A fall/winter collection that’s not strictly for fall/winter

MANILA, Philippines - When it comes to finding out the key colors and cuts for the next fashion season, ask anyone except Katsumi Kubota of Uniqlo.

“People always ask me that and I never know how to answer, because Uniqlo is not about fast fashion,” the Fast Retailing Philippines, Inc. chief operating officer explains with a smile. “Other brands have designers deciding, ‘Oh, triangles in this color will be the next look;’ it’s all about the next season. But with Uniqlo, we call our products ‘LifeWear’ because they can be worn next season and the one after. They are made for the wearer to experience whatever it is that life offers.”

LifeWear, by the way, is the term they coined for their clothing that fits in with the wearer’s lifestyle instead of the other way around.

He appropriately makes this statement after the global fashion brand’s presentation of its 2013 fall/winter collection last Sept. 26 at the Glorietta 5 Activity Center. Living up to what Uniqlo has been known for, the collection was unfailingly clean and utilitarian, standard fare for the brand that has served as a source for classic basics that make smart building blocks for any wardrobe. But while Uniqlo doesn’t bother duking it out with other labels on the trend scene, Uniqlo plays around with innovative fabric technology that underscores their LifeWear drive. 

At the event, Uniqlo presented the 12 distinct projects that make up the whole collection. Each project is a stand-alone design that also works well when worn together with pieces from the other projects. The 12 projects will be rolled out in all Uniqlo stores within the next couple of months, just in time to help shoppers with their Christmas wish lists.

A highlight project is the Leggings Pants for women and men — separate lines, of course. Made of the double-knit fabric Ponte that feels soft on the skin, Uniqlo’s version of the jeggings look like real denim bottoms: slim, streamlined, and complete with a five-pocket design, a button-fly closure, and a flat waist. They also offer more hold and support with the Ponte fabric’s density, which Uniqlo promises to have an ample 30-percent stretch rate. “They are not too tight and are easy to put on and take off,” Kubota adds.

The idea of men wearing junk-hugging leggings is ludicrous in theory but to prove that their Leggings Pants pour homme are great additions to a guy’s wardrobe, Uniqlo had basketball stars Larry Fonacier, Gabe Norwood, and LA Tenorio don a pair and do the Shukka Roll, a kind of jig that demonstrates how non-constricting the Leggings Pants are. Norwood even offers, “They fit even better than the (pants) I have custom-made.”

Slated to be the new casual pants, Uniqlo’s Leggings Jeans come in a wide range of colors and patterns.

Another exciting project is the Heattech line, the result of Uniqlo’s technical revolution to create clothes that function like second skin. Perfect for the cooler months leading to Christmas, this design project started with the idea of thermal undergarments and grew into the creation of a mini-wardrobe that carries both inner- and outerwear pieces for both men and women. Taking account of the body and adapting to the wearer, Heattech introduces for fall/winter 2013 the “Heattech for the extreme cold,” a new fabric that provides 1.6 times more warmth than previous Heattech products. Kubota reveals, “We’ll be releasing 1.3 billion new Heattech pieces in our stores worldwide in time for the colder season.”

Made with heat-retaining rayon fibers blended in with milk protein, whey, and camellia oil for high moisture retention, the Heatteach fabric feels silky smooth to the skin and is stretchable, anti-bacterial, and deodorizing. Pieces come in V- and round-neck tops, 9/10-sleeve shirts, camisoles, tights, and socks in 10 basic colors and patterns.

The other Uniqlo fall/winter 2013 design projects to look out for are the layering-friendly Ultra Light Down; the water- and windproof Warm Easy Pants; the playfully patterned Cotton Flannel; the contemporary and everyday luxury of silk; the soft, warm, and flattering cashmere; the various indigo shades of denim; the utilitarian shirts; the firm and snugly fitting Ultra-Stretch Jeans; the lightweight and cozy fleece; and Topics, a collaboration with design team 10-Gruppen, which will feature graphic patterns that combine Scandinavian and Japanese designs.

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Uniqlo stores are located at the SM Mall of Asia, SM Aura Premiere, SM North EDSA, SM Fairview, SM Pampanga, and Glorietta 5. Uniqlo will open its latest branch at the SM Megamall D in November.