Want something else? Take a look at the unique denim print vest for men.
The Ultra Light Down products ' made of 90 percent down and 10 percent fur ' are all equipped with a small pocket-sized bags to keep them folded ' making them perfect for the traveler.
Fleece is considered classic yet expensive clothing in the cold. Uniqlo does its magic, transforming it into top and bottom items for outdoor activity at a cheaper price. In comparison, cashmere cloth is usually sold for tens of thousands of yen. Yet, the brand offers it at less than 4,000 yen (US$40.3).
From classic-cut jackets to stylish print cargo pants ' with comfortable blanket-like fur on the inside, the Fleece is available in fluffy and furry versions, all in colors such as brown, blue, red and camo print.
In Cashmere, Uniqlo offers contemporary and fine-gauge 100 percent cashmere that is soft and warm. It has various cashmere-based products ' from V-neck tops to cardigans ' in 24 colors for women, as well as men's shirts and T-shirts in 25 colors.
Besides that, the brand also provides cashmere-blend products.
As the queen of fabric, silk is on Uniqlo's radar, making it one of its projects. The brand presents silk-based clothes as an everyday luxury with sleek silhouettes and sharp-yet-sinuous designs.
Uniqlo uses high-grade 6A and 5A silk for its products in the form of women's blouses and T-shirts.
Within a casual checkered design, Uniqlo offers a colorful shirt collection which uses soft fabric, light chambray and cool denim for daily wear.
Uniqlo also provides vast options in the form of denim and leggings for men and women.
The brand's famous denim comprises HeatTech denim and windproof jeans, which make them an item hard to resist.
As for leggings, Uniqlo incorporates a ponte knit, which gives a better look for the wearer. The leggings shape up the legs, making them look firmer and longer.
For 2013's winter season, women's leggings are equipped with HeatTech at the waist to add more warmth.
Uniqlo's senior vice president of global research and design Yuki Katsuta said that the brand's main aim was to provide comfortable casual wear for all people around the world.
'Style is fashion. All styling should be your fashion,' said Katsuta.
'We don't want to say, 'Hey this is the trend, you have to wear this'. Your own styling should be your own style. These 108 styles are ours. At the end of the day, you pick your own fashion. We just want to provide the items for everybody.'
' Photos by Niken Prathivi
