On February 17, 2023, UNIQLO announced the release of the 2023 Spring/Summer edition of LifeWear magazine (Issue 08). The free publication aims to promote the UNIQLO LifeWear philosophy of enhancing people’s everyday lives by making them more comfortable. The theme of Issue 08 for Spring/Summer is “The Art of Everyday Life,” which explores the relationship between clothing and daily life. The issue features Spring/Summer styles that incorporate “art” as a creative element, as well as the qualities and skills that enable individuals to approach each day with a positive attitude.
Overview of LifeWear magazine Issue 08 2023 Spring/Summer Issue Magazine: A4 modified size, 120 pages, bilingual Japanese and English
Availability: All UNIQLO Singapore Stores
Special Site: https://www.uniqlo.com/lifewearmagazine/
2023 Spring/Summer Season Showcase and LifeWear magazine Launch Event Highlights
On February 16, UNIQLO held a showcase for its Spring/Summer 2023 Collection at the National Gallery Singapore, which coincided with the launch of the latest issue of LifeWear magazine. Attendees had the opportunity to view the quality line-up by UNIQLO for the season, which combines functionality and aesthetics to create clothing that enhances confidence and uplifts one’s mood. The collection includes moisture-wicking AIRism T-shirts, breezy linen shirts in refreshing hues, and a UV Cut range that protects the skin. The concept of LifeWear is about creating apparel that improves people’s lives.
The showcase draws parallels with the contents of the magazine’s latest issue, bringing the stories behind UNIQLO’s clothing to life.
Left panel of Wardrobe Essentials focuses on the evolution of 11 basic UNIQLO items that anyone would want as a ready part of their wardrobe, including oxford shirts that improve with age, chino pants with an updated, modern silhouette, and print dresses that evoke feelings of elation for spring.
The right panel was based on a visit to Fast Retailing’s Jeans Innovation Centre in Los Angeles from the perspective of a field trip by local kids, Talking Art and Denim in LA showcase denim products that accentuate individuality such as Blue Cycle Jeans along with laser processing and other leading-edge technologies.
Editor-in-chief of LifeWear magazine, Takahiro Kinoshita, was also present to share more about the magazine as a means to unpack the philosophy and concepts behind manufacturing, aesthetics, product functionality and design of UNIQLO.
Q&A with Takahiro Kinoshita, Editor-in-Chief of LifeWear magazine
1. Can you explain the theme of this issue “The Art of Everyday Life?”
The theme was taken from a comment by Cedric Charlier, UNIQLO’s Design Director. In this case, the word “Art” does not simply mean art, but rather “a good way” or “a method” that improves our daily lives. Since our concept of LifeWear is “clothes that make people’s lives better,” then the theme of the special issue focuses on what exactly a comfortable life is, which makes the basis of the concept. Depending on the person, the answer may be art, everyday scenery, soft touch, delicious food, or the presence of important family members and friends.
2. What items do you particularly like this Spring/Summer?
I wear an oxford shirt and denim all year round, and when it gets cold, I put on a sweater or coat, and when it gets hot, I roll up my sleeves or wear a T-shirt, and when I meet people, I wear a suit. Like the feature “Wardrobe Essentials” at the beginning of the magazine, I like those classic items and styles.
3. How can we create our own personal identity with UNIQLO’s “Made for All” items?
I totally understand as I know we have all been starting to wear similar pieces from UNIQLO but when we think about school or corporate uniforms, it is all the same as well right? I think how we wear and style our clothing makes our individual personality shine through. At UNIQLO, we do not consider clothing items as what brings about our individuality but instead accentuates it. We can invest in accessories such as shoes or watches, but for me personally, it is my glasses. You can choose some of your favourite accessories and take care of them, wear them for a long time, and that becomes a part of your style.
4. As a tip for Singapore and neighbouring countries, could you tell us what kind of style you have in the hotter seasons?
AIRism is really comfortable. I did not know what AIRism was before I joined UNIQLO, but in the summer, when I wear it under a shirt, it feels really dry and comfortable. Amongst the AIRism collection, I personally recommend the material called “AIRism Cotton”, which is a combination of AIRism on the surface that touches your skin and cotton on the outside. Although it looks like a regular cotton T-shirt, it is really comfortable to wear. If you have never worn it, trust me, you really should try it out.
About UNIQLO LifeWear
Apparel that comes from the Japanese values of simplicity, quality and longevity. Designed to be of the time and for the time, LifeWear is made with such modern elegance that it becomes the building blocks of each individual’s style. A perfect shirt that is always being made more perfect. The simplest design hiding the most thoughtful and modern details. The best in fit and fabric made to be affordable and accessible to all. LifeWear is clothing that is constantly being innovated, bringing more warmth, more lightness, better design, and better comfort to people’s lives.
About UNIQLO and Fast Retailing
UNIQLO is a brand of Fast Retailing Co., Ltd., a leading Japanese retail holding company with global headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. UNIQLO is the largest of eight brands in the Fast Retailing Group, the others being GU, Theory, PLST (Plus T), Comptoir des Cotonniers, Princesse tam.tam, J Brand and Helmut Lang. With global sales of approximately 2.3 trillion yen for the 2022 fiscal year ending August 31, 2022 (US $16.6 billion, calculated in yen using the end of August 2022 rate of $1 = 138.7 yen), Fast Retailing is one of the world’s largest apparel retail companies, and UNIQLO is Japan’s leading specialty retailer. UNIQLO continues to open large-scale stores in some of the world’s most important cities and locations, as part of its ongoing efforts to solidify its status as a global brand. Today the company has a total of more than 2,400 stores across the world, including Japan, Asia, Europe and North.
America. In 2010 UNIQLO established a social business in Bangladesh together with the Grameen Bank and currently there are around 20 Grameen-UNIQLO stores, mostly located in Dhaka.
With a corporate statement committed to changing clothes, changing conventional wisdom and change the world, Fast Retailing is dedicated to creating great clothing with new and unique value to enrich the lives of people everywhere. For more information about UNIQLO and Fast Retailing, please visit www.uniqlo.com and www.fastretailing.com.