I’m loving this issue of LifeWear magazine so much that I decided to do a review on it. For this intrepid traveller, the reason why I adore this is that it is centred on people even though it serves as promotional material for UNIQLO. Right off the bat, we are treated to snapshots of 18 disparate individuals in New York and find out a bit about their lives and their hobbies. It’s like the UNIQLO clothes are an afterthought, but of course, if I find someone whom I can relate to, I will check out the clothes he’s wearing, right? It’s ingenious product placement. If snippets seem superficial to you, you can read the feature article on Okinawans and deep dive into why they choose to live in Okinawa and their relationship with their chosen land. Humans are cut from diverse bolts of cloth, and it’s just so fascinating to peek into the stuff that rocks one’s boat.
LifeWear magazine is part anthological guide, part travel manual. I also enjoyed the travel guide to Taipei and gobbled up the recommended attractions and activities. And where does UNIQLO come in?For one, I now know that UNIQLO TAIPEI is located at Zhongxiao East Road. For another, the souvenir column features UT T-shirts which are the products of collaboration with local brands like Simbalion and HeySong. You get a sense of how UNIQLO attempts to integrate itself into the lives of the communities it sets its mark on, thus igniting sparks and creating creative items. Another article has Ben Davis, a writer for Monocle (I incidentally learnt that my favourite magazine hails from the United Kingdom), posing his best at several prime spots in Ginza. If I didn’t know before that there is UNIQLO COFFEE, I do now. And yes, I want to pay it a visit at Ginza Komatsu East Bldg.
I even found an interview with Shingo Kunieda, a wheelchair tennis player. This could complement my lesson on Nick Vujicic, the one who was born without any limbs. Not that I would take the time to do so, given the pressures of school, but it’s good to know that I could refer to this article for inspiration if I am struck by a thunderbolt of determination.
LifeWear magazine celebrates the human experience. Get this at your nearest store!